“What’s wrong?” I turned to look at Magnus.
The rocking chair no longer moved on its own. I could only rely on the tips of my toes to gently sway it back and forth.
In the next moment, Magnus said, “How about we take a walk in the woods? It’s too small here.”
I nodded without objection.
He took my hand and led me into the forest.
For some reason, although the forest looked vast and endless, it seemed to stretch on forever. The further we walked, the darker it became, as if no light could penetrate its depths.
Yet, inexplicably, I felt a strange sense of comfort here. Compared to the sanitarium, I preferred this dark, mysterious forest where who knew what wild beasts might be lurking.
Oddly enough, I wasn’t afraid of this place.
I couldn’t quite understand my thoughts at that moment, but somehow, I felt more at ease and even happy in this environment.
I followed Magnus deeper into the woods.
We hadn’t walked far when Magnus suddenly pressed me against a nearby tree.
His tall frame loomed over me, enveloping me completely.
Inexplicably, the usually gentle and approachable Magnus now exuded a powerful aura that made me feel small.
I looked up at him, and the next moment, Magnus smiled and cupped my chin. He lowered his head and kissed my lips.
I hadn’t expected Magnus to kiss me; I wasn’t even prepared for it.
At that moment, Magnus pulled me into his arms, one hand holding the back of my head while the other secured me tightly against him.
His lips claimed mine with urgency, his tongue slipping into my mouth.
For some reason, as he kissed me, another person’s face suddenly flashed through my mind.
Once, I had been kissed like this by someone else.
That person was entirely different from Magnus. His kisses were intoxicatingly intense, unlike Magnus, whose kisses were gentle and cautious, as if afraid of making me uncomfortable.
Magnus treated me like a fragile treasure, handling me with the utmost care.
By the end, my body went limp in his embrace, and I found myself gasping for air in his arms.
“It seems you need to learn a thing or two about kissing,” Magnus chuckled softly, holding me close.
“But haven’t we kissed before? Why am I still so bad at it?”
For some reason, I couldn’t recall kissing Magnus much. Otherwise, why did I have no memory of it at all?
Instead, the kisses I’d shared with Kael came to mind more vividly…
It was strange.
Magnus laughed lightly when he heard me. “Yes, your memory isn’t great because your illness hasn’t fully healed. That’s why you keep forgetting things.”
“Still, if I count them up, we haven’t kissed more than ten times.” Magnus couldn’t help but chuckle as he said this.
After speaking, he leaned down and kissed me again.
His lips burned against mine, like fire searing through me.
I was stunned.
His actions were playful, almost as if he were savoring something delicious.
Had he started treating my lips like food?
I was shocked.
Just as I thought I’d pass out from lack of air, Magnus finally let me go.
When he released me, he smiled. “Well, Seraphina, that makes ten kisses now. But I’m not done yet.”
Under the night sky, his blue eyes darkened to a deep navy, shimmering faintly like stars in the darkness.
This time, he lifted me into his arms, spreading my legs to wrap around his waist.
Then, he kissed me again.
He kissed me endlessly, as if he could never get enough.
Over and over, until my mind grew hazy and lightheaded.
I had no idea how much time had passed before Magnus finally stopped. He smiled and said, “Alright, Seraphina, now we’ve kissed ten times.”
I touched my swollen lips, feeling dazed.
Magnus had kissed me so many times that my body felt weak, my legs trembling beneath me.
I suddenly realized how fragile I was. Look at Magnus-he could still carry me effortlessly.
“When will I finally get better?” I buried my head in Magnus’s chest, feeling a little frustrated.
“Soon, Seraphina. Just hang in there a little longer,” Magnus comforted me. “Your parents will come to take you home, and I’ll get to meet them too.”
“By the way, Seraphina, do you think your parents will mind me dating you?” Magnus’s tone carried a hint of worry.
“They won’t,” I said with a smile. “My parents are very open-minded, and you’re a doctor-a highly respected profession.”
“Maybe we’ll meet them next week,” Magnus said.
“Can you take me downstairs every day until then? Staying in that hospital room all the time is suffocating,” I said, frowning in frustration.
“Of course, Seraphina. I’ll grant any request of yours,” Magnus said quickly.
As he spoke, he reached out and touched me.
I felt the warmth of his hand through the thin fabric of my clothes, his touch sending a soft heat through my body.
I felt myself growing weaker, unable to stand on my own.
Magnus had complete control over me, and an unfamiliar desire stirred within me.
Yet, somewhere deep inside, a small voice whispered that Magnus was lying to me. I wasn’t sick at all, and I needed to escape this place.
I thought about running into the forest. Maybe I could find a way out.
But looking around at the endless woods, I had no idea how far I’d have to go or what dangers might lurk within.
Could I really escape on my own?
Worry crept in.
Just then, my heart began racing wildly, and a faint ringing filled my ears.
I glanced toward the forest in the distance.
Something-or someone-was coming.
I felt it.
Before I could react, Magnus took my hand. “Alright, we’ve been out long enough. Let’s head back.”
I stared at him, wide-eyed. “No, I don’t want to go back.”
For some reason, I had a strong feeling that if I stayed here a little longer, I would be saved.
“Be good, Seraphina. We’ve been out for quite a while, and it’s time for you to rest,” Magnus said, his expression darkening.
His smile was gone, replaced by a furrowed brow.
In the end, Magnus led me back to my room.