He opened his mouth to thank her—
"Perfect timing," Yalena cut in suddenly, smiling as she leaned closer against his side. "We can share that."
Riven froze, staring down at the blood-slicked heart in his palm and then at Yalena's ever-present grin. "You've got to be kidding me."
But Yalena only laughed softly, her golden eyes gleaming. "Come now. Wouldn't it be cruel to deny me sharing a meal… passionately with you?"
Arixa tilted her head, looking curiously between them, antennae twitching. "Father… will you taste it first?" she asked innocently. "It's sweeter that way."
Riven sighed heavily, the phantom flavors of blood and meat still flooding his mouth from the Hive link. His claws tightened slightly around the pulsing heart, the core glowing brighter as though reacting to him.
Riven hesitated, then finally sank his teeth into the heart. Warm blood spilled over his tongue, thick and rich, the faint sweetness of the core suffusing the taste. His eyes widened despite himself. Gods… it's like braised honeyed meat, tender and savory all at once. The phantom sensations from the Hive paled against this vivid, personal bite.
❖ [Subterranean Beast Core Consumed]
❖ [Vitality +10]
❖ [Physical Resilience +10]
❖ [Hive synchronization efficiency: +2%]
A rush of warmth flooded his limbs, leaving his muscles taut and his senses sharper. He blinked, surprised at how immediate the change felt.
Before he could dwell on it, Yalena's voice came soft and teasing beside his ear. "I hope you haven't forgotten me, Riven."
He glanced at her, then sighed, cutting a piece free with the edge of his claw. "Fine. Here. Take it." He held it out expectantly, certain she would pluck it from his hand with her own claws.
But instead, Yalena leaned in slowly. Her lips parted, mandibles flexing faintly as she lowered her mouth toward his hand.
Riven's brow furrowed. Wait… is she—?
She bit delicately into the meat while it still rested in his palm, her golden eyes never leaving his. Warm breath brushed against his knuckles as she chewed, savoring every bite.
When she finished, she didn't pull away. Instead, her tongue slid across his fingers, licking the blood that coated his claws.
Riven stiffened, his first instinct to yank his hand back—but before he could, Yalena's hands shot up, grasping his wrist with firm, graceful strength. She held him in place, her lips trailing lightly against the grooves of his carapace as she cleaned the crimson stains.
His breath hitched. Something sweet drifted from her skin—a subtle, intoxicating scent that wasn't blood. It made his chest tighten, his pulse quicken, heat creeping up his neck.
A bead of blood rolled down from her lip, tracing along the curve of her throat before slipping lower, sliding across her collarbone and vanishing between the valley of her cleavage.
Riven swallowed hard, his claws trembling in her grasp.
Yalena looked up at him, golden eyes locking with his. She saw the flicker of heat in his expression, the way his gaze lingered despite himself. A slow, knowing smile spread across her face, and she chuckled softly.
"Mm… my brood mate really does have a sweet side."
❖ [Warning: Queen Yalena – Status Shift Detected]
❖ [Condition: Fertility Cycle Active]
Riven blinked, his claws stiffening in her grasp. What the hell does that even mean?
❖ [Clarification: Your Queen is in heat.]
Riven nearly choked, his mind stuttering to a halt. …WHAT!?
Riven's mind reeled.
In heat?
The words echoed like a curse.
This stupid System better be broken. That can't mean what it sounds like it means.
Before he could even put his thoughts in order—
"Riven."
Her voice came again, softer this time. He turned toward her, and before he could speak, she leaned closer, her antennae brushing against his own. The sudden contact sent sparks racing through the Hive link, his senses buzzing with strange static.
She lay her head on his shoulder, cheeks flushed as she locked eyes with him. She looked so innocent yet daring, so peaceful yet mischievous, as if she was on the brink of losing control yet was fully aware of what she was doing.
And yet Riven couldn't help but be momentarily captivated by that gaze.
"I want to mate."
She whispered ever so gently, completely catching him off guard.
"Wha—Yalena, not here, not—"
But she didn't wait for his response. One hand rose, slowly, pressing against his chest. Her claws traced along his carapace with infuriating patience, sending heat crawling up his neck.
"Does that mean no?" Yalena whispered. "Do you not want to?"
Her lips grazed his neck, brushing the skin so lightly it made his whole body jolt. A rush of static shivered through the Hive link.
Riven bit down hard, trying to steady his breath. Gods, she's—
"You did so well today," she continued, her lips dangerously close to his ear. Her claws pressed into his chest, not enough to pierce, just enough to remind him she could.
"Don't you think it's expected… that I reward you?"
His lungs felt tight. "Yalena… don't—"
The Hive System flickered before his eyes, its sterile voice utterly at odds with her sultry tone.
❖ [Warning: Royal pheromone saturation detected.]
❖ [Risk: Extended exposure may cause involuntary instinctual compliance.]
❖ [Effect: Hive Lord behavioral pattern will momentarily change.]
Riven's gut clenched. Compliance? What the hell—
"I don't—" he stammered, shaking his head, but the words tangled on his tongue.
Yalena's antennae brushed against his own, sliding slowly, deliberately, sending shivers down his spine. "Then why," she whispered, "are you trembling, Riven? Why does your body lean toward me?"
"I… I'm not… I'm—" His words broke apart into a shudder.
The System cut in again, clinical, relentless:
❖ [Warning: Sensory overload approaching critical threshold.]
❖ [Prolonged proximity to Queen's pheromones may trigger behavioral realignment.]
❖ [Instinct override probability: 42% → 57% → 68%]
Her lips hovered over his jaw, close enough that her breath tingled against his skin. "Come now, it's not like I'm going to bite you like last time… I'll only move how you want me to… brood mate."
At those words…
He suddenly snapped, sweeping her off her feet, startling her as he began to approach the central chamber.
❖ [Warning: Hive Lord resistance compromised.]