The temple breathed like a beast—slow, smoldering, coiled in silence.

Long crimson drapes stirred as if sighing secrets to one another. The scent of incense clung to the air—sweet, sharp, with an undertone of something more ancient, like scorched offerings and ash-drenched vows.

Mo Jue stood in the center, bare-chested, muscles drawn tight beneath his golden skin. His claws were halfway unsheathed, and scales bloomed like wildfire along the curve of his spine and throat.

He had seen it.

Xuan’s hand—hovering too long on Yan Rui’s arm.

Yan Rui smiling—soft, open, the way he never smiled at Mo Jue.

> You let him in too easily, Mo Jue thought, fury curling in his veins like venom. You look at him like he still has part of your soul...

The serpent inside him stirred.

Breath hitched. Jaw clenched. Heat rose—not just from rage, but want. Dangerous, wild, unmet want.

The golden glow in his eyes deepened, flickering like twin suns behind storm clouds.

He could feel it happening again—this unraveling.

Then—

> “Mo Jue,” came Yan Rui’s voice, calm but curious.

The sound sliced through the tension but didn’t cool it. If anything, it lit the fuse.

Mo Jue turned.

Yan Rui had stepped into the chamber, unaware of what he'd walked into. His loose robe swayed with his steps, black hair tumbling over one shoulder, eyes soft in the lamplight.

He froze when he saw Mo Jue's expression.

> “What happened to you?” Yan Rui asked quietly.

Mo Jue’s voice came low, nearly trembling.

> “Leave.”

> “What—”

> “Leave. Before I forget the line between man and beast.”

But Yan Rui took another step forward.

> “No. Not this time. You don’t get to shut me out.”

Mo Jue stared at him.

And something inside broke.

He surged forward, grabbing Yan Rui by the collar and shoving him back—into a carved pillar, draped in silk.

Not enough to harm, but enough to make Yan Rui gasp.

Their bodies pressed together—heat to heat. Magic thrummed in the air like a struck chord.

Yan Rui looked up at him, breath uneven.

> “Is this you being a god again?”

> “You let him touch you,” Mo Jue snarled, voice raw. “Like you were his to take.”

> “And what are you, then?” Yan Rui snapped, eyes blazing. “Another cage?”

Mo Jue’s lips hovered a breath from his. His voice dropped to a rasp.

> “I am trying not to lose myself. But every time I see you… every inch of me wants to taste you.”

He leaned in—and kissed him.

Their lips met with searing heat.

It wasn’t soft.

Mo Jue kissed hard, crushing their mouths together.

Yan Rui tried to pull away, but he was no match for Mo Jue's strength.

It was brutal—hungry, desperate. Mo Jue kissed like he was starving, like he’d waited lifetimes. His fangs scraped lightly against Yan Rui’s lower lip. Their mouths collided—breathless, furious, overwhelming.

Yan Rui stiffened. He tried to stop him.

But Mo Jue only deepened the kiss, swallowing the protest, his hand sliding along Yan Rui’s waist, fingers trembling.

He grabbed at Yan Rui’s clothes, tugging them harshly—fabric sliding down his shoulders.

> “Mo Jue, please—stay awake,” Yan Rui gasped.

Yan Rui pushed hard, but Mo Jue’s grip didn’t falter.

He kissed along Rui’s neck, leaving bruising marks, sucking hard until the skin was red and bitten. Rui’s mind spun—he couldn’t think straight.

Again, their lips met—Mo Jue’s tongue twisted against his, claiming, devouring.

Then Mo Jue’s hand slid lower—from Rui’s throat down to his toned, trembling waist.

He broke the kiss and looked down.

Yan Rui was shaking, eyes wide, voice trembling.

> “Mo… I won’t forgive you if you continue like this.”

Mo Jue’s eyes flickered.

And for a brief second… he stopped.

---

End of chapter 18