Chapter 173: Torturous

It wasn't long before Esmeralda, with her wings still fluttering from the flight, reunited with Ophelia and Rhaziel. Together, they made their way back to the mountain's surface. As they descended, the landscape beneath them was a mix of jagged rocks and snow-covered terrain, the remnants of the battle that had just taken place. They soon encountered Nikolai, Lev, Sasha, and Vladmir, who were waiting for them amidst the rocky outcrops. As Ophelia landed gracefully and her wings disappeared into a shimmer of golden light, she barely had time to steady herself before Nikolai swept her into his arms. He lifted her effortlessly, a deep chuckle rumbling in his chest as he spun her around. The sheer joy in his eyes was unmistakable, a stark contrast to the intensity of the situation they had just faced. "You made the mountain tremble with your presence, my love," Nikolai murmured, his voice filled with a mix of pride and relief. His scarlet eyes, usually so fierce, softened as they met Oph