Chapter 154: Dawn of Gods (3)

Nikolai's lips curled into a grin at her words, a rare, genuine smile that softened his usually stern features. "You're quite fascinating," he murmured, closing his eyes as if to seal away the moment from any interruptions. Ophelia's smile mirrored his, though a flicker of concern crossed her golden eyes, causing them to glow with an ethereal light. "Oh no!" she suddenly exclaimed. She quickly stood up from his lap, and the warmth of her proximity was replaced by an ominous chill as Nikolai's eyes snapped open. Almost immediately, a dark mist erupted around him, cloaking him in shadows that radiated a sharp, burning intensity from his crimson eyes. In a heartbeat, he was on his feet, ready to defend. "No, I want you to hide; I don't want you to fight anyone," Ophelia urged, her voice calm and composed despite the looming danger. Nikolai stared at her, disbelief etched on his face. "Hide?!" The idea was as absurd as it was offensive. A god, especially one of his stature, did not hide