The Snake God with SSS Rank Evolution System

Chapter 384: Souls Entwined

Isolde lingered in Adam’s embrace, her face still pressed against his chest, the warmth of the Bloodpact humming softly between them. The sound of the waterfall filled the clearing, a gentle, steady rhythm that seemed to echo the beat of her heart.

She let out a slow, reluctant breath, her voice carrying a note of quiet regret.

"We should go back. We’ve been gone too long."

Adam’s lips curved into a mischievous smile. Without warning, he bent down and scooped her into his arms, lifting her off the ground in a smooth, effortless motion.

Isolde let out a startled, undignified squeak—a sound so unexpectedly cute that it made Adam’s grin widen.

"Wha—?! Adam! Put me down!"

Adam’s voice carried a light, teasing warmth as he adjusted his hold on her, cradling her securely against his chest.

"Nope. You said we should go back, so I’m carrying you. Efficient."

Isolde’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson, her hands pressed against his chest in a futile attempt to push him away. Her voice came out flustered, sharp.

"At least warn me before you do something like this!"

Adam’s laugh rumbled through his chest, warm and unguarded.

"Where’s the fun in that? I like seeing you flustered."

Isolde’s voice dropped to a low, exasperated mutter, though there was no real heat behind it.

"Idiot.."

Adam’s voice carried a light, teasing note as he adjusted his hold on her, his crimson eyes glinting with quiet amusement.

"You love it."

Isolde’s flush deepened. She turned her face away, her voice carrying a note of reluctant surrender.

"...Unfortunately."

They walked in comfortable silence for a while, the sounds of the forest settling around them. Adam’s pace was steady, his grip on her secure. Isolde’s gaze drifted to his face, studying the sharp lines of his jaw, the gentle curve of his lips, the way the moonlight caught the edges of his horns.

Her voice came out softer, carrying a note of quiet realization.

"Adam. Now that we’re bound like this... the poison isn’t necessary anymore, is it?"

Adam glanced down at her, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. Then his lips curved into a calm, easy smile.

"Already took care of it."

Isolde blinked, her brow furrowing. "Eh? Since when?"

Adam shrugged, his voice carrying a note of casual dismissiveness.

"Back at the temple. When you refused to let me remove it, I figured I’d just take it out anyway and not tell you. I didn’t want you to feel trapped."

Isolde stared at him, her mouth opening, then closing. Her voice came out flat, caught between disbelief and exasperation.

"That’s... actually kind of sneaky."

Adam’s laugh was warm, unrepentant.

"Maybe. But it worked, didn’t it?"

Isolde let out a slow, reluctant sigh, shaking her head. Her voice carried a note of weary acceptance.

"...I suppose it did."

Adam’s voice carried a note of hopeful uncertainty as they approached the camp, the firelight flickering through the trees ahead.

"I just hope the others don’t react too strongly when we tell them about the Bloodpact."

Isolde’s voice came out quiet, a hint of nervousness creeping beneath her usual composure.

"I’m not ready..."

Adam glanced down at her, his brow furrowing slightly. "Why not? Are you afraid?"

Isolde’s head snapped toward him, her voice rising with a note of sharp indignation.

"That’s not it! It’s just... they’re all so possessive of you. Especially Lilith and Alice. They’re going to see this as a threat."

Adam’s lips curved into a calm, reassuring smile.

"Don’t worry. They’ll come around. It might take a little time, but they’ll accept it."

They reached the edge of the clearing, the warm glow of the fire spilling across the grass. Adam gently lowered Isolde to her feet, her boots touching the soft earth as he released her.

Isolde smoothed her dress, the faint flush still lingering on her cheeks as she settled onto a flat stone near the fire. The crimson of her hair caught the firelight, rich and vibrant against the night. Adam lowered himself onto the ground beside her, close enough that their shoulders almost brushed. A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the crackle of the flames.

Then Adam’s voice came out, thoughtful and tinged with dry amusement.

"Wait. If we’re bound now... does that mean I’m part vampire? Am I going to be weak to sunlight?"

Isolde’s lips curved into a faint, almost amused smile. She shook her head slowly.

"Of course not. You’re still yourself. And even if you were to become a vampire, you wouldn’t be weak to sunlight. I’m a pureblood. That particular weakness doesn’t apply to my bloodline."

Adam leaned back on his hands, a slow, teasing grin spreading across his face as he glanced at her.

"So I’m partnered with a vampire queen. That’s quite an honor."

Isolde’s cheeks flushed, her voice carrying a note of flustered irritation.

"Don’t say strange things, idiot. I’m not a queen anymore. That’s just an old title."

Adam’s grin widened, his voice carrying a warm, teasing lilt.

"You’ll always be a queen in my heart."

Isolde’s face went crimson. Her voice rose, flustered and indignant.

"Idiot! Stop it! How long are you going to keep making me flustered?!"

Adam tilted his head, his voice carrying a note of innocent curiosity.

"Hmm? Are you embarrassed? That’s cute."

Isolde shot to her feet, her voice sharp, though there was no real heat in it. Her face was still flushed, her eyes avoiding his.

"Enough! My watch is over. I’m going to sleep."

She turned and strode toward the tent, her steps quick and deliberate. Adam’s voice drifted after her, light and amused.

"Hmm...? did I overdo it?"

Isolde paused at the tent flap, her hand hovering over the canvas. Her voice came out quiet, barely audible, carrying a note of shy warmth.

"...Goodnight, darling."

She ducked inside before Adam could respond, the canvas rustling shut behind her.

Adam blinked, his teasing smile softening into something warmer. He let out a low, fond chuckle.

"Haha... such a tsundere."