Nine Therians and Their Only One Queen novel Chapter 13

**When She Opened the Door to the Life She Was Afraid to Live by Nora Vale Kingsley**

As Emma crossed the threshold into the kitchen, she felt a familiar sense of purpose wash over her. The preservation chamber, an unexpected treasure bestowed upon her by the Empire’s government when they had acquired the villa, stood ready to assist her culinary endeavors. Its sleek, metallic doors held the promise of freshness, ensuring that whatever she stored inside remained as vibrant and delightful as the day it had been placed there—up to a year. It was a remarkable feature, one that allowed her to stock up on essentials without the worry of spoilage.

With practiced hands, Emma began to gather the ingredients she would need for dinner. She meticulously pulled out a fish she had prepared earlier, its scales glistening under the kitchen lights, and set it to steam. The rhythmic bubbling of the water filled the air, a comforting sound that signaled the start of her evening ritual. Next, she reached for some beast meat, its rich, hearty aroma wafting up as she unwrapped it, and grabbed a handful of vibrant peppers, their colors bright against the backdrop of the kitchen.

As the steam began to rise, swirling around her like a warm embrace, the kitchen transformed into a haven of savory scents. Each aroma melded together, creating a symphony of flavors that would soon tantalize their taste buds. By the time Drake made his entrance, freshly dressed and looking revitalized, the table was set, and dinner awaited him. Emma handed him a fork with a smile, her heart swelling with pride at the meal she had prepared.

“Dinner is served!” she announced, her voice light with anticipation, as she took her own seat across from him.

The meal surpassed even her own expectations, especially the steamed fish, which left Drake momentarily speechless. Emma watched with delight as his eyes widened in surprise, the flavors clearly captivating him.

As they dined, Emma fell into a comfortable silence, her thoughts drifting occasionally to her lightcore, which flickered softly beside her. She was likely engaged in a conversation with someone, perhaps even sharing a laugh, as the playful sparkle in her eyes suggested. Drake couldn’t help but find her demeanor amusing; it was a strange mix of focus and mischief that intrigued him.

Emma was indeed engrossed in a lively exchange with Damian, her match.

Damian: ‘Ms. Tibarn, I made a new friend today. He’s headed to F-268, so I asked to go with him. Ms. Tibarn, I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m so excited!’

Damian: ‘Why aren’t you answering me?’

Emma: ‘I was busy just now. I’m excited to see you too.’

The thought of tomorrow filled her with a flutter of anticipation. She would finally uncover what secrets Damian was keeping.

Once dinner was finished, Emma turned her attention to Drake, her expression shifting to one of earnestness. “I want to discuss the mental comfort I’ll be providing you at night,” she explained, her tone steady and reassuring. He nodded, his acceptance of her proposition coming without a hint of hesitation.

Drake studied her closely, recalling how animated she had been just moments before while chatting on her lightcore. It was clear that one of her other matches had to be on the other end of that conversation.

“If you’re going to comfort me at night, won’t your other matches mind?” he inquired, a hint of curiosity lacing his voice.

Emma’s response was immediate and confident. “Nope. With me, they all listen to what I say.” There was a finality in her tone, a promise that if they didn’t comply, she wouldn’t hesitate to cut them loose.

Drake chuckled softly, her assertiveness both amusing and endearing. He glanced around the villa, taking in the serene surroundings. “So, where are your other matches hiding?” he asked, genuinely intrigued.

Emma sighed, her expression shifting slightly. “They’re all busy right now. One of them will be here tomorrow,” she replied, her voice laced with a hint of frustration.

After their conversation, she instructed the smart robot to clear the table and headed upstairs. Three days had slipped by without a single reliable match showing up, and with some free time stretching before her that evening, she decided to take a look at what the others had to say.

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