Chapter 141: The Power of Human Rock

"Marcus, I love you."

Lily smiled at him, bright and unguarded, the kind of smile that came only when she was completely certain of herself. He was her man, her only man, and in that moment there was no doubt in her eyes.

Marcus froze for a second, caught off guard by the sudden confession. He hadn’t been able to follow her thoughts just moments ago, and now he found himself looking up at her, unsure how the conversation had leapt so quickly to this.

"Marcus," she said again, her voice soft and intimate, carrying a warmth that slipped easily under his skin.

She leaned closer, her face closing the distance between them. Before he could speak, her lips met his, gentle at first, then deliberate. Her tongue brushed against his, inviting him forward, giving him permission without a single word.

He gave in instantly. Their kiss deepened, tongues tangling as familiarity turned into hunger. His hands moved over her smooth, warm skin, memorizing her all over again, and the world beyond them faded into irrelevance. What began as a kiss soon became something more, a familiar rhythm they had learned together.

The attraction between them quickly grew overwhelming. Pajamas were discarded without thought, and they slipped naturally into another shared journey of passion. Lily was different tonight, more assertive, more daring, and that only drove Marcus further, his blood racing as she met him without hesitation.

What followed was intense and consuming, a collision of desire and emotion that left no room for restraint. It was proof of their bond, a wordless promise of devotion, and for a while it felt like nothing else existed. By the time Lily was completely spent, they finally slowed, breathless and tangled together. She curled against his chest, her body slack with exhaustion, finding comfort in his warmth and steady presence. Marcus held her close, breathing in her familiar scent, savoring the quiet softness that followed the storm.

"Marcus, you’re so strong," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can’t keep up. I’m sorry."

Tonight, Lily had given him everything. She had opened herself completely, pushing past her own limits, even trying things she had never imagined she would. And yet, lying there against him, she still felt as though she hadn’t quite satisfied him. Marcus had held back for her sake, restraining himself out of care and love, but that only deepened the guilt in her chest.

She wanted him fulfilled. She wanted him happy. To her, he was everything.

"Marcus," she said softly after a moment, nestling closer to him like a small bird seeking warmth. "What are we going to do about Serena?"

"It is what it is," Marcus replied, his voice tight despite his effort to sound casual. The truth was, he didn’t have an answer himself. "Let’s not think about it tonight."

She shifted, lifting her head to look at him, her expression suddenly serious.

"Marcus."

"Yeah? What’s wrong?"

"I don’t want to interfere with whatever is happening between you and Serena," Lily said carefully. "As long as you love me, as long as we stay together, I won’t stand in your way. No matter what happens with her."

"Babe, what are you talking about?" he asked, startled.

"I know exactly what I’m saying." Her gaze didn’t waver. "As long as I have a place in your heart, that’s enough for me. And besides... you’re a lot for one person. I can’t handle you all by myself. I don’t mind if there are others, as long as you love me like this."

"Lily..."

A sharp pang of guilt twisted in Marcus’s chest. Had she sensed something he hadn’t realized he was showing? The thought made him uneasy.

"Do you have any idea how much it hurt when you were with her?" she went on, her eyes steady on his. "And now that I’m the one with you, I think I understand how she must have felt, too. If you’re happy, I’m happy. You’re my one and only."

She paused, then added with quiet resolve, "But if you do find someone else, I won’t stop you. Still, she has to be at least as good as me or Serena. And she can’t be someone who’s just been passed around. I won’t accept that."

Marcus was completely stunned. In Lily’s eyes, her man deserved only the best, and her devotion was absolute. He didn’t know what to say, overwhelmed by the depth of her feelings.

Sensing his discomfort, she softened and shifted the conversation. "You really are strong, Marcus," she said with a small smile. "And every time we’re together, even though I’m exhausted afterward, I wake up the next morning feeling amazing. It’s like my whole spirit is full of energy. Why does that happen?"

She understood that desire drove men, and Marcus was no exception. But she was already caught in his gravity, and as long as he loved her, the rest didn’t matter.

Relieved that she had let the subject drop, Marcus exhaled quietly. "Babe, watch this."

Still holding her, he nodded toward a small paring knife resting on the table in the middle of the room. Without touching it, the knife lifted into the air, drifting slowly before flying across the space and landing neatly in his open palm.

"Oh my god!" Lily gasped, her eyes widening. "Marcus, what was that?"

It looked impossible, like something pulled straight out of a legend or a superhero movie.

"It’s an ancient technique I’ve been practicing," Marcus said, smiling. "It’s called Human Rock. I’m finally starting to understand what it can really do."

"A technique?" she asked. "Like real powers?"

She took the knife from his hand, turning it over, checking it from every angle as if expecting wires or mirrors.

"Yeah," he said. "Some kind of martial art."

"That explains so much," Lily said slowly. "Every time we’re together, I feel this energy moving inside me. I’ve wanted to ask you about it for a while."

"You can feel it?" Marcus asked, genuinely surprised. He hadn’t realized it was affecting her so directly.

"I can. It’s strange, but it feels really good. What else can you do? Is it like the stories? Can you do what superheroes do?"

"Not quite," Marcus laughed. The idea felt exaggerated even to him. Human Rock hadn’t reached that level. "But I can show you some of its power."

"Watch."

"Marcus, wait!"

Before she could stop him, he raised the knife and slammed it straight into his own chest. Lily screamed, terror ripping through her as she watched.

Clang.

The blade shattered on impact, breaking into three pieces that fell harmlessly away. His skin was untouched, not even scratched, as if the knife had never been there at all.

"Oh my god," Lily whispered. "That’s... incredible."

Her hands flew to his chest, fingers searching desperately for a wound, her fear lingering despite the proof in front of her.

"I’m fine," Marcus said gently. "As long as I circulate my energy, a knife can’t break my skin. Honestly, I’m starting to wonder if even a gun would work on me."

"Don’t you dare," she snapped, her voice shaking. "Don’t ever try that with a gun."

In that moment, she didn’t care about power or techniques. The thought of him being hurt was enough to make her heart race. She already regretted asking for a demonstration.

"I won’t," Marcus said quickly, soothing her. He picked up the broken pieces of the knife and rubbed them between his palms. After a moment, fine metallic powder drifted down to the floor.

"Marcus..."

Lily could barely speak. This wasn’t just strength. It was the kind of power she had only ever read about in myths.

"You said you felt the energy moving through you," Marcus said after a moment. "I think Human Rock might be a dual cultivation technique, like those Eastern fantasy novels. Why don’t you try something? See if you can use it too."

"Me?" she asked, stunned. "You think I can?"

"Try. Focus on that book on the table. See if you can pull it into your hand."

She didn’t believe she could do it, but with his encouragement, she closed her eyes and focused, reaching for the strange warmth she now recognized inside herself.

"Marcus!" she exclaimed suddenly. "Look!"

The book lifted, wobbling in the air before hovering for a brief moment and then dropping back onto the table.

It worked. Human Rock was truly a dual technique, allowing even someone without training to touch its power. Though Lily’s control was weak, the result was undeniable, and she was glowing with excitement.

Marcus was even happier. This confirmed his suspicion that the technique benefited both partners without any hidden cost. It was a gift, one that bound them together even more closely.

"See?" he said with a grin, pulling her into a deep kiss. As he held her, he felt the familiar fire stirring in his veins once again.