Chapter 117
There was a small abandoned temple in the capital where no one ever visited.
A pack of gray wolves appeared at the temple where past glory had faded and only weeds flourished.
The gray wolves silently descended into the temple’s underground. In the pitch darkness, only their fierce yellow eyes gleamed.
As the wolves descended the stairs in a line, their forms gradually changed from four-legged beasts to bipedal human shapes.
At the front of the wolves who had transformed into people wearing black uniforms and cloaks was a man wearing a black mask.
A large hall spread out in the underground of the abandoned temple where they arrived.
Torches lit the walls here and there, illuminating the hall.
What stood out on the hall floor was a massive magic circle.
The red magic circle writhed and emitted light as though it were alive.
Around the massive magic circle, dozens of shapeshifters with muzzles on their faces stood motionless like statues.
They stared down at the magic circle with red eyes, as though entranced by something.
Something continuously flowed from their bodies like heat haze and was sucked into the magic circle.
The black mask watched this scene with a satisfied smile.
“How far has the dimensional barrier magic circle progressed?”
A subordinate prostrating behind the black mask bowed his head.
“It’s almost complete. If we input more shapeshifters in a berserk state, we can open the barrier. However, more powerful magic is needed to maintain the circle.”
“What will happen when the barrier opens initially?”
“Magical beasts will pour through the gap in the barrier and attack the capital.”
The black mask stared at the red magic circle. Behind the mask, the flames of the red magic circle flickered in his eyes as well.
“Proceed as quickly as possible.”
“I will follow your orders.”
The corners of his red lips twisted upward.
“I look forward to it. What a magnificent hell will unfold.”
***
On a night when everyone was deep asleep, the clinic was dead silent.
Since we had to leave for the northern castle early tomorrow morning, Uncle had gone to bed late after organizing the clinic and packing.
I quietly got up from bed. And transformed into a fox in an instant.
I slipped through the open window and bounded across the rooftops, leaping from one to another.
In the deep night without even moonlight, my silver fur sparkled.
The capital was asleep, with only soldiers occasionally visible as they guarded key routes on high alert.
I finally arrived at the Helleide villa.
I quickly hid in the garden, taking advantage of gaps in the soldiers’ vigilance as they guarded the villa.
Looking up from the dark garden, the Grand Duke’s bedroom on the third floor had its lights off. Fortunately.
While the soldiers were patrolling elsewhere, I climbed up the wall like the wind and entered through the open window on the third floor.
Leaping past the curtains swaying in the wind, I saw Karden lying on the wide bed.
Stacks of documents were piled at his bedside.
His brow was furrowed, perhaps having fallen asleep while working.
I quietly approached him, careful not to wake him.
Step by step, I slowly transformed into a human.
I put on a robe hanging on the chair and climbed onto the bed. Perhaps due to the bed’s movement, Karden stirred and opened his eyes.
“Who’s there?”
He reflexively sat up and assumed a defensive posture.
He even pulled out a dagger that he must have hidden under his pillow.
The dagger flashed an eerie light in the darkness.
“It’s me, Your Grace.”
I whispered in a low voice.
“Shuvelia? Why are you here? What’s happening?”
I slowly approached his side.
“I missed you.”
At those sincere words, his deep blue eyes wavered for a moment. Soon, the corners of his eyes formed gentle curves.
“I always have. Shuvelia.”
I lay down diagonally next to Karden, who had a cool warmth. Karden neatly covered my body with the bed sheet. Concerned that not even a hint of wind should enter.
“Why didn’t you ask me to come back, to sleep together?”
“I didn’t want to force you. I was just waiting for you to come whenever you wanted.”
“…You’re a fool, Your Grace.”
When I pouted and spoke primly, Karden let out a low laugh, finding something amusing.
“Is that so?”
I reached out and caressed Karden’s strong cheek.
As always, this man’s body stiffens at even my clumsy touch.
As though afraid that his suppressed desire might break free.
While my fingers traced down his straight cheekbone, along his firm jawline, and caressed his masculine neckline, his Adam’s apple moved slowly.
A deep moan escaped his lips. He grabbed my wrist to halt my bold actions.
“No further. Even my patience has limits.”
I stared up at him and lowered my head to kiss his wrist.
The pulse beating strongly beyond his wrist, the veins writhing beneath his skin, and his magic that was so sweet.
I could feel his magic just from kissing his wrist. I suppressed the rough desire to sink my teeth in and consume his magic at once.
It’s too early. No.
“Shuvelia…”
Karden’s heated voice reached my ear.
Karden’s lips brushed my earlobe and left hot traces on my jaw and cheek.
My fingertips trembled finely each time his lips touched me.
He cupped my face and lifted it to kiss me. His breath scattered faintly across my lips.
“I love you, Shuvelia. Only you…”
His sweet voice between gasping breaths was yearning and desperate.
Instead of saying I love you, I raised my trembling hands and embraced his back.
When I stroked his firm shoulder blades, he let out a low moan.
Our bodies touched without even the slightest gap between them. Feeling each other’s hearts beating fiercely, we craved and swallowed each other’s breath.
Enveloped in hot heat, I clung to his shoulders and called his name over and over.
“I love you, Your Grace.”
I didn’t want to be apart from him for even a moment.
I spread my arms wide and held him tight, accepting his breath, his heart, his everything.
I embraced his neck. I could vividly feel the strong pulse beating in his thick nape.
Why am I thinking of Franz’s question from long ago now?
Imprinting. The strongest oath and chain that can be formed among shapeshifters.
This was an animal instinct. The instinct to want to imprint one’s mate forever.
I sank my teeth deeply into his nape.
“Urgh, Shuvelia?”
Hot heat enveloped him and me. At the same time, the magic raging beneath his veins rushed into me.
Karden’s breathing became rapid, and his gaze grew hazy as he embraced me. I embraced him even more deeply.
I swallowed all of his magic that flooded my body, and kissed the vivid mark of my teeth left on his nape.
Karden gradually fell asleep in my arms.
Because I had consumed his magic simultaneously with the imprinting, he would sleep soundly until morning.
The pitch-black night had already faded, and a bluish dawn was seeping through the window.
The blue dawn mist also crept to the bedside.
After lying briefly in the arms of Karden, who had collapsed on the bed in an unconscious state, I carefully slipped out.
The cold dawn wind came through the open window, so I covered his body with the bed sheet lest he catch a cold.
I brushed his hair with my hand and stroked his face over and over.
I memorized his thick eyebrows, straight nose bridge, soft lips, and firm chin with my fingertips. Every detail.
As I got down from the bed, I slowly headed toward the window. My long silver hair had already changed into a lush tail.
I lightly jumped onto the windowsill. Before going out the window, I looked back at the sleeping Karden one last time.
I wanted to look at him a little longer, but the dawn hours were too short.
The place Franz was at, according to Rena. I don’t know what awaits there, what dangers lurk.
If Karden knew, he would absolutely prevent me from going. Or he would insist on coming along.
But he has duties as the kingdom’s guardian sword.
This was something I had to resolve. I shouldn’t rely on him anymore.
“Your Grace, I’m sorry for breaking my promise. I don’t think I can go to the northern castle.”
I turned around and jumped out the window. With his magic overflowing throughout my body, I landed in the garden very lightly.
I ran like the wind toward the east gate, cutting through the dawn mist.
Discussion
1 CommentRBluemoon238