Chapter 47
Dante’s POV
Blood.
The sight of it smeared across her cheeks and dripping from her hose burned itself into my mind like a cursed brand.
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My wife–my Valencia–stood trembling in my arms, her crimson–stained fingers shaking as if she couldn’t even understand what was happening to her own body.
“Valencia!” 1 growled, trying to steady her, but my voice was rougher than I intended.
Her dazed eyes flickered up at me, and she gave a small, cracked smile. “I’m…I’m fine.”
Fine? She thought she was fine?
No. This wasn’t fine. This wasn’t even close to fine.
I ripped off any overcoat and draped it over her shoulders, hiding the blood staining her white gown. A pang of
shoulder. tightened my chest as I lifted her into my arms, bridal style, her head resting limply against my
Frustration
She felt too light, too fragile, and I couldn’t stop the guilt eating away at me. What was I doing wrong? Why did I keep failing to protect her? Was it me? Was it her environment?
The scent of blood lingered in the air, a sharp, metallic taunt that only deepened the storm of anger swirling inside me. I strode through the reception without looking at anyone, ignoring the murmurs and gasps that followed us.
I didn’t care. My only focus was getting her back to her room–somewhere safe.
I didn’t get into the car. Instead I walked faster towards the dark woods between our house and the cathedral. Our mansion was only a five minutes drive away by car, but even that seemed like a waste of time right now.
I used my hearing and after making sure no one had followed us. I started shifting the energy inside of my body. I could feel the burn on my back for the second time as I felt my wings grow out.
This time I didn’t let them grow out to their full mass and started moving through the trees quickly.
It only took me ninety five seconds to reach the back door of our castle.
As we climbed the stairs to her quarters, her breathing evened out, and I felt her shift slightly in my arms. Her hand weakly clutched the lapel of my jacket, as though anchoring herself to me.
“It’s…not as bad as it looks,” she murmured softly, her voice so faint I almost missed it
I wanted to shout, to demand how she could downplay something like this. But I forced myself to calm down. She needed comfort, not my anger.
The moment we reached her room, she stirred with more urgency, her eyes widening. “I need-
“You need to rest,” I said firmly, kicking the door open with one foot
“No,” she cut in, suddenly squirming in my arms. “I need to see him.”
-Who-
Before I could finish, she was already out of my grasp, running toward the cor where our egg rested. The shift in her
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Chapter 17
demeanor was instantaneous. Her trembling stopped, replaced by a radiant, almost ethereal calm.
Her hands cupped the egg as she pulled it close, hugging it to her chest like it was the only thing anchoring her to this world. A soft smile graced her lips, and she pressed her forehead gently against the shell. “I’m okay,” she whispered, more to the egg than to me, “I was just tired, little one.”
The way her.
her shoulders relaxed, the color returning to her check stunned me. It was as if being close to the egg had healed
Was that it? Was her need to be near it so powerful that it had a physical effect on her?
I crossed the room, my unease still gnawing at me. “You might feel better now, but I won’t be satisfied until the doctor checks you over.
She started to protest, but I silenced her with a pointed look.
Twenty five minutes later, after the doctor came and confirmed she was stable, I finally let myself breathe. Though the doctor had found no immediate cause for concem, I couldn’t shake the lingering worry.
I sat beside her on the bed as she absentmindedly stroked the egg’s shell, her fingers tracing soft patterns along its surface. The tension in my chest loosened slightly at the sight, though the unease in my gut refused to leave completely.
“Shouldn’t we name him now?” she asked suddenly, her voice light and playful.
Her question took me off guard, but I couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. “Him?” I repeated. It was like she already knew the kid was a boy. I didn’t question it either when she started referring to it as ‘him.
She grinned, looking up at me with that familiar spark of happiness in her eyes. “Can’t you tell? He’s so smart.”
I chuckled softly, shaking my head. “Alright, Mrs. Steele. What should we name our genius son?”
She hummed and I noticed her eyes going solemn before she whispered out, “Castor?”
I frowned, asking “Why that?”
Her smile quivered a little as she answered, “It’s the name of a constellation, and it also means to shine.”
I nodded, “Do you like stars and constellations?”
She hummed, “Yeah..I love them. Especially Orion”
“Okay,” I paused, wondering why she hadn’t chosen Orion instead then. But decided against asking why, “I like Castor. Especially Castor sugar.”
She scoffed and rolled her eyes, amused at my silly attempt at a joke.
Soon her laughter rang out as she cooed at the egg, completely enamored. I wanted to bask in her happiness, but something about her behavior unsettled me
She had cried bloody tears. Moments ago, she’d been on the verge of collapse. And now, she was acting as though nothing had happened.
“Valencia,” I said softly, my voice hesitant.
Hm?” She didn’t look up, her focus entirely on the egg.
Before I could voice my concerns, a knock on the door interrupted us. My father and Caius entered, their faces etched with
worry.
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14:52 Tue, Jan 14 GO
Chapter 47
“How is she?” Raiden asked, his sharp eyes scanning Valencia forny sign of distress
“She’s fine,” I replied curtly, though my tone was more defensive than I intended.
Raiden nodded, but his gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he and Caius left.
Once we were alone again, Valencia turned to me, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. “Dante..” she began, hesitating.
“Yes?” I prompted, leaning closer.
Her blush deepened, and she looked away. “I was wondering. La night how did you heal me? Is it something dragon’s can do? It felt_different,”
A smirk tugged at the corners of my lips as I caught the shyness her voice. She was still in her wedding gown, her auburn. hair slightly messy from the day’s events.
Without a word. I reached up, carefully pulling out the bobby pins holding her hair in place. Her eyes widened slightly as I ran my fingers through her soft curls, letting them fall freely around her shoulders..
The tension in the air shifted, taut and electric.
“Like this,” I said softly, guiding my hand to her lower back. I let my spiritual energy flow through her, subtle and steady. She shivered beneath my touch, her breathing hitching slightly.
“Dante she whispered, her voice barely audible.
My fingers found the buttons on the back of her dress, and I slowly undid them one by one, the fabric slipping down to reveal the curve of her neck and thoulders. I leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to the nape of her neck.
Her hands clutched the egg instinctively, and she suddenly pulled away, her face flushed. “He can see us,” she mumbled, her voice filled with embarrassment. “It’s embarrassing
–
I chuckled, finding her flustered reaction endearing. “He’s an egg, Valencia. I doubt he’s judging us.”
Still, I picked up the egg and placed it gently into the cot. Valencia immediately pulled the blanket over herself, her wide eyes watching intently as I pressed a button on the cot.
An opaque dome rose from the edges, encasing the egg in a protective cocoon.
“Won’t he get scared? Isn’t it dark?” she asked, her voice laced with worry.
I smirked, unbuttoning my shirt as I moved closer to her. “Don’t worry. The inside lights up like the sun and keeps it nice and warm
Her wide–eyed expression made something primal stir within me. She looked like a startled little fox, and the urge to devour her consumed me.
Before I could stop myself, I was on her, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. Her muffled moans only fueled the fire burning in my veins.
Once again words started echoing in my mind. Things I had no business thinking about if this situation was going to last just
one year.
The thought made my heart drop arid frustrated me even further. I didn’t want her to go, I didn’t want to let go.
She was mine.
Mine.
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