Free Web NovelChapter 21: Chapter 21 Healing Touch Revealed
Julian froze mid-bite, the food suspended at his lips. The entire fish went rigid in the water as if electricity had coursed through him. His head dropped in defeat, tears flowing not only from his broken heart but streaming down his face. "It’s okay. It’s okay. She simply hasn’t witnessed your true form yet."
The flowers were meant for Barrett. That sparkle of joy in her eyes—it belonged to him too?
Death seemed preferable to this agony.
——
Elara’s POV
In Chamber Three, Dorian had been pacing endlessly. The moment I came into view, he trotted toward me with an adorable swagger, the tiny bell on his tail jingling with each step. Actually, it wasn’t just the bell—after his breakdown the other day, my vines had gotten twisted around his tail, leaving a small piece of greenery still wound there.
Surprisingly, it complemented the bell perfectly.
"You’ve arrived at last..." freēwēbηovel.c૦m
"What? Already missing me after a few days, Your Highness?"
I always teased him like this.
He seemed to freeze, as if wondering why I had asked that—did he think I asked because I missed him too?
While he processed this, he spotted the fresh blooms beside my cart. They were gorgeous. Were they intended for him?
Of course they were. Both he and Barrett were my destined mates. He probably didn’t know why I hadn’t clarified things for them yet, but he likely assumed I favored him more. After all, I’d declared him a mythical being, and the delight in my eyes when I gazed at him was genuine.
I’d never regarded Barrett with such wonder.
With this realization, Dorian happily let his tongue dart out.
A small pink tip appeared at the corner of his mouth. Combined with his youthful features and those impossibly innocent eyes, I found him so endearing that I reflexively reached into my pocket for chocolate—like I always did.
But this time, I added something new. I unwrapped the chocolate first. Crouching down, I held the bare piece in my palm and extended it toward Dorian.
There was only one explanation: I wanted physical contact. Because he was a mythical creature!!!
I knelt by the ward entrance, grinning. Watching me treat Dorian this way, Barrett behind me clamped his teeth on the metal bars, grinding them audibly in pure jealousy.
The massive wolf howled silently. My lady, notice me. I’m your destined mate!
Dorian was completely overwhelmed by the cascade of surprises. He stared at my smile, then at the chocolate in my hand. The small leopard’s heart hammered against his ribs, and his ear tips flushed so crimson they appeared ready to burst.
Remembering his pride, he bashfully turned his head aside. Did anyone think he would decline?
Wrong. His four paws were already carrying him toward me. His feeding slot sat quite low, and I was simply crouched there, observing him.
The silence was so profound you could almost hear our pulses racing. When he reached the opening, Dorian paused. He stuttered, attempting to sound indifferent. "Fine. You may feed me this way. Only this once."
Then he quickly thrust his head forward and snatched the chocolate from my fingers.
But...
Dorian’s eyes bulged in shock. Why wasn’t I releasing it?
He glanced down. His tongue was going crazy, lapping at my fingers.
He suddenly panicked. He looked terrified, as if wondering if I would be angry. He seemed to be trying to convince himself that some alien force must have taken control of him just then.
Oh God. This was mortifying.
Dorian ducked his head anxiously. But before he could fully withdraw, my hand moved toward his chin...
I pressed my fingers together and scratched beneath his chin. Dorian’s four steady legs instantly buckled. He toppled sideways, belly exposed, neck draped over the feeding slot. If not for those horns on his head blocking the way, he would have crawled straight into my embrace.
This was incredible!!!
We both seemed to be enjoying this.
He felt wonderful being caressed. I felt wonderful caressing him.
Snow leopard fur was unbelievably plush.
Just as I was stroking him, a robotic voice resonated through the facility. "Chamber Three, Dorian: Spirit collapse level reduced by 3 points. Current spirit collapse level: 80."
What?!?!
What was going on? Why had it suddenly decreased?
I went rigid. Dorian froze as well. And it wasn’t finished.
"Chamber Seven, Silas: Spirit collapse level reduced by 1 point. Current spirit collapse level: 81."
Then Kaelen in Chamber One. After dropping once before, he’d fallen another point now.
Simultaneously, I detected something unusual with my wood ability. The experience meter on my level-three advancement had definitely increased.
I studied the bewildered Dorian, then considered Kaelen and Silas. When those had their breakdowns, my wood power had "feasted joyfully."
Hmm.
I rose, suddenly focused. I seemed to have uncovered something massive. My thoughts raced, and I reached a hypothesis. My vines were beneficial?!
Perhaps my several inexpensive husbands didn’t need to perish after all.
Back during the apocalypse, my wood ability could harness photosynthesis to restore stamina and energy from sunlight. Now, in this different reality, my power even possessed its own status display. So I needed to think differently. Previously, it operated on sunlight. Now? It operated on the spiritual energy of people losing their sanity.
