The Royal Mark-Chapter 33: Romeo
Nile successfully located a nearby river, and the four dogs wasted no time leaping into the water, gleefully splashing and playfully dousing each other.
Elsa carefully removed her cloak and hung it on a tree branch before rinsing her hands in the water. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Chris approaching the water, and she couldn’t help but watch.
He had his back to her, and now that she had calmed down, she just realized he was no longer wearing a shirt, and his jeans were ripped from the knees down. Elsa observed as he poured water over his upper body, and as the dirt and blood washed away, his wounds became visible—there was quite a lot. She furrowed her brow each time she saw the water come into contact with Chris’ injuries, she can only imagine how painful it must be for him.
Elsa was jolted in surprise when Ciel suddenly spoke up beside her. "His wounds aren’t healing as quickly as they should," she remarked.
"But why? Doesn’t he have fast-healing abilities?" Elsa inquired.
"He does. However, it’s possible that the demons used poison or dark magic on their claws and weapons during their fight with him. If that’s the case, his healing won’t be quick enough to prevent infection. He could fall ill and eventually die. Given his size and weight, we will have a hard time burying him for sure," Ciel casually stated.
"Whoa, whoa... hold on a minute. Dying and burying? Your imagination is way too fast-forward... You were wounded earlier, but you didn’t die, so he won’t either," Elsa argued.
"Yeah, I’m alive and kicking, but that’s because you healed me. You possess divine powers, something that can easily counteract demon or witch poisons and dark magic. So, it’s up to you whether you want to stay angry and tire ourselves digging a grave, or simply go over and heal him so you can ride him later. After all, you’re his mate, and he won’t leave your side, even if you wanted him to. Expect him to stick to you like a leech," Ciel explained.
"Ride him?! What? Ciel! You surely have a dirty mind for an old lady!" Elsa exclaimed.
"What on earth are you talking about, dear? I meant that when he’s in his wolf form, you can ride on his back, like a horse without a saddle, so you don’t have to walk and tire yourself out. It’s a faster way to travel. Now, who’s the one with the dirty mind here?" Ciel sighed before adding, "You claim to hate him, but clearly your mind is filled with him. He can smell you, you know..." The white dog began to walk away, but Elsa grabbed her tail, causing her to growl.
"Wait! What do you mean he can smell me?" Elsa asked for clarity.
"Whenever you look at him, just like how you are looking at him now, you get wet down there and he can smell your arousal. He knows you like him or at least his body, he’s a werewolf, and he has an enhanced sense of smell. So stop drooling. Now, don’t stop me. I need to wash my coat more, I can still smell the disgusting blood of those demons on my beautiful fur," Ciel said.
Elsa’s hands instinctively rose to cup her cheeks, and she was frozen in place, her gaze fixated on nothing in particular. She could feel the warmth spreading through her cheeks, a clear sign of embarrassment. She was certain that her face must have turned as red as an apple at that very moment.
’Alright, Elsa, calm down,’ she reassured herself mentally. ’You’re a doctor, and now you have healing powers. Just approach him to heal his wounds so he doesn’t die, sparing yourself the task of digging a grave. He’ll also become your ride later... But a ride to where?" Elsa was lost in her thoughts when suddenly a clump of mud landed on her face, followed by another on her chest, and more small mud balls came flying in her direction.
"Nuri!!!" Elsa yelled upon seeing Nuri digging something underground.
"Sorry! I can smell truffles. I am so hungry!" Nuri yelled back.
Elsa rolled her eyes and started walking toward the deep part of the river to wash herself. She then looked at Chris’ direction and saw him still washing off the blood stains that dried up on his skin.
’His wounds look nasty,’ she said to herself and finally decided to help him.
"I’m fine," Chris blurted before she could even speak as she stood almost 3 steps away behind him.
"How did you know I’m here?"
"I can smell your scent getting stronger, that’s how I know." Chris then turned around and faced Elsa.
"I will just heal you so you will not die. I cannot afford you dying. I don’t know where we are." Elsa said.
"Of course, I will not die. My wounds will heal later... We are in Vectus, I just don’t know where exactly Ambros sent us." Chris said.
"Ciel is worried that those demons might have used poison or dark magic on you so let me just heal you okay?" Elsa insisted.
"How about you... Are you worried about me?" Chris gently lifted Elsa’s chin to meet his gaze.
"Of course, I am, who would not? I mean, looking at those wounds, they might get infected. And I am a doctor, it’s natural for me to get worried when someone is hurt." Elsa replied before lowering her head once more to inspect his wounds.
"Okay, if you say so. Are you still scared of me, princess?"
Elsa looked up, surprised by his question. Then she remembered when he shifted. "No, I am not. I was just a little taken aback. It was my first time seeing anyone transform like that so that’s an expected reaction from anyone."
"I’m glad you are not afraid of me. Because if you are, I don’t know what will I do. I was sad when I saw you terrified while looking at me earlier." Chris took Elsa’s hand and slowly lifted it up before giving it a quick kiss. "I don’t want you to get scared of me ever. I will never hurt you and I will always protect you. Remember that."
"Okay, Romeo... I understand. Can I heal you now?"
"Who’s Romeo?" Chris asked in confusion.
