Chapter 46: Ophilia’s Fruits
Just as it was too much to bear and a scream seemed to tear its way up her throat, the feeling vanished abruptly. Mirian froze, her mind reeling. This was no mere imagination; the terror was too real. She felt her life slipping away.
"Mirian, you look unwell," Ryder observed, his voice dripping with feigned concern, while his mischievous dark blue eyes sparkled with amusement. "Perhaps you should take some fresh air."
Reana’s gaze shifted to Mirian, her expression softening as she took in Mirian’s pale complexion and erratic heartbeat. A faint frown creased her brow as she commanded, "Mirian, take your two days off. You may leave."
Mirian’s lips parted to protest, but a sudden shudder coursed through her body, leaving her breathless. She swallowed hard, her eyes darting nervously to Ryder and the Luna. She was afraid to leave her Luna with this fox, called Ryder, but then again, she didn’t know what was happening to her.
In the end, she nodded weakly, before tuning to make a hasty exit.
Ryder’s lips curved into a subtle smile as he watched the servant leave. It seemed that the moon goddess was particularly fond of Mirian, sticking her around Reana like glue in every lifetime.
Reana cleared her throat, subtly acknowledging the sudden shift in atmosphere - they were alone in the room. Her gaze refocused on Ryder’s stomach, where the wound was already showing signs of rapid healing. "The injury is closing up quickly," she observed, her voice neutral. "By tomorrow, you should be nearly fully healed."
Ryder’s lips curved into a charming smile. "It’s all thanks to your care, My Luna," he said, his voice low and smooth. "I was told that you sent for Healer Dira. I’m honored," he added, his eyes locking onto Reana’s, their depths gleaming with genuine appreciation.
"It’s what I ought to do. Considering I was the reason you got hurt in the first place." Reana’s expression turned somber, her voice tinged with remorse.
Reana’s brow furrowed, a faint frown etching her features. Despite having eliminated the culprit, a lingering anger still simmered within her. Her mind wandered to a haunting what-if scenario:
What if Ryan had succeeded in killing Ryder, the only person who stirred such an inexplicable, intense attraction within her? A shiver ran down her spine as she envisioned the overwhelming sorrow that would have consumed her once again.
A hand suddenly appeared in her line of sight, and before she could react, his fingers gently soothed the lines on her forehead, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through her entire being.