Chapter 5

EVELARA

‘Whoa—If this is the centre of Valtherion, we've missed enough with that piece of shit!’ I gasped within my head, as I stared at the huge building of the Royal Healer’s institute.

‘Wow, weren’t you too late to express your emotions?’ Dravara narrowed her eyes, ‘You were wiping just a while ago!’

I gave her a sheepish smile, ‘Well, new beginning, new emotions!’

She just rolled her eyes and lay flat on the back of my mind. I pulled my suitcase, entering the huge double gate of the institute.

I looked in awe, my breath catching at the tremendous beauty. This was the healer’s institute I had dreamt of since childhood —no, since the first time I had ever set a bone or used herbs for an injured warrior back in Shadowfang.

My mentor’s voice lingered in my head: “The capital is more than just buildings and prestige. It'll show if your gift is meant for the world, or if you'll let it fade away quietly.”

Even a few days earlier, I would have faded away my cherished dreams, but now—not anymore. It seems betrayal has opened a door for me to live my own dreams.

“Okay, let's find a way to the reception area. Need to settle in the girls’ quarter.” Muttering, I pulled my suitcase with me.

Although Selene had already arranged accommodation for me, I cancelled it once I accepted the invitation to the Royal Institution. They also offer accommodation for the new interns.

It was actually easy to find a way to the reception. The huge, luxurious area was open, and a neatly dressed woman stood behind the desk.

Having verified my ID and invitation, she then provided me with the key to my room. It is a shared room with another candidate, which I found to be perfectly acceptable.

“Thanks,” and then I went to the girls’ quarters. Although the institute was quite huge, the sections were perfectly defined, so it didn't take me long to find the quarter and my room. Besides, the nurses here were all quite helpful.

When I reached my room, the other girl had not arrived yet. ‘I hope she arrives soon because today's the last day.’

‘Hopefully…’ Dravara muttered, sounding a bit off.

‘What's wrong?’ I raised a brow.

She leaned on the back of my mind, ‘I don't know, but—something will happen I feel.’

‘What?’ I asked, frowning, walking out of the room and walking toward the garden.

‘Not quite sure, but… Hey, stop!’ She suddenly stirred, snapping at me.

I almost stumbled at her sudden screech, but somehow balanced myself and stood straight.

‘What the hell!?!’ I glared at her.

‘Don't get lost in their marble and flowers. Wolves hide sharper teeth here than in Shadowfang.’ She warned me.

‘.....’ Seriously?

‘And how do you know?’ I hissed at her. ‘We just came here!’

She only shrugged, ‘This is the city centre, Eve, you must be careful and don't get lost. I was just warning you.’

‘Yeah?’ My lips curved into a faint smirk. ‘Paranoia suits you, Dravara. But let me have this one.’

She only shook her head but said nothing, seemingly again fallen into worry—no, it was more like deep thought.

‘Good!’ Muttering, I stepped into the beautiful garden.

I passed rows of carefully arranged medicinal plants. Belladonna beside night-blooming violets, wolfsbane kept carefully under wards.

I knelt to brush my fingers over a cluster of silverbloom petals, rare and potent in cleansing wounds. For a moment, my heart swelled with quiet triumph.

Yet, my peace didn’t last long, when a shattered, gagging noise cut through the silence.

And then—a child’s strangled gasp.

What's going on?

My head whipped toward the far corner of the garden. A little boy was clutching at his throat, his fair complexion turned red, and his eyes were wide with terror as he collapsed to his knees.

A polished entourage of black-suited bulky men surged around him instantly, but none touched him. They barked orders, fumbled, panicked, and were highly useless!

What the bloody!—

My eyes flashed, my healing instincts growled within and I moved faster than I knew. My steps were practised, I'm well practised with high-profile emergencies and surgeries.

“Move!” I almost barked with a sharp tone when one of the guards barred my path, his hand raised to stop me.

“This area is restricted,” he growled, towering over me.

The little kid was still gagging and he was giving me his theories, this guy gotta be kidding me! What are they? Paid killers!?

“Then undo it, unless you want him dead!” My tone pierced the air and seemingly knocked some sense into him as well.

His stance faltered, and a different type of fear flashed across his face as though his life was at stake. It only angered me more.

“Move away!” I shoved past him and dropped to my knees before the boy, noting at once the bluish tinge to his lips, the rigid panic in his little body.

He was losing his breath and more than harm, it panicked him. And panic attacks are bloody life-threatening!

“Shh, I’ve got you,” I murmured, my voice steady as I tilted his chin up slightly. “Open for me, sweetheart. Just one breath.” I coaxed him.

I pressed my fingers gently against his throat, and invisible heat hummed from my palms. ‘Dravara…’ One silent call and her eyes glowed for a split second, pushing a sliver of power through my veins.

With a steady hand, I carefully dislodged the piece of fruit which was stuck in his vital cord. The boy then began to convulse, followed by a violent cough, and finally, he cried out as air filled his lungs once more.

Thank the Goddess!

Relief swelled through me as I steadied him by carefully holding his back, cautious so he didn't feel unwanted or sudden pressure in his spine, and slowly I rubbed circles on his back. “There kid, you’re alright. Just breathe.”

He didn’t fuss around like usual children. And slowly, followed my words as though he had been strictly trained for that.

When he finally lifted his gaze, wide silver-grey eyes met mine, and yet they were the mirror of another's. Something flashed, or perhaps a glimpse of someone that immediately dissipated.

Dravara stirred within, and I blinked. That shade—it's very rare and somewhat familiar, though I had never seen it before.

However, I didn't have enough time to ponder when—

A chill fell around the garden. All the 'men in black' now lowered their heads as though their God had appeared. The same fear that reminded them of death shadowed their faces.

‘What's going on?’ I muttered within.

‘Not good…’ Dravara frowned, she was too vigilant.

And then, I felt a presence behind. A strong scent of pine, wood and power hit my nostrils, forcing me to turn around. And, I froze…

It's a man. Tall, broad-shouldered, with hair as black as the midnight sky streaked faintly with silver. His steel-grey eyes burned through me as if he were looking right into my soul.

Without asking I knew this guy was related to the boy. Well, the resemblance is undeniable. But what struck me the most was that the very few people nearby were also lowering their heads in his presence, except—me.

He didn’t utter a single word; his gaze lingered on my hands for a while before he stretched his hand to the little boy. Although the man was tremblingly cold, the boy seemed to find warmth in him and immediately melted.

His eyes again turned to me, swelling my inner soul with a strange sensation…

“You saved him.” His tone fell, it was deep, dark and mercilessly cold.

I rose slowly, stretching my hand toward the kid. For some reason, he let go of his and hugged my waist. My heart warmed up, a flicker of ache coiled within as he reminded me of Alex… If only he had treated me this way once.

Swallowing the tight knot in my throat, I

smoothed his hair, ignoring the frost in his guardian's tone. “He’s fine now. Next time, don’t let your guards waste time.”

The boy stifled a giggle and the guards stiffened. Well, they deserve that much.

Despite this, the man's expression remained unchanged, although a hint of something unsettling seemed to appear in his eyes. With deliberate movements, he retrieved a black card with silver edges from his inner pocket and extended it to me, conveying an air of authority.

“Take this.”

I blinked at it, then at him. “What is it?” I was so damn confused.

“The price of your work,” he said flatly. “You did your part. Now accept and leave.”

Eh! I, with wide eyes stared at him and then at the card. Did he just treat me that way? What the—!?

The first day in the main city, and I already encountered a man like Callum. Wow, seems like the world is full of his kind.

‘Is he stupid!?’ Dravara growled.

Anger and insult flushed within me, yet I used my practised cold and calm smile. Then, I looked up at him, directly staring in those heart-ripping eyes that almost shattered me, yet I didn't give up.

Having a glance at it, a bitter smile twitched against my lips. “If that’s how you repay care in Valtherion, then I pity your kingdom, Mr.”

A murmur of shock rippled through the guards as if I had committed a crime. Yet, I didn't care. I only squeezed the boy’s hand gently before letting go. “Be careful next time, little man,” I whispered with a smile meant only for him.

The child's silver eyes widened, his lips trembled. He seemed to have words to speak, but then he chose not to and nodded like the most obedient.

I truly felt bad for the boy; it seems like his guardian was not really fit to be a guardian. And the saddest part, I can't even do anything.

Sighing once I stood straight and without sparing a single glance at the stupid, arrogant man, I turned around and walked away.

Never letting a man walk over me ever again…

————————

If she had turned around for once, she could have seen how his gaze stayed fixed on her retreating figure, his jaw tight, his fingers curling around the rejected card, and no one dared to breathe, yet—amidst the darkness of cold those silver eyes flashed with a flicker of interest for a woman for the first time in his 33 years of life.

Oh, and his introduction?—well, he's the man who is feared, abided and respected by the entire Valtherion—the Alpha Supreme, Lucien Virek…