Elara’s POV
"Return gift!"
A bowl of strawberries and a vine bracelet.
Dorian had been sitting there for ages. The mont he spotted coming, his tail started wagging frantically—totally dog-like behavior—and he flashed this huge grin. Before I could even offer him the strawberries and bracelet, he shoved a ring toward with his paw. The little leopard kept it simple: "Just in case."
Barrett, lurking behind him, let out a chuckle. "Well, if His Highness insists, I won’t argue."
Dorian lifted his paw in a "go for it" motion.
Barrett pulled out this sleek weapon—a compact plasma blade. "Hit this button, and the blade shoots out..." His tone got softer at the end. "Watch yourself. Don’t get hurt."
"Relax. I know what I’m doing."
And I really did. I had to hand it to them—their gifts were spot-on perfect. The system hadn’t exactly hooked up with a mansion when I got married, but these presents definitely filled that gap.
"Return gift."
Sa deal as before. Barrett’s lips curved up as he slid the vine bracelet onto his wolf paw right in front of . "Thanks, Elara. I’m crazy about it."
Alistair actually had his lights on in his room today. Not wanting to freak out, he’d grabbed a bedsheet, thrown it over his head, and wrapped himself up like a ghost before positioning himself by the al slot. Before he could get a word out, I placed the items down and pushed them through.
Alistair just stared.
Looking at the strawberries and vine bracelet in front of him, he managed this pained smile. Whatever. Better skip the smile—probably looked more disturbing than tears.
Good thing he had that bedsheet.
The white fox in Chamber Six was already posted up by the al slot. When I walked over, he shot to his feet imdiately. "Elara, sothing eating at you?"
I shook my head. "Soone else has issues. Not ."
While I talked, I handed him the strawberries and vine bracelet. Just like with Kaelen, before I could explain anything, Finnian had already grabbed them and slipped them on.
"Thanks, Elara. I absolutely love them."
He smiled sweetly and held out a bracelet. "Return gift."
Finnian’s voice was smooth and warm. Combined with his fox features, he had this gentle, sophisticated vibe—like soone you could actually trust.
"Thanks."
Early afternoon
I still had no clue about the deeper aning behind this bracelet. Right now, I was treating it like any normal gift exchange.
I had to admit, my first read on him was wrong. He really was gentle and sophisticated—but he was still a fox.
When Silas’s turn ca up, I found myself walking faster without thinking. Finnian noticed from the corner of his eye and hesitated slightly, perhaps wondering if my rush was because Silas was in human form.
"Ms. Sterling."
Hmph. You get it.
"Dr. Pendragon..."
Wait???
My voice—why did my voice sound like that?
Elara, what the hell are you doing with your voice?
"Heh."
Silas’s quiet laugh drifted out. He reached up and pushed his glasses up, speaking gently. "Ms. Sterling, your face is bright red. Is this about that phone call from earlier? I wonder if there’s anything I could do to help?"
Playing dumb, are we.
"No."
Even more high-pitched now.
I cringed internally, totally humiliated. Co on. It wasn’t like I’d never seen a guy before. Was this performance really necessary?
I was screaming inside my head, not noticing that Silas had already extended his hand. Just before he made contact, he paused.
"Elara. Thank you."
Silas chuckled softly, then finally reached out and brushed so dust off my cheek, casually clipping sothing tiny onto my earring.
So cold.
I shivered. This gorgeous rabbit man’s hand was ice-cold. Like sothing clicked, I suddenly looked up at him, then slowly dropped my gaze.
Careless. He must have circulation problems.
I bolted, hands covering my face. Damn. I finally found one I really wanted, and he had health issues?
The little devil piped up: Cold hands an bad circulation. Won’t keep you warm in winter, won’t cool you off in sumr. Always running to the bathroom. Gets worn out fast.
The little angel fired back: With a face that perfect, who gives a damn about any of that? How can you be so superficial?
I shrugged. Yeah, I’m superficial!!!
, Elara.
I can whip up a killer al, and I can really, really whip up a killer al!!!
During those endless apocalypse nights, I’d burned through tons of survival manuals. Food and desire were basic human drives. But he had health problems?
I still wanted to ss with him. Brutally. Ruthlessly. Lock him up in an iron cage and see who’s more twisted.
Morals?
What morals?
I didn’t have any morals.
Hold up. Now I did.
With that thought, I spun around and headed back. I peeked through the slot, looking at Silas with this sorry expression. "Dr. Pendragon, do you need my help?"
I wanted to tell him—I knew how to make all kinds of health-boosting drinks.
He’d already figured out what I ant earlier. My stare was way too obvious. Hmph. I’d totally underestimated him.
"Sure."
Silas leaned back, crossing his long legs as he settled on the sofa. His glasses caught the light, so I couldn’t see his eyes right then—but I could feel like the atmosphere around him had suddenly changed.
Hmm... super intense.
"Leave it to . Guaranteed results."
Finally eting soone who looked human. I was definitely making this happen.
A woman on a mission—once I locked onto a target, I went full throttle.
Later that afternoon
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