Transmigrated as the Villainess Princess - Chapter 41

Chapter 41: The Mate Bond (9)

Ahcehera glanced down at him again, brushing her fingers lightly over his brow.

“Richard,” she murmured softly, her voice laced filled with gratitude and frustration. “What have you done to me?”

The sound of the river and the rustling leaves filled the silence. The rainforest felt alive, its energy mingling with the strange connection between them.

She knew that their journey wasn’t just about survival anymore, it was about uncovering the truth of their bond and the power it held.

With a determined sigh, Ahcehera stood and scanned their surroundings. For now, she had to ensure their safety.

Answers would come later, but Richard’s reckless bravery had once again tied their destinies together, leaving her both exasperated and oddly comforted.

This wasn’t the end. It was only the beginning.

–

When Richard’s eyes fluttered open, the first thing he noticed was the soft crackling of a fire.

Its warm glow illuminated the jagged walls of a small cave, casting flickering shadows that danced like specters.

The scent of burning wood mingled with the faint dampness of the cavern air, grounding him in the strange and unfamiliar surroundings.

He tried to sit up, but a wave of soreness coursed through his body, making him wince. His muscles screamed in protest, each ache a reminder of the ordeal he had endured.

Where am I?

His mind raced with questions, but one loomed above all others.

Where is Ahcehera?

He glanced around the cave, his sharp eyes scanning every crevice, but there was no sign of her.

The fire burned steadily, its warmth a small comfort, but its presence only deepened his confusion.

She must have been here. Did she move me?

Gingerly, he reached up to his forehead and felt the rough texture of a bandage.

It was snugly wrapped, and beneath it, a dull throb reminded him of an injury he couldn’t quite recall.

Did I hit my head? What happened to us?

Fragments of memory began to surface. He remembered the wormhole tearing through the palace hall, its strange and chaotic pull.

He recalled rushing forward, his body acting on pure instinct as he shielded Ahcehera in his arms.

The sensation of falling into the unknown was vivid, as was the fear that gripped him in those final moments before darkness claimed him.

I held her. I protected her.

But where was she now?

A surge of worry pushed him to his feet despite the weakness that clung to him. His legs trembled, and he leaned against the cool stone wall for support.

His breaths came in shallow, uneven gasps as he steadied himself.

Did something happen to her? Did she go looking for help?

The thought of her in danger gnawed at him, and he clenched his fists, frustration, and concern battling within him.

He forced himself to take a step, his body protesting with every movement.

He turned his gaze toward the cave entrance. The firelight didn’t reach that far, leaving the world beyond shrouded in shadow.

A faint breeze wafted in, carrying with it the earthy scent of the forest outside.

She must be out there somewhere.

His jaw tightened with resolve. Even if he could barely stand, he couldn’t just sit here waiting.

If she had been the one to tend to him, to move him to safety, then he owed her his strength now.

Gripping the wall for balance, Richard took another shaky step toward the entrance.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Ahcehera’s voice rang out, clear and firm, bouncing off the walls of the cave.

It seemed to come from all around him, leaving Richard frozen in place. Despite his heightened werewolf senses, he couldn’t pinpoint her location.

“Your Highness,” he called out, scanning the dimly lit space. “Where are you?”

“Go back and lay down,” her voice echoed again, carrying an edge of irritation. “Don’t waste my efforts in treating your injuries.”

“No,” Richard responded, his voice resolute. “Where are you?”

Before he could react, Ahcehera materialized behind him like a shadow emerging from the dark.

She grabbed his arm with swift precision and pressed him firmly against the cold stone wall.

Her strength, despite her slender frame, was undeniable, and Richard couldn’t help but be momentarily stunned by the force of her presence.

“You’re impossible,” she said, her tone sharp with frustration.

Her fiery eyes bore into his, though something about them made him uneasy, there was no warmth, no hint of care.

Instead, her gaze was cold and unyielding, like staring into a bottomless void. “Can you listen to me for once? Or would you rather I leave you to fend for yourself in this place?”

Richard’s chest tightened as her words struck him. He could feel his heart pounding, the rhythm almost deafening in his ears.

“I…” His voice faltered, caught between pride and submission.

Her proximity made it hard to focus, the faint scent of her aura, mingled with the crackling fire behind them, was overwhelming.

“Okay,” he finally said, his tone softer, almost yielding. “I will listen to you.”

Ahcehera’s expression didn’t shift, her sharp features still holding that same impassive look. She stepped back, releasing him from her grasp.

“Good,” she said simply, brushing past him with the grace of a predator who had just asserted dominance.

“Then rest. If you truly want to be of help, you’ll need your strength for what lies ahead.”

Richard stood there, the weight of her words sinking in. He turned slowly, watching her move toward the fire, her silhouette framed by its flickering light.

With a subtle flick of her wrist, a meal box materialized in Ahcehera’s hand. The soft glow of her aura briefly illuminated the dim cave as she held it out.

“Come and eat,” she said, her tone neutral but carrying a trace of command that left no room for argument.

Richard hesitated for a moment, his body still aching from earlier, but the growl of his stomach overrode his pride.

He lowered himself to sit beside her, careful not to disturb the fragile calm between them.

The warmth of the firelight danced across her sharp features, casting shifting shadows that only deepened the mystery in her expression.