Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 61: Pain Absorber...

Chapter 61: Pain Absorber...

Damian pushed the cabin door open with his shoulder, the old wood creaking slightly as he stepped inside.

The place was small but sturdy, with a rustic charm and faint traces of warmth from a long ago.

The air held a soft scent of old wood and lavender, bringing back bittersweet memories of his mother, Queen Aeliana, who loved this quiet getaway before her passing.

Carefully, Damian placed Evelina on the bed, her pale body looking even more delicate against the soft sheets. He adjusted her head on the pillow and lightly brushed a loose strand of hair from her face as his silver eyes examined her injuries.

Her skin was pale, her breathing was shallow, and dark veins from the wolfsbane poisoning were visible, spreading across her body.

"She’s been missing for three days," Damian murmured. "And poisoned with wolfsbane. Time isn’t on our side."

Jasper stood by the doorway, looking more serious than usual. "We need a healer, Your Highness. Whatever this is, it’s beyond what we can manage alone."

Damian hesitated, his jaw tightening as he considered the risks. "If I go to the palace, word will spread. Whoever’s behind this will know we’ve found her. I can’t afford that right now."

"You’re considering the alternative?" Jasper asked, his brow furrowing. "The mate bond?"

Damian nodded slowly, his mind flashing to a memory of his father, King Lucian, drawing poison from his mother in the same way. It hadn’t been enough to save her in the end, but it had bought her time.

Storm’s voice growled low in his mind. "You have to try. She’s fading fast."

Damian sat beside Evelina, taking her cold, limp hand in his.

Closing his eyes, he focused on their connection, the tether that bound them together as mates. He extended his energy, trying to reach hers, but found nothing—only emptiness.

His brow furrowed as he placed his other hand over hers, trying again.

Still, the bond remained silent and unresponsive.

"Why isn’t it working?" he asked Storm, clearly frustrated.

"I don’t know," Storm replied, equally puzzled. "This is our first mate. I have no experience with this."

Damian gritted his teeth and leaned closer, whispering into Evelina’s ear, "I’m coming, Evelina. Just hang on a little longer."

He placed a gentle kiss on her lips, a bittersweet goodbye before getting up to leave.

But as their lips met, a surge of energy rushed through him, shaking him to his core. The mate bond sprang to life, throbbing with energy.

"That’s it," Storm said urgently. "Kiss her again. That’s the key."

Damian didn’t hesitate.

He bent down and captured her lips once more, this time pressing firmly.

Heat surged between them, a searing pain spreading from Evelina into his body. He could feel it all—her pain, her fear, and the poison coursing through her veins. It felt like liquid fire as it moved through him, but he didn’t pull away.

Dark veins crept along Evelina’s face, twisting and shifting as though being drawn out.

Jasper stood still, his eyes wide as he observed the strange interaction. The dark lines started to fade, disappearing from Evelina’s skin and briefly appearing on Damian’s before disappearing again.

Evelina’s body arched a bit, and her eyes snapped open for a brief moment. She grabbed Damian’s shirt, instinctively pressing her lips against his in a desperate reaction.

Then, just as quickly, she went limp, collapsing back onto the bed.

Damian slowly pulled away, breathing heavily as he looked down at her. Her once pale and clammy skin now showed a faint flush of colour. The cuts and bruises on her arms and legs were starting to heal, and she was breathing steadily.

"That should do it," Damian muttered, sitting back in relief. His head swam from the effort, but he didn’t let go of her hand.

Jasper finally found his voice. "That... was something else."

Damian turned to him. "She’s stable now, but she’ll need care. Go to the palace. Get supplies, clothes for Evelina, and a maid to tend to her."

"And be discreet," Jasper added knowingly, already moving toward the door.

"Very," Damian confirmed. He looked back at Evelina, his grip on her hand tightening slightly. "I’ll stay here with her."

**************

Damian had no idea how much time had passed. He sat beside Evelina, watching over her protectively, his hand firmly wrapped around hers.

She was still unconscious, but breathing steadily.

When he heard the faint sound of hoofbeats, he stood up, his body tense, until he saw the familiar figure of Jasper. Jasper was leading a maid and carrying supplies. He quickly got off his horse, but his usual smirk was missing.

"Got everything," he said, holding up a satchel. The maid, a young woman with soft features and a nervous disposition, hesitated at the door.

Damian nodded. "Good. Keep an eye on her," he instructed, glancing toward Evelina. "I need to return to the palace."

Jasper frowned. "They’ve been looking for you. The king’s not happy."

Damian’s jaw tightened. "Let him wait. Make sure she’s safe. If anything happens—anything—you send for me immediately."

Jasper gave a mock salute. "You’ve got it, Your Highness. But be careful."

Damian clapped a hand on Jasper’s shoulder briefly before stepping outside.

**************

When Damian walked through the palace gates, Selene was the first to welcome him. She approached him quickly, her smile warm and practiced, and her eyes filled with curiosity.

"There you are!" she exclaimed, stopping just short of touching his arm. "I’ve been looking everywhere for you."

Damian’s expression didn’t waver. "I was in the woods. I needed space to shift and clear my head."

Selene tilted her head, feigning concern. "You’ve been gone so long. You look... exhausted."

"I’m fine," Damian said curtly. He moved to walk past her, but she sidestepped, blocking his path.

"The king wants to see you as soon as you’re back," she said in a sweet but insistent tone.

Damian’s patience thinned. "I’ll see him after I’ve bathed."

Selene’s smile faltered, replaced by a flicker of annoyance. "Let me accompany you to your room, then."

"Let me be," Damian said firmly as he walked past her.

She stayed where she was this time, her narrowed eyes glaring at his back.

Damian had only made it halfway through the courtyard when he suddenly felt weak. A wave of fatigue washed over him, and his strength vanished like water spilling from a broken container.

"What’s happening...?" he whispered, struggling to stay upright. His vision blurred, and the ground seemed to tilt beneath him.

Then, his legs gave out entirely, and he collapsed onto the stone path. Darkness closed in around him as he heard distant voices calling his name.