An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2643

Chapter 2643

The spirit deer ignored the ice turtle entirely and walked straight toward Matthias. It stopped, turned its head, and fixed him with those calm, light-blue eyes before giving a small shake, as if signaling him to follow.

Is it… saving me? Matthias hesitated, suspicion rising alongside relief.

It was strange—after all, this creature had shown hostility before. But with the monstrous ice turtle looming behind him, he had little choice. He motioned to the survivors and followed the deer across the snowfield.

Behind them, the ice turtle remained for a moment, its scarlet gaze flickering with uncertainty. Then, with a low rumble, it turned and sank back into the dark lake, vanishing beneath the fractured ice.

The spirit deer moved ahead at an unhurried pace, pausing now and then as if to make sure they kept up. They crossed the endless white expanse until, at last, it stopped before what appeared to be a sheer wall of ice.

The entrance to a cave lay hidden beneath the frost. The deer exhaled a stream of mist over the frozen barrier, and in an instant, the thick ice melted away, revealing a dark passage beyond.

Inside, the cave was a world apart from the frozen wasteland. Warm air greeted them, soft and almost springlike. The walls shimmered faintly, lined with glowing minerals that bathed the space in a gentle light.

The deer led them deep within and halted before a massive ice crystal. Encased within was a single Ice Soul Flower—similar to the one beneath the lake, yet more exquisite. Its petals gleamed faintly gold, as if threads of light flowed through them.

The spirit deer glanced at Matthias, then at the flower. The message was clear.

Matthias hesitated, doubt tugging at him. Why would this creature help us now?

But there was no time to question. He stepped forward and carefully removed the flower from its icy cradle. The moment it touched his hand, an invigorating warmth spread through his body. The chill that had numbed his arm began to fade, the frostbite loosening its grip.

“Thank you,” Matthias said quietly, bowing slightly to the deer.

The creature regarded him for a moment longer, then turned away, disappearing into the white wilderness as silently as it had come.

Matthias exhaled slowly and looked at the Ice Soul Flower resting in his palm. At last—after all the losses and hardships—they had secured the sacred herb. Yet the question remained: where was the legendary elixir they sought?

He placed the flower into a brocade box, its silk lining glowing faintly blue as if absorbing the flower’s spiritual essence.

Kyle, pale and leaning against the wall, let out a low breath. “Your Highness… the spiritual energy in this flower surpasses anything the old texts describe. If we return with it, the Emperor’s illness may finally be cured.”

Matthias nodded, surveying the cave. Its walls shimmered with scattered clusters of luminous ore. Moss carpeted the ground in patches, soft and strangely warm underfoot. This place was unlike any other they had seen—a sanctuary hidden in the heart of desolation.

A sound drew his attention deeper into the cavern—a soft, rhythmic trickle. Following it, he found a clear spring bubbling from a rock fissure, its steam curling into the air.

“A hot spring…” Kyle murmured in disbelief as he tested the water with his fingers. “Perfect for wounds… and frostbite.”

Matthias’s decision came swiftly. “We’ll move camp here.”

With the ice turtle lurking outside and other threats unknown, this cave offered safety and warmth—an opportunity they could not ignore.

They gathered the remnants of their unit. From a force of over fifty, fewer than thirty remained, many gravely injured. Armor cracked and frozen stiff clung to their weary frames. Yet when they heard of warmth and healing water, a flicker of hope returned to their eyes.

As they filed in, one soldier froze and pointed at the wall. “Your Highness—look!”

Carved into the stone were faded murals, their edges worn by time yet still discernible. One showed a figure clad in feathers soaring among clouds. Another depicted colossal beasts striding across a frozen plain. And at the deepest part of the wall—the spirit deer, hooves treading snow that bloomed into curling vines, entwining an Ice Soul Flower.

“These… must be records left by the ancients,” Matthias murmured, running his fingers along the stone’s cool surface. “The spirit deer and this flower have existed here for ages.”

His thoughts were interrupted by hurried footsteps. A guard burst into the cavern, face pale.

“Your Highness! Riders—approaching fast!”

Matthias’s expression hardened. “Who are they?”

“They’re armed, well-equipped… and they’re heading straight for us!”

“Prepare for battle!” Matthias commanded, steel flashing in his eyes as he raised his blade.