An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2645

Chapter 2645

The igloos stretched across the valley like white honeycombs, their sharp silhouettes blending into a sky the color of molten lead. Thin threads of smoke rose from cooking fires, weaving a gray net that hung low and heavy above the snowbound land.

Matthias followed Batu all the way to the Snow Tribe.

The ice beneath their boots gleamed like polished glass, worn smooth by countless feet. It reflected the faint glimmer of snow falcons circling overhead, their cries echoing against the jagged cliffs.

On both sides, the snowmen stopped to salute, and children peered through windows of solid ice, their wide amber eyes glittering with curiosity. Necklaces of animal bone hung from their throats—each unique, some inlaid with turquoise, others wrapped in a resin the color of dried blood.

“This is Snowfang Valley,” Nikolai murmured in a low voice. “The tribe has 8,300 people, divided into twelve hunting teams.” He raised a gloved hand toward a colossal ice sculpture looming on the cliff ahead—a three-eyed figure, its sockets blazing with embedded crystals that pulsed with an eerie glow. “That’s their sacred image. The highest point is the Ice Temple for sacrifices. The tribe leader lives near the reindeer pen on the east side.”

Matthias noticed that the igloos were arranged with purpose. They spiraled outward from the totem in perfect symmetry. The closer to the center, the taller and more intricate the structures became, their walls carved with coiling spiral patterns.

Batu led them into the largest igloo—a hall of ice warmed by roaring fire pits and lined with pelts of white bear. The bitter air gave way to the thick, savory aroma of boiling broth. In the center, a copper cauldron simmered, exhaling clouds of fragrant steam tinged with pine and marrow.

“Please.” Batu pointed to a reindeer-skin bench and personally handed over a wooden bowl of broth.

Unknown red berries floated on the surface. The first sip was unexpectedly sweet. Heat spread down Matthias’s throat like liquid fire, driving the chill from his bones.

The curtain lifted with a hiss. An old man stepped inside, draped in a cloak of white bear fur. His hair was pure snow, his eyes sunk deep in shadow, yet they burned sharp as a blade. Around his waist swung a belt strung with charms fashioned from human finger bones.

Batu rose at once and saluted. The others followed, their heads bowed.

“This is Chief Monk,” Nikolai said quietly. “Second-in-command of the tribe. But the one who truly rules is the High Priest of the Ice Palace.”

Monk studied Matthias in silence, then spoke in guttural syllables that cracked like ice splitting on a lake. Nikolai translated smoothly, “The Chief asks if the Ice Soul Flower given by Linglu was properly stored.”

Matthias’s hand drifted to the brocade box at his waist. “It’s safe,” he said firmly. “I will never forget the kindness of this flower in saving my life.”

Monk nodded, signaling Batu to continue the feast, then carried a steaming bowl into the inner chamber. As he passed, Matthias caught a flicker of the emblem stitched on his robe—the same three-eyed sigil carved into the cliffside totem—and he memorized it.

Halfway through the banquet, Matthias took the opportunity of a toast to ask casually, “I heard there is an immortal elixir on Fairyharbor Island. I wonder if Mr. Nikolai has seen it?”

“The elixir is just a legend. Your Majesty, you don’t take it seriously, do you?” Nikolai said with a half-smile, her tone mysterious.

Matthias knew he was hiding something, so he continued, “Mr. Nikolai, if you can help me find the elixir, I will reward you handsomely.”

Nikolai’s eyes flickered. She looked around and saw Batu and the others busy drinking. Lowering her voice, she said, “To be honest, I do know a little about the elixir. But first, you must help me out of this predicament.”

“Escape? What do you mean?” Matthias frowned.

“I have been placed under house arrest by the tribe’s High Priest. Although I can move freely inside the tribe, I cannot leave on my own,” Nikolai said seriously.

He had escaped once, but was beaten half to death and bedridden for three months. Since then, he never dared act rashly. He waited—until Matthias and his men arrived, bringing him hope again.

“So, if I help Mr. Nikolai escape from the tribe, Mr. Nikolai will tell me the whereabouts of the elixir?” Matthias narrowed his eyes slightly.

“That’s right!” Nikolai nodded. “If you want to escape, I will tell you the secret of the elixir immediately!”

After ten years on this island, Nikolai was going mad. Compared to freedom, the temptation of the elixir meant nothing to him.

“Okay! Then it’s a deal!” Matthias smiled. It was like searching everywhere, only to find it without effort. He thought the search for the elixir would take a long time—but a clue had come so easily. God’s blessing!

“If you want to escape, tonight is the best chance,” Nikolai said quickly. “The hunters brought back the largest ice bear of the year. The High Priest will personally perform the Spiritual Prayer Dance. At that time, the Ice Palace’s guards will be the least alert. We can sneak out through the secret passage behind the reindeer pen and rush to the breach in the island’s boundary.”

Matthias looked at the bonfires flickering outside the window. The snowmen danced wildly around the flames, the roar of the drums making the igloo tremble.

“Okay, tonight!” Matthias agreed without hesitation. Opportunities like this would never come again. For the elixir, the risk was worth it.