"Devlyn, Airin is waiting you know." His best friends voice brought his attention away from the computer screen. Tristan stood at the doorway of his office, his eyes reflecting the concern he felt. Devlyn knew his friend worried for him. Ever since Kieren had attempted to take his daughter at her birth. . . he had spent endless nights perfecting security and tracking down the damned demon. Everyday, he woke up in fear that he would find Ri and Elysia gone. It was his worst fear, and despite the reassurance of his squad, Devlyn could not rest.
"I know." He blew out an exasperated breath. He knew. . .
"Come on. I promised her that I wouldn't let you work yourself to death. Your nerves are making her nervous too, you know."
He nodded absently. He knew that too. He should learn to relax a bit, but his wolf and mind wouldn't allow it.
"Just five minutes. Go on, Draven and I got this." At the mention of the wolf walked in, two coffees in hand.
Right. He didn't think there was a choice in the matter. Reluctantly, Devlyn nodded and left towards his family. It literally seemed physically painful to leave the base and a sense of dread settled in his mind. At least he was grateful Kieren hadn't continued his torment. For now, he was quiet.
"Baba!" Every problem in the world melted away at the vision of beauty before him. Airin walked up to him, a gorgeous smile adorning her face as she struggled to keep little Elysia in her arms.
"Baba!" His daughter squealed as she finally leapt into his arms.
"Hello, my little rose." He nestled her against him, her little arms came around his neck as she placed a delicate little kiss on his nose.
"Baba!"
"She's been calling for you all day you know. She misses her baba." His eyes turned lovingly to his wife. Shifting Ely into one hand, he outstretched the other for Airin to take. He brought her in, kissing her deeply. Gods, he really would never get used to her.
"Eww!" Ely placed her hand between her mother and father, her clear distaste for their affection making both Dev and Airin laugh.
"No." She wiggled in his arms and Ely, quite selfishly took his face in her chubby little hands and gave him a serious glare.
"Oh, seems that she doesn't like you kissing me, Devy. She's a bit possessive."
"Oh? And why is that, my little darling?"
Elysia frowned as if his question insulted her. "My baba!"
"She's trying to steal you from me."Airin teased.
"I think it's working. I mean, those eyes, are just breathtaking." Devlyn grinned at Ri, winking as he brought her in for another kiss.
"No!" Ely protested again.
"Alright, you win!" Airin took Ely back, holding her up as she blew kisses into her little stomach.
Amazing. . . I have to be the luckiest guy in the world.
"Oh, Devy, are you going shopping with us?"
"Shopping?"
"Yes. . . oh, Devlyn Blake Wolfheart, did you forget. . . again?"
"N-no." He casually turned away from her, unable to meet her glare.
"Devlyn, you promised. You're always so busy, Ely and I miss you you know."
I know. . .he wanted to say. But he couldn't find his voice. He was just too. . . tightly wound. His nerves were always at their worst, and he found himself fearful with spending too much time with them. What if Kieren used him to get to them? He could never forgive himself if something happened because of him. No, he couldn't and wouldn't live with himself if that happened.
"Devy?"
"I can't, I'm sorry, Ri. I have to deal with politics and security. You know we have a treaty coming up with the northern clan, I cannot drop the ball on this. I want to be with you, I do. . . but duty calls you know?" Ok, half of the stuff he just spewed out was bullshit. . . but he really did have a treaty coming up. Sure, it wasn't until next month, but it was a damned good excuse. Right?
"Devy, you look so tired. I'm worried for you. You don't eat, you don't sleep. Don't think I don't notice. " Of course she noticed. He turned his eyes to hers. His body shifting uncomfortably as it battled with the emotions raging inside. His heart really wanted nothing more to spend time with her, he missed her too. Every moment he was away from her was torture. He missed her kind smile, her mesmerizing gaze, and that light that shone brightly in every expression she had. But he couldn't. He knew. I have to keep you safe.
"I promise, swear on my life, I will accompany you next time you want to go somewhere, ok?" He smiled sincerely, hoping that she wouldn't press further.
I have to protect you.
Airin sighed dejectedly but otherwise showed no other signs of her disappointment. It was times likes these where she wished they could all just run away from all the looming responsibility and just live together peacefully. But that was a childish notion and running away never solved anything.
ReplyDelete"Alright, Devy. I love you." She reached to cup Devlyn's cheek, who subtly nuzzled into it affectionately.
"I love you, too," he mumbled into Airin's wrist, his eyes locking onto her's like they'd found the world's most extravagant treasure. She smiled, eliciting a small one in return from Devlyn. She felt the exact same way about him.
After their lengthy goodbyes (Elysia never did like it when she was away from her "baba"), Airin set out for the mall as Elysia clung her arms securely around her mother's neck. Airin held her little miracle tighter in her grasp, faint memories of her daughter's near kidnapping arising in the vampire mother's thoughts. Ever since that day, it was near impossible to pry Devlyn away from a computer monitor. It was no coincidence that political and diplomatic matters suddenly arose after the incident. Airin doubted Devlyn would ever forgive himself for almost failing to protect their daughter. But, if anything else, Airin would fight off a world of demons if it meant she could always be with her Devlyn.
The walk to the mall was a quiet one, especially since Airin insisted her guards stay behind at the castle after threatening to ditch them if they came along anyway. The guards only drew attention to herself, something that never failed to bring heat to Airin's cheeks. For once, having the day just for herself and Elysia was more than Airin could ever ask for.
Elysia demanded to take her spot in the child seat of the shopping cart as always and Airin indulged her wishes every time. It was amusing how independent she was already, something that reminded Airin of Devlyn without fail. She actively suggested and pointed to various items throughout their spree and forced her mother to hand her the chosen articles. Elysia would survey the price tags and produce descriptions, though she was still too young to read, but that didn't stop the little girl from wearing a very pensive look in her best efforts to understand. She would claim every thing she picked out was "cheap" (where she learned to say that word Airin could never figure out), but Airin had figured out after about a shopping spree or two that Elysia mainly chose things based on their colorful vibrance.
ReplyDelete"You sure you want this one?" Airin asked, holding up a toothbrush with a race car design on the handle.
"Yes!" Elysia declared, outstretching her little arms for the item, to which Airin relinquished with an airy laugh.
Finished with the majority of their shopping (much to Elysia's chagrin), the two of them made their way to the front of the store to pay for their things. Airin held her daughter in her arms to quell the child's protests to leaving, which seemed to satisfy the little girl for the time being. It wasn't until she broke her attention away from Elysia's adorable pouting face to step forward in line did Airin see hooded figures dispersing to several of the registers.
It was almost surreal what transpired before Airin's eyes. The hooded person directly at the register she was waiting in line for drew something from his pocket and knocked it over the cashier's head, rendering him unconscious. Several gasps of surprise were echoed in multiple lines as the other hooded members did the same. It wasn't until the protest of one cashier about the thievery that the first sound of a gunshot was fired and panic finally settled in amongst the witnessing customers. For Airin, it didn't completely sink in until Elysia's terrified screams of the thundering gunshot filled her ears and spike up her heart rate with pure adrenaline.
Of course this was the one day Airin had decided to go out in public without her bodyguards. It never fails.
"Devlyn, this is getting ridiculous and you know it. Does Ri know how-"
ReplyDelete"Just drop it, Tristan." Devlyn snapped at his friend. Yes, yes he _knew_. He fucking knew. He just didn't need to be reminded of it everyday of his life.
Devlyn left the treadmill in search of something more challenging. The wights, perfect. Devlyn added on a few more weights to each side of the bar before taking his place on the bench.
"Alright, so you're going to do what? Work yourself to death?"
"No, that would be stupid." There was a slight pause, making Devlyn wonder if Tristan had finally left him alone.
Nope. "Fine, but what are you trying to accomplish? Look man, she's protected. Tor and Draven are with her-"
"No we're not." Devlyn nearly dropped the fucking thing on his chest as he heard Tor walk into his room.
"The fuck does that mean?" He would have cursed himself then for his voice for cracking. But honestly, what he just heard made him want to jump off a bridge anyway.
"She didn't want us to go. She'll be fine dude, don't worry about it."
There was a long silence as Devlyn stared into Tor's eyes.The urge to rip his throat out was about ready to take him over until Tristan stepped in.
"Ok, no problem. We'll just head over there, I mean, she wanted us to go with her anyway right? Well, you anyway. She'll be happy to see you Dev. Just, breath, grab your shit, and lets go."
Right, what were the odds that something bad would happen. Right?
Devlyn, almost frighteningly calm now, put on his shirt and grabbed his gear. He snapped on the bracelet which held his armor and fiddled with his hair in an attempt to make it look decent. When it proved stubborn, Devlyn walked out of the bathroom only to meet the gazes of everyone of his squad. They all donned expressions of a fucking lost puppy.
"What?" He was almost afraid to ask, and in answer he felt a wave of anxiety wash over him.
"Airin." Her name just barely left his lips when a female walked into the room. He immediately recognized her as Rhezo. Her appearance did nothing for his nerves as she approached him, her face betraying nothing as he attempted to read her.
"Airin and Elysia have been taken."
"What?" No, he clearly didn't hear her right. It had to have been the exhaustion talking. Great, he was hallucinating.
"They were taken about 5 minutes ago. I believe I know their location. If you-"
"Tell me." Devlyn has already going for his weapons when Rhezo gave him the location. Before his squad could say anything, Devlyn left, his mind hoping that it would not be too late.
"Cough it up! Now!"
ReplyDeleteThe group had raided the cash registers within minutes but for one of them it apparently wasn't enough. Waving his weapon without care, he directed it at anyone and everyone still in the cashier lines as he forced them to relinquish any form of money they had. After failing to coerce him to desist his advances, the rest of the group departed without him. This fact did not deter the man, however, as he continued down the line of people for their valuables.
Airin clutched Elysia tighter in her grasp as she watched the hooded man peruse down the line adjacent to her own. This was absurd! To be held "captive" by a mere human was humiliating but to lash out against him would jeopardize her identity as a vampire to the helpless victims, not to mention the fact that she'd be putting Elysia in danger as well. Airin couldn't very well stand by and do nothing, either. There had to be something she could do. Airin's eyes fervently scanned her surroundings, any potential weapons requiring a closed distance strike and with Elysia in her grasp that would be difficult to enact.
When it appeared that another alternative would be better, Airin's eyes landed upon a nearby curtain rod in one of the customer carts near her. It was the best she was going to get and, exchanging her glances between the hooded man and her intended destination, Airin quietly reached for the rod and silently took it in her grasp. She only fuddled with it for several seconds before she was able to lock it in her arm the way a knight would with a lance and then subsequently positioned Elysia's weight onto her hip.
The curious glances of the surrounding customers were diverted from the hooded man, something which he apparently noticed. He spun around to the source of the captives' attention, gun at the ready, which sparked Airin into motion. With as much force as she could muster, the vampire lunged her entire weight into her arm as she jabbed the end of the rod upward into the man's nose. He let out a mangled cry as he dropped the gun in his painful stupor, allowing the more brave of the customers to detain him as they waited for security.
Airin sighed, accepting the polite comments of her bravery with small "thank you's" but otherwise she retreated away from the crowds and out of the limelight as much as possible. This day was already perfect enough as it was and to add public fame to it was too much icing on the cake. Airin's heart was still pounding like it was the drumroll played before going into war and Elysia's excited exclamations didn't help calm it down, either. It wasn't until Airin had made her way outside that she was able to hear the ringing of her phone beyond the incessant throbbing in her head. She didn't even bother to check caller ID in her attempt to make the ringing stop.
ReplyDelete"Hello?" Airin answered, leaning away from Elysia's giddy hands as they reached for the cellphone.
"Airin?" came Cyrus's panicked voice. "Are you okay? Where are you?"
Airin's brow drew together. "At the mall. Where did you think I was?"
The sound of a soft curse barely made it through the earpiece. "Devlyn just went searching for you. He thinks you've been kidnapped by Kieren."
That was enough to make the beating in Airin's ears freeze altogether. "What? How did you-"
"I was at the base when the news came in from Rhezo. She's leading Devlyn to where you were supposedly held captive."
Oh god... this was all just some misunderstanding. After all, Rhezo had been loyal to Airin's family for years. She wouldn't just lie to Devlyn... would she?
Airin bit her lip, her hand beginning to shake... if it was a setup (jeez, the thought was enough to make Airin literally cringe) then, knowing that accursed demon, Kieren would be waiting for Devlyn at some place that had the greatest meaning for both the Wolfheart prince... and Airin herself.
"Cyrus, I need you to come by the mall and pick up Elysia... I'm going after Devy."
Devlyn followed quietly after the woman. His eyes searching the surrounding as he tried to stay alert, but it was near impossible. The exhaustion of sleepless nights was starting to take a toll on not only his body but his mind. He tried his best to keep his senses sharp, to stay focused but it was becoming increasingly impossible.
ReplyDeleteAirin. . . Elysia. . . please be ok.
Devlyn never sensed it coming. They approached a loan field of flowers. His heart skipped a beat as he recognized the place. Waves after waves of blue flowers made it look like an ocean. The sunlight beat down on them, hitting each bead of dew with perfection. It was where he had proposed to Airin. . . Of course he bastard would take them there, to prove some sick point.
"This way." She lead Devlyn towards the side where the forest boarded the lush field before she disappeared into the shadows within. Devlyn frowned in confusion, never noticing the demon behind him until it was too late. Pain exploded from the back of his head sending the young Prince reeling forward. Howls and laughter rang all around Devlyn as he tried to regain his wits.
"Devlyn, my boy. What's wrong with you?" That . . . voice. . . "Oh, you're going to make this easy, aren't you?" Kieren. . . . His menacing laughter rang through the place, saturating it with dark malicious intent. "Take him."
Devlyn pushed through the pain, his hands reaching back for his swords only to find they were no longer there.
"Looking for these? Legion?" A necro demon taunted him, holding the only defense Devlyn had in his sickening little hands. How. . .how had he. . .
"Shit."
Several demons lunged for him at once. He dodged the best he could but his body was slow. Clawed hands swiped at him and hit almost every time they did so. Devlyn stumbled back, his breaths coming out in fast spurts as he tried to keep up with the swarms.
"This. . .is for killing so many of my brethren, demon slayer!" The necro demon lunged towards him, his eyes burning hot like molten coal as he brought forth his wrath. Devlyn's swords swung at him with little to no precision. And yet. . . Devlyn cried out as he felt the sharp metal cut at his chest. The demon laughed and swung again, this time the blade sliced effortlessly through Devlyn's shoulder. The taste of copper filled Devlyn's mouth as blood seeped down the side of his mouth. It was over. He fell on his knees, the demons relishing in his defeat as they took hold of Devlyn. He had no energy, nothing left.
Pain seared through his body as they swarmed to extract some revenge for the death of their brethren. The edges of his visions began to dim as a demon pulled a fistful of his hair back. "You will watch as I disgrace you, Legion." It sneered.
ReplyDeleteDevlyn laughed and spit into the demons face. Arrogant fucks. . . "There is nothing you. . . can do . . .to me. . . you filthy fucker. . ." The demon was taken aback, his eyes growing wide in humiliation as those around mocked him.
"Why. . .you little-"
"Enough." The command had every creature immediately bow their heads and back away. Devlyn looked about him, trying to break free from the shackles placed on his hands but it was useless. It became increasingly hard for him to breathe but Devlyn stared every one of the demons with defiance. His head high and proud,t he fire in his veins still burned with a staggering intensity. When Kieren invaded his vision, Devlyn did not so much as flinch when Hell's Prince crouched to eye level.
"You can beat the body all you want. You won't be able to break his will with your fists." Kieren spoke up, his eyes holding nothing but amusement in their depths. His hand reached over towards Devlyn's pocket and retrieved his phone.
At first, Devlyn didn't know what the bastard was up to until he pointed the camera in his direction.
"How about we send your lovely family a message, shall we? Oh, go on Devlyn. Smile, you want them all to know how much fun we're going to have."
A cold wind swept across the ocean blue of the flowers, making them ripple as waves would out in the open sea. It was just as beautiful as it had been when Devlyn first took Airin to this place. For some reason, however, that made it all the more foreboding.
ReplyDeleteAirin stepped along the perimeter of the wide open field, her eyes zipping this way and that for any sign of movement. Cyrus's protests still rang clear through her mind and it was probably true when he said that she would never intercept Devlyn in time. But Devlyn wasn't answering his cell and relaying the info about his possible whereabouts would be time consuming, especially since Airin was already en route to the location anyway. Besides, what was really puzzling (and altogether quite ominous) was if Kieren was behind this, how did he know to lead Devy here, in a place of such great importance to only Devlyn and Airin herself…?
Airin couldn't even begin to comprehend the possible horrors of how Kieren came across this knowledge as her cell phone rang and echoed out into the vast emptiness. Shit.
The rest went by too quickly for Airin to fathom. Her vision was suddenly obstructed in dark cloth as her body was shoved and pulled in one direction after another, all the while multiple voices erupted around her in the darkness that were too loud for her to discern. The sheer force of panic left Airin struggling wildly and uselessly in the grasp of her captors and they were not shy in showing their displeasure to being inconvenienced. The young vampire was thrown to the ground repeatedly as punishment and a few times she was just so fortunate enough to collide with sharp gravel or twigs upon impact. The world had never felt so topsy-turvy, so unfathomable, and any opportunities Airin was given to make sense of the situation was stolen when she was thrown upon the ground for, after several seconds of pause, was presumably the last time. Wherever they were, it was uncharacteristically quiet… at first.
"Who's the wench?" shouted a gruff voice from somewhere on Airin's left side. Soft murmurs followed and filled the tense silence. They must've taken her to a cave, given by the acoustics.
"You're gonna love this one, boss," said one of Airin's captors before the dark cloth was abruptly removed, blinding her with the sudden exposure to light. It didn't help that an uproar of jeering voices cried out in a mixture of pleasure and shock, adding onto the throbbing pain radiating throughout Airin's head as a result of the injuries of her numerous falls. The headache practically disappeared, however, when one specific voice rose above the rest.
"NO!"
Airin's eyes shot wide open, the irksome bright light and the noise of dozens of amused demons all but forgotten at the sound of Devlyn's voice. Her eyes found him immediately, blood and cuts marring his body but otherwise he appeared fine. Airin almost sighed with relief but, judging by the look of sheer terror in Devlyn's eyes, it was too soon to start counting her blessings.
"Well, well… The princess has decided to take center stage. Did you enjoy the message I sent you?"
The entire room and even the air itself froze. The heart within Airin's chest stuttered between paralyzation and forcibly beating its way out of her body. Everything went numb and her thoughts went vacant. She couldn't say how long she'd been kneeling there, hands pinned behind her back, staring uselessly like a deer in headlights. A lifetime? A second? In the end, it proved futile when a tall and menacing figure stepped into her vision.
ReplyDeleteThere arose a sudden and overwhelming instinct to recoil. "Get away from me," Airin hissed, writhing against the prison of her captors' iron-grip strength, to no avail. She kept her eyes trained on a spot of rock next to Devlyn.
The demon prince laughed. "And here I thought I had snuffed out that spark you had all those years ago." The sound of moving fabric filled Airin's ears, not realizing that it signaled Kieren's descent until he drew her face towards his with a forceful hand and she found that they were suddenly eye-level. "Rest assured," he sneered, a malicious glint in his yellow eyes highlighting the bone-chilling undertone in his voice. "I won't make that mistake again."
"Don't you dare touch her with your filthy hands, Kieren!" bellowed Devlyn somewhere in the distance, the distinct noise of struggles against bondage following his exclamation.
The demon appeared unfazed, but he turned his attention back to the wolf prince nevertheless. "I could give you the pleasure of watching her squirm and struggle and subject you to the glorious sounds of her screams as she pleads for you to come her rescue; or, even better still, how she begs for the pain to end until she finally breaks and her last breath is spent asking for death." He paused, surely evaluating the building anger painting Devlyn's face the longer he spoke. When he continued, Kieren's voice was all but reduced to a mere whisper. "… But why should I grace you with the time to contemplate possibly losing her and perhaps coping with that truth during that entire time?"
A flash of black fluttered across Airin's vision before raw, bone-shattering pain so strong that it was near impossible to even scream consumed her entirely.
Devlyn, was speechless as he watched the dark, crimson liquid gushing out of the wound. Pure, hot, white horror dug its way deep into his heart with the striking contrast of the blood turning into ice in his veins.
ReplyDelete"No…"
"I'll give you a choice, darling, little, Devlyn. If you vow your loyalty to me and pledge to me your life, I will save your precious-"
Devlyn immediately cut in before the bastard could even finish his sentence. "Go. Fuck. YOURSELF." He grit through his bared teeth. The bonds around his wrists cut down to the bone as he strained against them.
"Very well." Kieren stood from the spot, giving Devlyn a clear view of Airin's form lying amongst the blue petals of the flowers. His heart sank as he was able to see the terror that reflected in her eyes, it was almost as bad as feeling it through their bond. She was terrified and Devlyn could do nothing to save her. . . he was going to lose her. "Wait until she's dead, then, kill him."
Kieren's voice didn't fully register in his mind, all of his focus was on his dying mate. Whatever happened next became a blur, lost in the burning anger that began to rise inside of him, stirring his wolf to life as it responded to Airin's call. Watching on the sidelines was never Devlyn's thing, and he sure as hell was not about to start it now. Fuck every single bit of life that was working against him. Fuck exhaustion. Fuck the pain he felt as his muscles strained underneath the growing pressure of the cuffs around his wrists. They would all die.
"Shit!" He could hear a demon screech as Devlyn began to shift.
He could hear them scrambling for whatever weapons they could find and heard the panic lacing each voice as they yelled at each other, "He's not supposed to be able to shift!"
In that moment, his eyes met with Kieren's. Amusement played across his crisp green gaze and a cold grin crossed his lips. Smug bastard, Devlyn thought to himself . . . he was going to tear him apart.
A soft clink of metal snapping was an ominous sound amongst the ranks of demons. Only a few dared approach him mid-transformation and they were quickly taken care of with the swipe of his half morphed paw. Within a few more seconds, Devlyn stood before the demons in the second wolf form granted to all of the royal wolves. No longer on four legs, this form resembled the form used in human legend and mythology. He towered over them on two legs, his formed sending most of those wiser demons around him fleeing for their lives. The rest turned spared each other glances before turning their attention to Kieren as if asking if they really had to fight him.
Typical fucking demons, always cowering over anything bigger than them. He wasn't about to wait for them to formulate a plan either, he needed them gone and away from Airin.
He crouched to their level, a loud roar ripped through his throat eliciting fear from the rest of the once, so called "horde".
"Get the mate! If we use her-"The demon didn't have so much of a chance as to finish that sentence before Devlyn's paw swiped its head off clean. He moved over Airin's body, alarm growing when he could no longer hear her breaths and even more panic when he could only feel the faint glow of her life.
Airin, please stay with me, oh gods, please. He used the bond between them to try to heal her wounds, stop the blood somehow. Gods, why hadn't he done this before?! He wasn't thinking straight and it was going to cost Airin her life.
"Come on, Devlyn, you can't get distracted now." Devlyn didn't move from his protective stance over Airin even as he saw the glint of Kieren's blade come down onto his side. He snarled in rage, reaching over to its hilt and pulling it out with ease.
Kieren was just within reach, and still, Devlyn stayed close to her and stared at the demon prince with resolve.
ReplyDeleteHe was not about to back down, but he was not going to engage him in combat. He needed to tend to Ri as soon as possible and who knew how long Kieren would drag it out. . . and it would leave his vampire exposed and she was more important to him than killing the damned bastard. Just, go away you fucking bastard. . .
To his surprise, Kieren relaxed his stance and smirked. "Boys, lets go and leave the little wolf prince to his lovely. . . corpse."
Devlyn didn't move at those words. He didn't want to hear them, much less face the reality of the fact that. . . he couldn't feel Ri anymore.
The demons laughed as they each vanished one by one until only Kieren was left.
No. . .
Devlyn shifted back to his human form, no longer caring whether or not the fucking bastard stayed or left. His attention and concern was drawn towards Airin's pale form.
"No, please no. Airin, Airin, no!" He took her into his shaking arms, his blood stain hands ran over her pulse, waiting. . . for even a glimpse of life. No. . .
"NO!!" Devlyn cried out, his entire world shattering as it all came crashing down on him. He held her against him in a crushing grip, as if he could somehow shield her from death's grasp and bring her back.
Her skin was so cold, the scent of her blood making it harder and harder for him to deny the truth. He pulled away to examine her. Small droplets of water fell onto the her face but he was barely aware of them. "Please. .. " He begged as he leaned into her lips, "Airin, don't leave me." He whispered against them through breathless sobs" Please, gods, don't leave me, little rose."
"Oh, that's so sad. You might want to rethink that proposition I told you about earlier, Devlyn, because one way or another . .. you will serve me."
"YOU DEMONIC BASTARD!" Devlyn screamed at the top of his lungs in pure emotional pain as he heard the soft whisper of the wind announce Kieren's departure.
His wolf howled within him, mourning the loss of his mate. She was gone. . .
"I'm s… sorry, Ri. . . Gods. . . I-I'm sorry." He failed her. . .
No. . . A contrasting firm voice came to life within him, so loud, it sounded as if someone had spoken to him.
No.
". . .No." The word sunk in. No. No, he won't fail her. No, Kieren wouldn't win, he wouldn't take away his light, not as long as Devlyn lived.
He had no idea what possessed him at that point, no idea how he came to the conclusion that brought him to bite deep into his wrist and hold it against Airin's cold, lifeless lips. Nor did he have the slightest idea what he was saying as he did so. All he was aware of was that he was chanting some words in a language he didn't recognize. And only faintly, was he aware of the root power inside of him, not of his wolf, but of the godly side of him, awaken and roar to life in response.
Come back to me Airin, come back to me.
"Open your eyes, Airin."
ReplyDeleteNo. She couldn't bear it. There was nothing Devlyn could say to change Airin's mind. When silence followed, however, the dreaded curse of curiosity took over and the young vampire squinted open one eye to the vast distance below her. Her beloved werewolf prince, clad in his black hair that contrasted with his stunning blue eyes, gazed up at her hopefully and gave her a warm smile. "Come down, I know you can do it."
His voice was crystal clear even from a distance of ten feet. Airin clung tighter to the tree trunk and practically curled in on herself upon the tree branch. "No! It's too far. I'll get hurt."
"You won't get hurt, Ri, I promise."
Airin shook her head. Pain awaited her down on Earth, she could sense it looming amongst the shadows and within every tone of Devlyn's words. No, she was safer up here amongst the branches, with the cool night air billowing through each twig and leaf. It was peaceful.
"Please, Airin, don't leave me," Devlyn implored, desperation making his voice crack.
Airin winced; how his words cut her so. "... But... if I come down, you will leave me." When confusion painted the werewolf god's face, she elaborated, "You leave Elysia and myself alone while you indulge in your obsession." Airin had never been as abrupt as she was now and the shock and hurt portrayed on Devlyn's face conveyed this to her.
"I merely wish to protect you; to protect the family we have made."
Again, the vampire princess shook her head. "You may protect our lives... but you cannot protect us from the solitude you have condemned us to."
Airin turned her sights away from Devlyn, biting her lip and scrunching her eyes but the pain in her heart did not waver. This was the first time she had elicited such dismay, such torment that now painted her lovely mate's eyes. The grief had made her cruel but Airin could not deny that it was the truth. How many hours, how many days, had he spent training, calibrating, planning ever since Elysia's near abduction... how long had he spent all that time dedicated to them when not a second of it was actually in their presence. His intentions were clear and with good intention... but Airin would rather risk death every day by his side than safe and in emptiness by his bodyguards.
Her mind made up, her gaze returned to Devlyn's, in whom a spark of hope flashed across his eyes. Airin smiled a little. "Devy... if you want to protect Elysia and I... you must do so with me standing by your side as I do the same."
ReplyDeleteThe request bewildered Devlyn, at first, but his expression softened into one that Airin could not place from her distance. It almost seemed like... could it be... pride?
He outstretched his arms and it was then that Airin finally noticed the object grasped in his hands. "I fixed it, Airin, just like before, remember? But now I need you to do your part, okay?" The tiny machine flickered to life and hovered gently out of his hands as the toy bird made its way up to Airin. She betrayed a small smile as it fluttered around her, as if coaxing her in those luminescent eyes. "You'll be able to stand by me, Airin," Devlyn continued as the bird began a slow descent. "From now on."
Airin took a deep breath, those final words a wave of relief in the sea of pain. She nodded and lifted her chin as an inexplicable feeling of weightlessness and bone-crushing pressure overwhelmed her. Finally, after several seconds of building anticipation, Airin closed her eyes and shoved off from the tree branch.
She gasped as her nerves became alit with unresolved pain, digging deeper and deeper into her being in firm waves of agony. Everything down to the tiniest living cell on and inside her skin destroyed itself, only to be rebuilt anew with a tangible force that coursed through Airin mercilessly. It was meticulous and gradual and it seemed the world had collapsed and the cosmos had realigned before the pain began to dissipate. Airin sighed and resigned herself to the growing edge of slumber as a painless, serene bliss washed over her body.
"Open your eyes, Airin."
Airin's eyes fluttered open in astonishment, any irksome feelings forgotten in the sudden clarity of her senses. It was surreal; hearing, feeling even, the energy of the world as it rushed and swayed, sewing together the earth in a unity far more breathtaking than anything Airin had ever felt before. She could lie there and ponder at the wonder of this beautiful realm for all eternity, but...
"Ri? Say something, please, anything."
The young vampire turned her head to the source of that sweet, mellifluous voice and her breath was nearly stolen once more. The blue of her beloved mate's eyes were alike to the purest of sapphire crystals and the black of his hair was darker than that of a moonless night. He had his father's sharp, strong nose and his mother's soft face and the most handsome smile than anyone Airin knew. Oh, how she had taken her wonderful mate for granted!
Airin smirked as she stared into Devlyn's expectant gaze and rasped, "... Thank you for getting me out of that tree."