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Amidst the chaotic melee, my instincts screamed at me to survive, to get back to Evie. An unfamiliar protectiveness surged through me, a fierce determination to shield my unwanted human bride from the horrors of war.
I dodged and weaved through the maelstrom of battle, my wings beating furiously, my claws slashing at any Sobek who dared to come near me. My heart pounded in my chest, a savage drumbeat echoing in my ears. The acrid stench of blood and sweat filled my nostrils, mingling with the swirling sand and grit.
During the madness, I saw Evie’s face, her eyes wide with terror as she huddled in the safety of our cave home. A wave of guilt washed over me. I brought her into this world of violence and bloodshed. I made her a target.
I wouldn’t let them hurt her. I wouldn’t let them destroy my clan.
With renewed vigor, I fought on, my every move fueled by desperation. I targeted the Sobek leader once more, this time severing his tail with a well-aimed swipe of my claws. The Sobek leader let out a pained screech and retreated, his followers scattered in all directions.
We survived, but at a significant cost. Many of our warriors fell, their lives extinguished in the blink of an eye. Gorm nursed a nasty wound on his shoulder, and Voltan lost an eye. Draknar was unscathed, but his eyes held a haunted look.
We won the battle, but the war was far from over. The Sobek would be back, stronger and more determined than ever. We prepared ourselves for the inevitable onslaught.
As we made our way back to our settlement, the weight of the day’s events settled heavily upon my shoulders. I witnessed firsthand the horrors of war, the senseless loss of life. Evie was now caught in the crossfire of a conflict that was far beyond her understanding.
Upon reaching our cave home, I found Evie huddled in a corner, her body trembling, her eyes wide with fear. At the sight of me, she let out a gasp, her eyes filling with a mixture of relief and terror. Mud drenched her face and body.
I approached her cautiously, my heart aching at the sight of her distress. “Evie, it’s over. We’re safe now.”
She said nothing, just stared at me with those wide, frightened eyes.
I reached out and gently took her hand in mine. It was cold and trembling. “Come,” I said, pulling her to her feet. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
I led her to the nearby stream, where I helped her wash away the dirt and blood that clung to her skin. As I did, I couldn’t help but notice the bruises and cuts that marred her delicate flesh. My heart ached at the thought of what she must have endured during the battle.
Once she was clean, I wrapped her in a soft blanket and carried her back to our cave. I laid her down on the bed of furs and sat down beside her, taking her hand in mine.
For a long moment, we sat in silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts. The battle took a heavy toll on both of us, both physically and emotionally.
Finally, Evie turned to me, her eyes filled with tears. “Kuzar.” Her voice was barely a breath. “This is all my fault. If I hadn’t come here, you wouldn’t be in this war.”
I shook my head. “No, Evie,” I said firmly. “This is not your fault. This is a war between our clans, a war that has been brewing for generations. You are not to blame.”
“But I’m different." Her voice filled with shame. “I’m not like you or your people. I’m a human. I don’t belong here.”
“You belong here with me,” I said, squeezing her hand. “You are my mate, and I will protect you.”
She looked at me, her eyes searching mine. “Do you mean that?”
“With all my heart,” I said, and for the first time since I brought her to this harsh and unforgiving land. A glimmer of hope emerged. Perhaps we could bridge the vast chasm that separated our two worlds.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Evie
“Something feels off with the Sobek’s tactics.” A frown clouded his face. Veda and I joined the hunting party’s families and younglings huddled around the communal fire in case of messages from the border. An eerie premonition gripped me. Unable to settle, I sat alone at the edge of camp, tracing Kuzar’s crude map of the territory in the dirt with a stick, heart beating wildly.
Hours passed, anxiety eating at me, my eyes never leaving the ridge line beyond which the Sobek territory started. Gloom descended, casting an ominous shadow. Every creak of the rocks, every echoing animal call from the canyons, made me jump. Veda, sensing my distress, hovered nearby, her youthful face creased with worry. Startled, I jumped at a sudden commotion. Half the clan abruptly rose at the sight of a familiar obsidian gargoyle hurtling through the smoky, purple sky toward us. It was Tyras, one of Kuzar’s lieutenants, who we rarely saw in the settlement. My stomach clenched. Something terrible surely happened.
Tyras landed with a heavy thud, dust spraying outward. His face was grimy with sweat, wings weary, body tensed and battle-worn. A heavy silence blanketed the settlement as he hurried toward the chieftain, who stepped forward with a grim expression. They spoke in hushed tones, their faces grave. Eerie ripples of unease coursed through the crowd. The chieftain turned, his resonant voice cutting through the quiet. “The Sobek attacked. They came faster than expected, wanting bloodshed. A larger force than we expected. Kuzar led our hunters against them to protect our lands, but they retreated quickly, leaving a trail of dead and injured.”
Murmurs turned into anguished cries and shrieks, piercing the air. Panic quickly engulfed the settlement. Mothers gathered their children close, younglings clung to their elders, and warriors checked their weapons. I watched the scene in shock, my heart in my throat. Did the Sobek capture Kuzar? Or, worse still, did they kill him?
I couldn’t bear the thought. A wave of dizziness swept over me, and I gripped the rock behind me to keep from falling. Veda’s hand gripped mine like a lifeline. Despite everything, a stubborn wisp of hope remained. Kuzar was strong and skilled. He was a fierce warrior and would fight for his life and for the clan.
As the panic subsided into a solemn determination, Tyras approached, his eyes scanning the crowd until they found me. His gaze held a mixture of sympathy and admiration. “He told me to tell you not to worry,” he said, his voice gruff. “He promised he will be back.”
His words were like a balm on my aching soul. I nodded, my resolve solidifying. I would wait for him. I would pray for his safe return. Fear won’t consume me. Kuzar was out there, fighting for what was right. He would come back to me. I believed it.
