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As the Garuda faction took flight, disappearing into the horizon, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of weary triumph. We defended our territory, but at what cost? The blink of an eye extinguished the lives of fallen warriors from both sides, leaving their bodies broken and bloodied, scattered across the battleground.
I turned my gaze to my sentinel companions, their faces etched with both relief and grief. They fought bravely, their loyalty and unwavering support unwavering.
“Gather the wounded. We return to the stronghold. There, we shall mourn our fallen and honor their sacrifice.”
As we made our way back, the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting its warm glow upon the aftermath of war. The clash of blades and the cries of battle faded into a somber silence, broken only by the gentle rustle of the wind through the trees.
In my heart, I carried a heavy burden, knowing that the conflict with the Garuda faction was far from over. But I also carried a glimmer of hope, a belief that through understanding and compromise, we might one day find a path to peaceful coexistence.
I returned to our shared cave, my body weary and battered from the relentless battle. Evie was there, waiting for me, her eyes filled with worry and relief. She rushed to my side, her hands gentle as she helped me remove my blood-soaked armor, her touch a soothing balm against my aching muscles.
As she cleaned and dressed my wounds, I could not help but admire her unwavering strength and resilience. She faced the horrors of war alongside me, her courage and determination shining brighter than ever before. I pulled her close, my heart aching with both love and gratitude.
We lay together in the dim candlelight, our bodies entwined, seeking solace in each other’s embrace. The horrors of the battlefield slowly receded, replaced by the warmth of her presence. Her soft breathing lulled me into a fitful sleep. The nightmares held at bay by the love that bound us together.
Hours later, I awoke to a piercing scream that shattered the tranquility of the night. Evie sat upright in bed, her body trembling, her eyes wide with terror. Blood soaked the sheets beneath her.
My heart pounded in my chest, a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. I reached out to her, my hand hovering over her shaking form, unsure of what to say, what to do.
“Evie,” I whispered, my voice hoarse with concern. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
She stared at me, her eyes filled with a mix of fear and confusion, her lips parted as if she wanted to speak, but no words came out. She simply shook her head, her body rocking back and forth.
I scrambled out of bed, my bare feet cold against the stone floor. I moved closer, desperate to comfort her, to ease her distress. But as I reached out to touch her, she recoiled, her eyes wild with terror.
“Don’t touch me.”
I froze, my hand suspended in mid-air, my heart aching at the rejection. “Evie, please,” I pleaded. “Let me help you.”
She turned away from me, her shoulders hunched, her body trembling violently. I stood there, helpless, watching as she curled up into a fetal position, her sobs echoing through the cave, a haunting reminder of the horrors we both endured.
As the first rays of dawn crept through the entrance of our cave, I sat beside Evie, keeping a silent vigil over her broken form. I watched as her body slowly relaxed, her breathing gradually evening out. I stroked her hair gently, offering what little comfort I could.
When Veda arrived at dawn, I rushed out to fetch Geradi. Maybe there was hope yet to save my love.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Evie
Horror seized me when red seeped between my thighs, stark against the eggshell of my sleeping gown. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic hummingbird’s wings, as I clutched my belly, my baby.
Kuzar slept, his fierce form a hulking shadow beside me. Afraid he’d think I was pathetic, I didn’t wake him. I’d proven myself a capable warrior, a sentinel of the Goliath clan. I wouldn’t let pregnancy scare me into fragility, making me a burden.
I slipped out of bed, the cold stone floor sending a chill through me. Geradi, her wisdom deep as the canyons that cradled our settlement, was my only hope.
Geradi’s eyes widened in concern as she saw me, my nightgown crimson at the hem. She led me to his private chamber, where potions and herbs hung from the rough-hewn walls. He mixed a concoction, his gnarled hands steady despite my frantic state.
“Drink this,” he said, his voice a soothing balm. “It will stop the bleeding.”
The liquid burned my throat as I gulped it down. Then Geradi’s hands, warmer than I expected, settled on my belly. She closed her eyes, mumbling words in an ancient tongue. Her fingers traced intricate patterns over the skin stretched taut as a drum.
“It lives. Strong. Healthy. The bleeding will cease.”
Relief washed over me in waves, a balm to my frantic heart. I hugged Geradi, my savior, tears of gratitude streaming down my face.
Geradi smiled, her eyes twinkling. “You are strong, Evie Galante. Stronger than you know.”
I nodded, wiping my tears. “Thank you.”
