Page 18 of My Demon Desire
They clash in a chaotic whirlwind of movement, the dragon wildly swipes with its razor-sharp claws and tail, emitting ear-piercing screeches that has me covering my ears to block out the sound.
A piece of the dragon's wing is taken out by the wolf's horns before it twists away, claws raking the wolf’s side, leaving a deep gash. As they fight with claws and teeth, blood splatters across the ground and the creatures' exhausted breaths fog the air.
Both creatures show signs of exhaustion, and I’m trapped in this cave, the prize for whoever wins. My stomach cramps and I feel like the walls are closing in on me.
In a sudden lurch, the wolf jumps, and lands on the dragon's neck, biting down until the dragon’s eyes roll up into its head and stops moving.
As the wolf lets go, the dragon falls into a heap, dead. The wolf stands still, head low, and eyes blazing with anger. My heart slams into my throat fear chokes me.
It then slowly looks up at me and our eyes meet. Its gaze is so intense that I feel like all of my strength has been drained out of me. It takes a step toward me, never breaking eye contact as it advances closer.
A mixture of fear and curiosity surges through me as I stare into its strange eyes, unsure of what to expect next. I swallow hard because as big as this wolf is, it's not quite as big as the dragon, but could be dangerous.
It shudders, letting out a low whine, then limps toward me. I stifle a scream and it lowers its head. After its body shudders, it morphs into... Thorne.
There's gashes all over his body. Blood coating his skin.
"Wait, what? You're a werewolf-monster?" I blink, still not believing my eyes.
"Unseelie," he says and clenches his teeth as he stands up, his shoulders curl inward, his breathing ragged. And he's butt naked.
My face burns as I drag my gaze up from his big, unaroused crock to his red eyes.
"T-Thank you for saving me." I press my arms to my stomach cause I feel like I'm going to be sick seeing how much pain he's in as he limps toward me.
Thorne locks me with his gaze, but his face is still ashen.
He takes an unsteady step toward me and panic fuels me, but before I know it, he's collapsing. I reach out, catching him awkwardly. His skin is super warm like he’s feverish.
He's shaking and my heart breaks for him.
My arms wrap around him, and I feel his beating heart against my chest. He smells like wildflowers and rain.
“Why did you save me?”
My heart swells, a feeling I am unfamiliar with creeping into my soul. What if he hadn’t been strong enough to save me? I choke back tears. Really, Thorne just saved my life. He dared to fight off a dragon to protect me.
His hand cups my cheek briefly and when he removes his touch, a deep ache fills me. “You were put in danger on my watch.” He trembles, then pulls back, clearing his throat. "I sense no injuries that Reis can't fix." He turns away.
So that wasn't comfort or relief that I was okay that he was holding? It was just scanning me?
I open my mouth to protest him trying to walk on his own when he seemed so weakened a moment ago.
"Let's get you back before something worse than a sluagh comes for you." He then turns and hobbles off, even though it looks like it takes the last bit of strength he has.
I watch as he limps away, my heart racing, knowing that I owe him my life. And his answer to my question about why he risked his life for me doesn’t feel like the full answer.
When I hesitate to follow him because all my emotions and thoughts feel like a jumbled mess, he says, “Come, the marucks will hunt soon."
My skin crawls at the name even though I've no idea what he is talking about. "The what?"
Thorne hesitates like he's figuring out what to say. "The demons of this world."
My heart thuds in my chest. Monsters or not, I have no other choice. And the longer I sit here, the more I feel like I'm going to freeze to death.
Thunder booms so close, the hairs on my arm stand up.
"Come. We must hurry." Thorne reaches for me and I hesitate, but I'm so cold.
