23. Aldric

23

ALDRIC

T he clash of steel and the sizzle of magic fill the air as I tear through the battlefield. My wings slice through the smoke, propelling me forward with each powerful beat. Dark elves swarm around me, their faces twisted in savage grins.

"Come on, you bastards!" I roar, swinging my blade in a wide arc. It connects with flesh and bone, sending a spray of blood across my chest. The metallic scent fills my nostrils, fueling my rage.

I catch a glimpse of fiery red hair through the chaos. Elowen. She's surrounded, fighting like a likar against three towering dark elves. My heart lurches as I see her stumble, blood seeping from a gash in her side.

"No!" The word rips from my throat as I charge forward. A dark elf steps into my path, his violet eyes gleaming with malice. I don't break stride, ramming my shoulder into his chest and sending him flying.

Another comes at me from the side, his blade whistling through the air. I duck, feeling it slice through a few strands of my hair. In one fluid motion, I drive my fist into his gut and bring my knee up to meet his face. He crumples with a satisfying crunch.

I'm so close now. Elowen's on one knee, her sword trembling in her grip as she fends off blow after blow. The largest dark elf raises his mace for a killing strike.

"Elowen!" I bellow, pushing off the ground with all my might. My wings snap open, propelling me the last few feet. I collide with the dark elf just as his weapon begins its downward arc.

We hit the ground hard, rolling in the dirt and blood. His fist connects with my jaw, stars exploding behind my eyes. I grab his wrist before he can land another blow, twisting until I hear the snap of bone.

The dark elf howls in pain and fury. I silence him with a vicious headbutt, then drive my dagger into his throat. Warm blood gushes over my hand as the light fades from his eyes.

I scramble to my feet, my gaze locking onto Elowen. She's pale, so pale, her usually vibrant skin now ashen. The wound in her side is worse than I thought, dark blood soaking through her torn armor.

"Elowen," I breathe, dropping to my knees beside her. "Come on, Red. Stay with me. Don't you dare die on me now."

I cradle Elowen's body against my chest, her blood warm and sticky on my skin. My eyes scan the battlefield, searching for an escape route. Dark elves surround us, their faces twisted with cruel anticipation.

"Hold on, Red," I growl, tightening my grip on her. She lets out a weak moan, her head lolling against my shoulder.

A dark elf lunges at us, his blade flashing in the dim light. I pivot, using my wings to shield Elowen as I slam my elbow into his face. Bone crunches beneath the blow, and he staggers back with a howl of pain.

Another comes at me from behind. I whirl, my wing catching him across the chest and sending him sprawling. Before he can regain his footing, I stomp down hard on his throat. The sickening crunch of his windpipe collapsing echoes in my ears.

"Aldric," Elowen whispers, her voice barely audible over the din of battle. "Put me down. I can still fight."

"Like fuck you can," I snarl, ducking under a swinging mace. The weapon whistles past my ear, missing by mere inches. I retaliate with a swift kick to the attacker's knee, feeling it give way beneath my boot.

As he falls, I snatch the mace from his grasp and bring it down on his skull with a resounding crack. Blood and brain matter splatter across the ground.

I plow forward, using my bulk to barrel through the throng of dark elves. My wings lash out, knocking dark elves down and out of my way. I slice everyone in my reach, keeping them from getting back up. Screams of agony fill the air as I carve a path through our enemies.

A tall, muscular dark elf steps into my path, his violet eyes gleaming with malice. He twirls a wicked-looking spear, its tip dripping with some foul poison.

"Look. A little toy," he hisses, baring his teeth in a feral grin. "We'll make sure to keep you alive so you can watch her death before yours."

White-hot rage floods my veins. With a roar that shakes the very ground, I charge at him. He thrusts his spear forward, aiming for my heart. At the last second, I twist, feeling the blade graze my side. Before he can recover, I headbutt him with all my might.

The dark elf stumbles back, blood pouring from his shattered nose. I press my advantage, ramming my shoulder into his chest and driving him to the ground. In one fluid motion, I snatch up his fallen spear and drive it through his throat.

As the last dark elf falls, I survey the carnage around us. Bodies litter the ground, the earth soaked with blood. My chest heaves with exertion, every muscle screaming in protest.

But none of that matters. All that matters is the woman in my arms.

I cradle Elowen's limp form against my chest, her blood seeping into my armor and staining my pale skin. The sounds of battle fade around us, replaced by victorious shouts and cheers from our comrades.

I don't give a damn about any of it. All that matters is the woman in my arms, her life slipping away with each labored breath.

"Hang on, Red," I mutter, my voice rough with emotion. My powerful wings unfurl with a snap, stretching wide as I prepare to take flight. "Don't you dare give up on me now."

The wind whips past us as I soar over the blood-soaked battlefield, my wings beating furiously. Elowen's breathing is shallow and ragged, her skin clammy and pale beneath the dirt and grime of combat.

Fear grips my heart, cold and merciless, threatening to crush my very soul. I can't lose her. Not now. Not after everything we've been through. Not ever. I tighten my grip on her fragile form, silently willing her to hold on just a little longer.

I land hard at the base entrance, my knees buckling slightly under our combined weight. Selene rushes towards us, her eyes widening at the sight of Elowen's wounds.

"Get her to the infirmary," she orders, already moving ahead to clear the way.

I barrel through the corridors, shoving past celebrating soldiers and stunned onlookers. Nothing matters except the fading heartbeat I can feel against my chest.

"Stay with me, Elowen," I growl, kicking open the infirmary door. "Don't you dare give up now."

The healers swarm around us as I lay her on a cot. Their voices blur together, a cacophony of urgent instructions and grim assessments. I stand there, frozen, as they cut away her armor and begin their work.

"Aldric," Raziel's voice cuts through the haze. His hand grips my shoulder. "Let them work. You need to step back."

I shake my head, unable to tear my eyes away from Elowen's ashen face. "I can't leave her."

"You're not leaving her," Raziel insists, his tone gentle but firm. "But you need to let the healers do their job."

Reluctantly, I allow him to guide me a few steps back. My fists clench at my sides, every instinct screaming at me to go to her, to protect her. But I know Raziel's right. I'd only get in the way.

So I stand there, my heart pounding in my chest, watching as they fight to save the woman I love…

And holy First do I fucking love her.

The healers do all they can, and I refuse to leave. They manage to clean and stitch her wounds, but she has lost so much blood.

It's funny to me. I didn't even notice the blood. I didn't realize that there's human blood covering my hands, my instincts not even kicking in because all I want in this world is to save her.

But there's nothing to do now but wait. Let her rest and see if we were fast enough. The healers said it was too much blood, that she may not recover.

I know Elowen, though. She's a fighter. And she can fight this, too.

I pace the infirmary like a caged animal, my wings twitching with every movement from the healers. The acrid smell of blood and antiseptic burns my nostrils, but I can't bring myself to leave. Not while Elowen lies there, fighting for her life.

My chest feels like it's being crushed, each breath a struggle as I watch her pale face. The fierce, fiery woman I've come to know is so still, so fragile. It's wrong. Everything about this is wrong.

"You got this, Red," I whisper, my voice hoarse. "You're stronger than this. You have to be."

The realization hits me again like a punch to the gut, harder this time to the point that I can't ignore it. I love her. I'm in love with this stubborn, brave, infuriating human. The thought of losing her now, when I've only just figured it out, is unbearable.

I clench my fists, anger and fear warring inside me. Those fucking dark elves. They can't take her from me. Not like this. Not when we've barely begun.

In desperation, I close my eyes, reaching out to a power I've never truly believed in. Akeldama, if you're listening, I think fiercely. Don't let her die. Please. Let me keep her. Let her be my mate, my fierce little human.

I open my eyes, staring at Elowen's still form. "You hear that, Red?" I murmur, moving closer to her bedside. "You're mine. And I'm not letting you go without a fight."

I stare down at Elowen, my heart pounding in my chest. She's so still, so pale. The fiery spirit that drew me to her seems extinguished, and I feel a cold dread creeping through my veins.

"Come on, Red," I whisper, my voice cracking. "Open those eyes. Tell me I'm being an overprotective ass again."

But she doesn't move. Doesn't even twitch. The only sign of life is the shallow rise and fall of her chest, so faint I can barely see it.

I reach out, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. Her skin is cold beneath my touch, and I have to fight back the urge to gather her in my arms, to warm her with my own body heat.

"You can't do this," I growl, leaning closer. "You hear me, Elowen? You can't leave me now. Not when…" I swallow hard. "Not when I've got something to lose too."

The night before washes over me, the first time either of us had ever indicated that this was something more. Fuck, why did I wait so long?

"Remember what you told me?" I continue, desperation creeping into my voice. "You said you'd never back down from a fight. Well, this is a fight, Red. The biggest one of your life. So don't you dare give up now."

I take her hand in mine, careful not to disturb the bandages. Her fingers are limp, unresponsive. Nothing like the strong, calloused hand that's gripped mine during training, or caressed my skin in our most intimate moments.

"Please," I whisper, bringing her hand to my lips. "Please, Elowen. Come back to me."