7. Eliza

"Watch your step here," Abbadon grumbles, though the words are endearing while he effortlessly lifts me over a fallen tree.

As we trek through the ancient, primordial forest, I find myself instinctively pressing closer to his towering form, drawing comfort from his strength and heat. Yet, despite the growing trust between us, flickers of memory still haunt me—the searing pain of being callously abandoned, sick and defenseless, by my own flesh and blood.

Shuddering, I burrow into his side, his unique scent enveloping me—wood smoke and dark spices and something uniquely him. The feel of his powerful, sculpted muscles flexing beneath my hands as he moves is both thrilling and reassuring. Like the forest around us, he exudes a sense of raw, untamed power.

It"s both beautiful and perilous, much like the fearsome demon who rules over it. Abaddon is a study in contrasts—his visage fierce and bestial, all ebon skin, fiery eyes and lethal ebony claws. And yet, in the protective curl of his arm around me, the gentleness with which he helps me over fallen logs and steep inclines, I sense a different creature entirely.

Though fear still quickens my heart, it"s tempered now by a heady fascination, a desire to unravel the complex tapestry of Abaddon"s very being. For I"ve glimpsed the man beneath the monstrous exterior, the scars that speak of untold suffering and loss. A part of me yearns to soothe those wounds, even as uncertainty whispers caution.

Each second takes us farther from the wretched life I"ve known, the hurt and rejection branded into my very marrow. Replaced by the exhilarating terror of the unknown, the allure of a forbidden bond.

So I match my steps to Abaddon"s, my small hand engulfed in his massive claw, and let him lead me deeper into this wonderland of shadow and green.

He moves through this wild domain like an apex predator, all rippling muscles and deadly grace. With his jet black skin, burning crimson eyes and curved obsidian horns, he seems to embody the merciless savagery of the demon realms. An obsidian blade at his hip and the cruel curve of his talons speak to his lethal nature.

And yet, there"s a dichotomy to him. For all his demonic ferocity, his touch is unfailingly gentle when he handles me. And the way he constantly scans our surroundings, angling his big body protectively around mine, speaks to an almost tender attentiveness. A careful restraint of his innate brutality.

A playful smirk tugs at my lips as I peer up at Abbadon through my lashes. "So how do I know you aren"t just doing all this to lure me out here and eat me? I"m probably a tasty morsel compared to your usual demon fare."

Abbadon"s rumbling chuckle vibrates through his chest and into my body where I"m pressed against him. He leans down, his chiseled face mere inches from mine, red eyes glittering with dark amusement.

"Oh, I have no doubt you"d be delicious… a little snack," he purrs, brushing a clawed finger along the line of my jaw. "But eating you would be a tragic waste. There are so many more... pleasurable things I"d rather do with you."

Heat rushes to my cheeks at the sinful promise in his words. The blatant hunger in his gaze makes me shiver, though not from fear. I bite my lip, temporarily rendered mute by the images his silky innuendo conjures.

Abbadon chuckles again, clearly enjoying the effect he has on me. "Besides, I gave you my word that no harm would come to you, did I not? We demons may be many things, but we always keep our promises."

There"s an underlying solemnity to his words, for all their teasing delivery. An unspoken reminder of the depth of his commitment, his devotion to me as his destined mate.

Emboldened, I reach up and lightly flick the tip of one obsidian horn, grinning impishly at his surprised grunt. "Well, I suppose if you promised... I"d just better keep my guard up in case you change your mind and decide to make a snack of me after all."

"Brat..." Abbadon huffs, and I think I even see the hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

The playful mood shatters as a savage, guttural roar rips through the tranquil forest. Abbadon goes preternaturally still, his whole body tensing like a coiled spring. In one fluid motion, he sets me on my feet and presses a clawed finger to my lips, his crimson eyes narrowing to slits.

"Stay here," he orders, his voice a low, urgent rasp. "Do not move from this spot, no matter what you hear."

Fear clogs my throat as I nod mutely, pressing my back against a nearby tree. Abbadon turns, putting himself between me and the direction of that horrendous sound. Another roar splits the air, closer this time, followed by the splintering crack of something large crashing through the underbrush.

Abbadon snarls, the sound rumbling up from his chest, his bat-like wings mantling aggressively. He drops into a predatory crouch, clawed hands flexing, every inch the lethal demon warrior.

I watch in horrified awe as the biggest beast I"ve ever seen lurches into the clearing. It"s an abomination, all matted fur and bulging muscles, beady eyes rolling and yellowed fangs glistening with ropes of saliva. Dear gods, it"s as tall as a pony at the shoulder!

The monster lunges at Abbadon with shocking speed for its size. My heart seizes, but Abbadon meets its charge head-on, ducking under swiping paws tipped with scythe-like claws. He comes up swinging, talons raking bloody furrows across the creature"s face.

The beast rears back with an enraged screech. I press my hands over my mouth to stifle my terrified whimpers as the two titans clash in a whirlwind of fur and leathery wings, black blood and spittle flying. Abbadon is a blur of onyx skin and deadly horns, moving with preternatural speed and grace.

But the beast is so much bigger, its hide impervious to any damage that isn"t instantly fatal. Acid fear eats at my gut each time those snapping jaws get too close to Abbadon, every glancing blow that makes him grunt in pain.

I want to scream, to run and hide like a rabbit from a fox. But I force myself to stay rooted to the spot, as Abbadon commanded. All I can do is watch the vicious battle unfolding before me, my heart in my throat, silently praying to any gods that might hear me.

Please, I beg. Please let him be all right. I can"t lose him now, not when I"ve just found him...

The beast"s massive jaws clamp down on Abbadon"s shoulder and he cries out, obsidian blood spraying from the grievous wound. Fear and adrenaline flood my veins at the sight of my strong, proud demon brought low. Desperately, I cast about for something, anything I can do to help.

I spot a large rock near my feet. Snatching it up, I hurl it at the monster with all my strength, screaming at the top of my lungs to draw its attention. "Hey! Over here, you ugly brute!"

The stone bounces off the creature"s thick skull. It whips its head towards me, beady eyes narrowing, lips peeling back from gore-flecked fangs. A chill of pure terror races down my spine as I realize what I"ve done.

"Eliza, no!" Abbadon roars. With a burst of desperate strength, he wrenches free of the beast"s jaws and slams a mighty fist into its snout, sending it reeling. "Run! Get out of here now!"

I hesitate, torn between obeying and the awful knowledge that if I leave, Abbadon could die. How can I abandon him to face this monstrosity alone, wounded as he is?

But Abbadon rounds on me, his blazing red eyes wild and his features contorted with urgency. "GO!" he bellows, the unquestionable authority in his voice brooking no argument.

Tears blurring my vision, I turn and flee into the trees, my heart wrenching with every step that takes me further from Abbadon. The sounds of furious snarls and meaty impact fade behind me as I crash blindly through the undergrowth.

I"m sorry, I think desperately, my lungs and legs burning. I"m so sorry, Abbadon. Please, please be all right. You have to survive. You have to come back to me.

Another terrifying roar rips through the forest, sending icy tendrils of dread down my spine. No, no, no... Abbadon! Fighting back sobs, I force my aching legs to keep moving, to carry me away from the sounds of monstrous violence.

I crash blindly through the undergrowth, heedless of direction, knowing only that I must get away, must find safety. Thorny branches claw at my arms and face, roots seem to twist deliberately underfoot to trip me. The world passes in a blur of green and brown and gray, an endless nightmare from which I can"t wake.

It"s only when I burst into a small clearing, chest heaving and sweat plastering my hair to my neck, that I realize the horrible truth—I"m lost.

In my mindless flight, I"ve gone off course, losing all sense of where Abbadon"s estate lies.

I spin in a circle, searching desperately for any landmark, any hint of the right direction. But there"s nothing, just an ocean of ancient trees stretching in every direction, their canopy blotting out the sky.

I want to scream, to beat my fists against the uncaring bark until they bleed. How could I have been so foolish, so careless? Now I"m alone, defenseless, with no idea how to get back. Abbadon could be dying and I"m stumbling around like a witless child!

Tears stream down my face as I sink to my knees in the loam, fisting my hands in my hair.

"Please," I pray silently to any dark gods that might be listening, "please let Abbadon be alright. Guide him back to me."

I can"t survive in this savage wilderness without him.

I need him.