26. Bella

26

BELLA

I cradle Jytos's head gently and bring a wooden bowl of broth to his lips. "Easy now," I murmur, tipping it slowly. "Small sips."

His eyes lock onto mine, gratitude shimmering in their depths. Even in his weakened state, he exudes an aura of power that makes my heart race.

"Tastes like shit," he grumbles, but drinks obediently.

I can't help but chuckle. "Well, I'm no master chef. But it'll help you heal."

As I tend to him, my mind wanders. Who would've thought I'd end up here, nursing this formidable creature back to health? The village elders certainly didn't see this coming when they offered me up as a sacrifice.

Jytos shifts, wincing. His tentacles twitch, and I gently smooth them down. "Easy," I soothe. "You took quite a beating."

"Fucking waira," he snarls. "Should've ripped them all to shreds."

I smile, oddly comforted by his ferocity. "You did pretty well, considering."

His hand finds mine, squeezing with surprising gentleness. "We did well," he corrects. "Your aim was impressive."

I can't help but feel a sense of pride at his praise. I've come so far from the meek village girl I once was. "I had a good teacher," I reply, leaning in to kiss his forehead.

He growls softly, a sound that sends a wave of excitement through me. "When I'm fully healed," he rumbles, "I'll show you just how good a teacher I can be."

I blush, but don't look away. "I look forward to it," I whisper. "But for now, rest. Doctor's orders."

He snorts but settles back, allowing me to change his bandages. As I work, I marvel at how natural this feels. My hands move with confidence as I apply salves and rewrap his wounds.

"You know," I muse aloud, "I always wanted to be a healer. Back in the village, they said I was too soft-hearted."

His laugh is a low rumble. "Soft-hearted? The woman who speared a waira through the gut?"

I grin, feeling a rush of confidence. "I guess I've changed a bit."

"You've grown stronger," he says, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "But your heart... that kindness. That's what saved me."

Our eyes meet, and in that moment, I know I'm exactly where I'm meant to be.

"We saved each other," I whisper, leaning in to capture his lips in a gentle kiss.

Later that day, I pace around the cave reflecting on the recent battle and the ongoing waira threat in the region. I pause for a moment and lean against the rough cave wall. My fingers absently trace the intricate patterns of moss growing there. The air is thick with the scent of healing herbs and the metallic tang of blood. Jytos shifts on his makeshift bed, his tentacles twitching restlessly.

"I heard the waira howling last night," I say, breaking the silence. "They're getting bolder."

He grunts, his green eyes flashing with barely contained fury. "Fucking pests."

I bite my lip, hesitating before voicing the thought that's been nagging at me. "They... they attacked my old village again."

His gaze snaps to mine, sharp and questioning. "How do you know?"

"I saw the smoke," I admit. "When I was gathering herbs yesterday. It was rising from that direction."

His tentacles coil tightly, a clear sign of his agitation. "And? What of it? Those bastards sacrificed you. Let them burn."

His words are harsh, but I can't deny the small, vindictive part of me that agrees. Still, I shake my head. "It's not just about them. The waira are getting more aggressive. What if they come back here in greater numbers?"

He barks out a laugh, wincing slightly at the movement. "Let them come. I'll tear them apart, rip their fucking hearts out."

"You're still healing," I remind him gently. "And even at full strength, we barely survived the last attack."

His eyes narrow, a growl rumbling in his chest. "What are you suggesting?"

I take a slow, steady breath, steeling myself. "Maybe... maybe we should consider leaving. Once you're healed, of course. Find somewhere safer, away from the waira packs."

For a moment, silence reigns. Then he sits up abruptly, ignoring my protests about his wounds. His tentacles reach out and wrap around my waist pulling me close.

"Leave?" he snarls, his face inches from mine. "This is my territory. Our territory. I don't run from anything, especially not those mangy fuckers."

I shiver, not entirely from fear. His possessiveness, his raw power, it both terrifies and thrills me. "I'm not saying we should run," I explain, placing a hand on his chest. "But sometimes, a tactical retreat is the smart move. We could find a better defensible position, somewhere with more resources."

His grip on me tightens, but not painfully. His eyes search mine, and I can see the conflict there. "You want to leave because you're scared," he accuses.

"I'm scared for you," I admit. "For us. Is that so wrong?"

His expression softens slightly, one hand coming up to cup my face. "No one's ever given a shit about my safety before," he murmurs.

I lean into his touch. My heart aches for the loneliness he must have endured. "Well, I do. And I'm not going anywhere without you. But I think we need to consider our options."

He's quiet for a long moment, his thumb tracing my cheekbone. Finally, he sighs. "Fine. We'll talk about it."

With that, he pulls me down onto the bed beside him, his tentacles wrapping around me. As I settle against his warmth, a hopeful smile plays on my lips.

I curl up closer next to him and rest my head on his chest. The steady thrum of his heartbeat is a comforting rhythm that grounds me as my mind wanders to the future.

"Jytos," I murmur, "Can you try and picture a life somewhere away from this cave?"

He grunts, his arm tightening around me. "Why the fuck would I want to? We've got everything we need right here."

I bite my lip, hesitating. "I know, but... There's so much out there we haven't seen."

His tentacles twitch, betraying his agitation. "Out there is fucking dangerous, Bella. Here, I can protect you."

"You nearly died protecting me here," I remind him gently. "What if we found somewhere better? Somewhere we could build a real life together?"

He shifts slightly. His green eyes bore into mine, intense and searching. "What kind of life are you dreaming of?"

I feel my cheeks flush under his scrutiny. "I don't know, exactly. Maybe... a home of our own? Somewhere we could explore without constant threat. Where we could..." I trail off, suddenly embarrassed.

"Could what?" he presses, a hint of a growl in his voice.

I take in a slow breath. "Where we could maybe... start a family someday?"

For a moment, he's silent, and I fear I've said too much. Then, to my surprise, he laughs. It's a deep, rumbling sound that vibrates through his chest.

"A family?" he repeats, shaking his head. "Bella, you really are something else."

I start to pull away, stung, but his tentacles wrap around me, holding me close.

"Hey," he says, softer now. "I didn't say no. It's just... not something I ever thought possible."

Hope blooms within me. "So you're not opposed to the idea?"

He snorts. "Opposed to the idea of little Bellas running around? Fuck no. But you need to understand something."

His hand cups my face, forcing me to meet his gaze. "It doesn't matter where we go. Waira, dark elves, orcs – none of that shit matters. I will always, always protect what's mine. And you, Bella, are mine."

The possessiveness in his voice sends a shiver through me. "I know," I whisper. "I just... I want us to have a chance at a real future. Without constant fear."

His expression softens, just a fraction. "Fear keeps you alive, little human. But I get it. You want more than just survival."

I nod, relieved that he understands. "Is that so wrong?"

"No," he admits. "It's not wrong. It's fucking terrifying, but it's not wrong."

I can't help but laugh at that. "The great Jytos, last of the Umbrath, scared of a little domestic bliss?"

His tentacles give me a playful squeeze. "Watch it, or I'll show you just how un-domestic I can be."

I grin and joke playfully. "Is that a promise?"

I nestle closer to him, his warmth enveloping me like a cocoon. As I trace the intricate patterns of his tentacles with my fingertips, a profound realization washes over me.

"You know," I murmur, "I used to dream about finding my place in the world. Turns out, it's right here with you."

"Damn straight it is," he growls, his arm tightening around me possessively. "You're mine forever, Bella. No matter where we end up."

His words send a delicious sensation through my body. I used to think such possessiveness would frighten me, but with Jytos, it feels like coming home.

"I mean it," I continue, emboldened by his response. "The village, this cave, wherever we might go in the future... none of that matters. You're my home now."

A rumble of approval vibrates through him. "And you're my home, Bella," he declares.

He suddenly shifts despite his wounds and rolls us over so he's hovering above me. His tentacles cage me in, but instead of feeling trapped, I feel utterly safe. Protected.

His lips crash into mine, fierce and demanding, I lose myself in the sensation. This is where I belong, I think hazily. In the arms of this powerful, complex creature who sees me for who I truly am.

When we finally break apart, both breathless, I cup his face in my hands. "I love you, Jytos," I whisper, the words carrying the weight of absolute truth. "Whatever comes next, whatever we face, we'll face it together."

His expression softens, just for a moment, before that familiar glint of determination returns to his eyes. "Together," he agrees, sealing the promise with another searing kiss.