Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

G rabon perched high in the canopy, hidden amongst the lush foliage as he watched over Vera. He was determined to protect her, despite her rejection. His keen eyesight picked out the tear stains on her cheeks as she slumped on a ledge outside the chamber they'd discovered, and he fought the urge to return and comfort her. Instead he clenched his fists, frustration and concern warring within him.

Although he disagreed with her conclusions, her fierce passion about her discovery aroused his reluctant admiration. Not just my admiration , he thought ruefully as his cock stirred. The sight of her standing there, her eyes shining with excitement, her face flushed and passionate had left him torn between kissing her and lecturing her.

Perhaps I made the wrong choice , he thought, but he couldn't bear to imagine her in danger. Her unwavering belief in the importance of these ruins, both impressed and terrified him. He'd seen too many good warriors fall chasing prophecies and ancient myths.

At least she listened to him enough to remain in the valley. She should be safe here, especially with him watching over her. He'd just settled back on the branch when she rose to his feet and he sighed. He should have known better than to expect his fierce little female to simply wait for morning to arrive.

The light had not completely faded from the valley and she was taking advantage of it, determined to the end. He watched as she ran her fingers over the weathered stone of the cliff, her face a mask of concentration. Even angry, she was beautiful. The way her eyes lit up when she discovered something new made his heart race.

He quietly flew closer, landing with a soft rustle of leaves. He froze, but Vera seemed too engrossed in her exploration to notice. He let out a quiet breath, relieved yet oddly disappointed. Part of him wanted her to see him, to understand that he'd never truly leave her side.

Never?

He tried to remind himself that he couldn't remain at her side forever, but the thought only made his chest ache. He'd told her truthfully that a return to Earth was not possible, but there were sanctuary planets in the empire. Planets where she would be safe.

Not as safe as she would be if I were watching over her.

The jungle hummed with life around them, as the day creatures prepared for the upcoming night and the night creatures began to stir, but he tuned it all out, his senses hyper-focused on her. He'd faced countless battles, but nothing had prepared him for the complexity of emotions his little female created within him. He was drawn to her strength, her intelligence, her compassion - and yet, those very qualities terrified him.

His wings twitched, longing to wrap around her, to shield her from harm, but he knew she'd never permit him to shelter her from the world. He even admired her independent spirit, despite the fact that it clashed with his protective instincts.

She let out a soft gasp of excitement and he saw that she'd found a narrow ravine in the rocks. He watched in dismay as she vanished into it. The space was too small for him to follow her without revealing his presence, but he didn't like having her out of his sight. He was debating taking to the air and watching her from above when she gave a startled cry.

Forgetting all about concealment, he flung himself into the ravine after her. He found her sitting on a boulder by a small waterfall, her face contorted in pain as she clutched her ankle. Fuck. He never should have left her, never let his pride keep him at a distance.

She looked up as he approached and he was sure relief flashed across her face before she stiffened.

"I tripped over a rock," she admitted reluctantly, giving him a wary look.

"It's easy to do in this light."

He kept his voice carefully neutral and she relaxed a little.

"I should carry you back to the village," he added, reaching for her, but she immediately recoiled.

"I'm perfectly capable of walking by myself."

Her defiant tone and her proud posture sent a surge of lust coursing through him. His cock immediately thickened and he groaned softly under his breath. Why did his body insist on finding her antagonism so arousing?

"Let me help you."

"Why?" she challenged, crossing her arms over her chest. "So you can try to convince me that I shouldn't explore the ruins tomorrow? I won't change my mind, and there's no point in us rehashing the same argument."

"That wasn't my intention," he said truthfully as she gave him a suspicious look. "But if you won't return to the village, at least let me tend to your ankle."

"You know how to do that?"

He hid a smile at her suspicious tone, kneeling down in front of her and gently lifting her leg. Her breath caught as he touched her, but he did his best to ignore it as well as his own immediate response.

"I'm trained as a medic and I've had a lot of experience dealing with injuries," he said, his hands gently tracing the bones and tendons in her foot and ankle. "Do you feel any pain here?"

"No. Your hands are very gentle."

He gave her a sideways glance.

"I'm always careful with the things that are precious to me," he said, meaning more than just her ankle.

She bit her lip but didn't respond as he continued examining her leg, asking questions every few seconds as he slowly worked his way up towards her knee. He could tell that the damage was minor, but he used the time to draw out the examination, wanting to reassure her and himself that she was uninjured. And perhaps, just a little, because he wanted his hands on her for as long as possible.

"How does it feel?" he asked, finally straightening up.

She gave her foot an experimental wiggle.

"Better, actually. You must be a miracle worker."

He allowed a faint smile to touch his lips.

"Good."

He knew he should get up and help her to her feet, but he was overwhelmingly conscious of her proximity, her scent. His gaze swept over her, admiring her delicate features, her pretty lips, the flame of her hair, vivid even in the dimness. As his gaze dropped lower he saw the stiff little peaks of her nipples tenting the thin Elvar cotton of her gown. The knowledge that she was aroused as well only added to his torment.

"I … I'll wrap your ankle. To protect it."

His voice sounded hoarse, strange, as he retrieved a roll of bandages from the small medical kit he carried in his utility belt. Once again he took his time, gently smoothing her skin each time he made a loop around her ankle. By the time he was finished her breath had quickened, a pretty flush on her cheeks. He kept his hand on her ankle, gently feathering his thumb across the silky skin of her calf.

"I'm sorry about before," he said quietly. "I know it's a remarkable discovery, and I know you only want to help the Elvar."

The pleasure that had filled her eyes disappeared as she tilted her head and regarded him. His night vision was excellent and he could see her quite clearly, but he suspected his face was little more than a shadow to her.

"Then why were you so dismissive?"

His thumb traveled higher, finding the sensitive area behind her knee.

"Prophecies are tricky things. I cannot stand the idea that you might be hurt."

He hadn't intended to confess that much but he refused to retract his words. A soft smile curved her lips and she gently touched his face, her small fingers creating a firestorm of desire.

"I don't want you to be hurt either."

"I can take care of myself," he said gruffly.

"So can I. Despite the fact that I just tripped over a rock."

He bit back an instinctive desire to protest, to assure her that he would take care of her. This was about acknowledging her strength, not his protectiveness.

"Fierce little human."

She smiled as her hand drifted from his cheek to his mouth, gently tracing his lips.

"Very fierce. Especially when I want something."

"And what do you want, Vera?"

"You," she whispered. "I want you."