Chapter 5 - Lifesaver

Thail

My mate is a crazy one. Brave and fierce, but utterly wild for rushing at the giant jormungandr with a stick.

Why isn't she running away? I told her to go! Yet here she is, swatting a gigantic stick at the monster.

Wait.

Is it because of me? It must be. She must be trying to protect me, which is cute but also fills me with guilt. I should be the one keeping HER safe, yet she is the one saving my life.

Like a warrior, Talia yells in her language while hitting the giant monster with her little stick in its eye. "Die bitch!"

The jormungandr screeches at the pain. The monster must be shocked that a tiny creature has managed to hit its eye. It disappears into the sand, which gives me plenty of time to stand up.

Pain rings in my entire body, but my mate is there to try and help me stand, and I'm amazed all over again. She doesn't look built for battle, yet she came to my aid. I'm lucky to have her.

"We have to get away from here," I tell her, and nod at the cave since I know she can't understand me. "Shelter."

"I don't know what you just said, but you're heavy," my mate groans while trying to help me walk toward safety. When I fall to one knee, I realize she must be swearing. "Fuck! Why do you have to be so big?! I don't want to leave you! You have to stand up!"

I can detect the worry in her voice, and when I meet her eyes, I wish I could tell her that sex will heal me or even a kiss.

A kiss...

With newfound determination, I stand up. The jormungandr is hiding in the sand, readying itself for another attack. The tremors can be felt underneath my bare feet.

Soon it will attack us, and without explanation, I grab my mate's face and press my lips to hers. She mewls into my mouth and places her delicate hands on my chest. Still, I won't let her push me away.

I hold her wrists, kissing her fiercely until I can feel my heartbeat roar to life as energy gathers in my core. It won't be enough to defeat this jormungandr, but I can put up a fight.

My lips curl, and then I push Talia away from me. She shrieks in surprise, and I can't but chuckle at the glare she sends me. Talia doesn't seem to understand why I pushed her. Not before the giant sand snake appears in the area where my mate once stood.

A screech makes me wince, and the jormungandr attacks me without mercy. Massive jaws close down on my arm, and I'm flung backward. Hot liquid runs down my chest—blood mixed with green fluid from the monster's mouth.

It hurts, yet I determinedly spread my wings to grip the sand better. The creature is looking at Talia, probably filled with thoughts of revenge. I won't let it touch her. Never.

With as much speed as I can muster, I swing at its long neck with my razor-sharp claws. The jormungandr screeches in my ears, and I hear Talia screaming in the background.

She is worried about me. It motivates me even more. My legs might throb, and my bones are aching, but I'm alive. I also won't give up and continue slashing at the monster.

I haven't fought many battles in my life. I'm a young demon, but I'm still a demon—I let my inner instincts take over. Rage fuels my movements, and I ignore the pain when the creature bites my wings once more. There isn't much left of them, but they will grow back.

All I care about is protecting Talia. We just found each other, and a battle cry leaves my lips as I attack the monster again. It bites me too, and my arms feel dangerously close to snapping off when it closes its mouth, but this was my plan!

With the little movement I can do, I cut at its tongue, and the creature screams in agony. I withdraw my hands, and the jormungandr decides it's had enough of me—it disappears into one of its holes.

Panting, I stand a proud victor, only to turn around once I hear Talia screaming my name behind me. Did something happen? Did the jormungandr hurt her?

Concern over my mate's well-being fuels my body, and I'm given enough strength to turn around. It doesn't matter that I'm half-dead and blinding. I must get to my mate.

"Talia!"

I walk forward, stopping once sharp pain makes me fall to my knees. Talia is with me in less than a second.

"Are you okay?" she speaks in gibberish. "Did the creature hurt you? I can't believe you went and attacked it! Why do you go to such lengths for my sake, you idiot?!"

Her beautiful face jerks me free from the bloodthirst clouding my mind. I still haven't retracted my claws, but I calm down once she touches my shoulders. Her touch is feather-light.

"You're bleeding! And there are bruises everywhere!"

Tears are spilling from Talia's eyes. Is she worried about me? That's silly. I will heal from these wounds, but I like that she cares. She is making a fuss and inspecting the rest of my body.

My arms are throbbing, and my entire body feels incredibly sore from having battled such a large creature. Even my tail hurts, and my ribs are already a nasty color.

But this pain is a small price to pay for the safety of Talia. She is everything to me, and I tiredly watch her openly sob and stare at my injuries. I think she is in shock.

"Talia..." I breathe. I want to hold her close, breathe in her scent, and celebrate that she is safe.

Her eyes move to mine, and I frown. There is an enormous scrape on her cheek and a purpling bruise on her shoulder. Did I do that when I pushed her onto the sand? She must have landed on a rock—to think I chuckled at her when she glared!

"Talia..." I murmur, horrified that I caused her pain. I'm ashamed of myself. I thought I was protecting her, but I harmed her. I'm a terrible mate, and my stomach churns with guilt. "I'm sorry... I know you can't understand, but I'm sorry... My poor mate."

Without explanation, Talia sobs and flings her arms around me, squeezing my neck. I freeze because I'm filthy. Blood is seeping from my wounds, and there is a green liquid from the creature's mouth, yet Talia clings to me with a fierceness that makes me melt.

She wishes for me to comfort her even though I have hurt her? Is that it? I don't deserve it. I'm a terrible mate, but she is safe—I can put down my guard for one second.

I press my face against her neck, inhaling her scent. So vanilla-like and flowery. Clean. My nostrils flare, and I hum in contentment, thrilled that she lets me smell her.

"You really are a big guy," Talia mumbles. I don't understand, but she gestures with her hand to signal height.

It makes me grin.

She is standing while I'm sitting down in the sand. The size difference between us is ridiculous, but I like it. It makes me feel manlier somehow, and I lean into her.

Talia, in return, lets out a deep breath. Her small hand is in my hair, caressing the backside of my horns. It feels great, and the mate bond makes our hearts sing.

My eyes close, and Talia sobs my name. "Thail... Thail..."

I like hearing my name on her lips. For a moment, I forget the world, but Talia pats my shoulder over and over again.

"You can't fall asleep... Not yet! What if that thing comes back? You're hurt, and I have to tend to your wounds. I know you're weak, but we can't stay here. We have to get back to the cave. We need shelter."

Talia is saying something I can't understand. Shelter? Is that what she means? She is pointing in the direction of the cave, and I realize I must take her there. I can't pass out, not yet. Talia isn't safe here.

That realization makes me force myself up on my legs. My wings are broken, but there is some magic in my veins. I'm a capable demon and a warrior. I've been wounded in the past—I can handle this. But Talia? She is my fragile, beloved mate. I won't let anything happen to her.

I pick her up into my arms. She shrieks in protest, saying something to probably make me put her down, but I ignore it. Excruciating pain is shooting up my spine, but I don't want to let Talia go, not before making sure we are both in safety.

Slowly but surely, I make it to the cave. Talia is staring at me. I grin at her and try to look like I'm not dying. Her eyes keep their concern, and I tighten my hold on her before I enter my home.

Walking took all of my energy. Once inside, I only get to put down Talia before I fall forward.

My mate screams. "THAIL!"

It makes me breathe a laugh.

Why is Talia yelling?

Silly mate...

I'm fine. I just need to close my eyes a little…