The moment the dart struck my back, I staggered.
Heat flooded my limbs, then numbness__ like my body was sinking while still standing.
I heard Seraphina scream my name, but her voice sounded far away, like she was underwater.
The cave blurred__ shadows dancing, lights spinning. My legs gave out _ I crumbled beside nyra. My hands resting on her wings.
Was this how it ended?
I blinked, the figures closed in.
Then __ a roar. It wasn't nyra, not even human.
The air changed _ electric and sharp. Like a storm had entered the cave.
Then came the sound _ swift and brutal.
I saw shadows, one in front of me__ nails long, curvy, eyes pure gold. She just killed one man with her bare hand.
A gunshot. Another. A shout cut short. A man screamed. Something crashed hard against the wall.
I tried to lift my head __ but to no avail.
A blue of black and silver swept past me. Like a shadow but with purpose.
A familiar voice barked "why the hell is she here". Low. Cold. Unforgiving.
Draven?
I tried to speak _ but couldn't.
My lips moved, but nothing came out.
Darkness bled in from the edge of my vision.
The last thing I saw was Draven kneeling beside me _ gloved hands, lifting me up gently.
His eyes were now pure gold. Anger. Wildness. Protection.
Then nothing.
---
I woke up to the warmth of a bed, soft and the scent of something _ smoke and aseptic
I opened my eyes slowly. The world felt heavy, blurry.
The ceiling above me was not so familiar. The faint glow of the chandelier __ in the corner __ I was back in the estate. But not my room.
Alive.
I turned my head. Scared I might have been abducted.
Draven sat beside the bed, elbows on his knees, hands clasped loosely. His shirt sleeves were rolled up.
His Head was bowed slightly, Raven hair falling over his eyebrows. He looked like a statue carved from patience and steel.
" Draven..." It came out as a whisper. Relief
He raised his head instantly.
There was no fury in his eyes __ just worry__
Pure quiet worry.
"You're awake" his voice low, softer than I've ever heard it.
I nodded weakly, I tried sitting up. pain flared in my shoulder.
But Draven pressed me down gently "Don't"
"What about nyra" I was worried about her
Draven was baffled, this lady was just waking up and all she could think about was that creature.
"She is safe " he said in a soft tone
"And seraphina" I asked
"She is fine too, I got to you in time " Draven said. Reminding me that I had also been there.
I was relieved that they were alright. But guilt followed immediately.
"I.... I..didn't want to hurt her" I whispered "I just wanted to set her free"
"I know but you should have told me" he said " not put yourself in harms way"
"I thought you would say no"
"I would've" he said with honesty " but I would've given you a befitting explanation"
Silence
Then gently he said "Don't do that again, Aurelia. Don't throw yourself in front of something meant to kill"
"It was just a tranquilizer " I murmured
"That doze was meant for a creature Three times your size. It could stop your heart " his eyes narrowed.
"Ohh, I'm... Sorry " I whispered
He exhaled __ slow and shaky. And for the first time since I'd met him.... Draven looked.... Afraid.
Was he afraid of me slipping away?
Or nyra slipping away?
His hand brushed my hair back from my face, lingering at my temple. A rare softness in his touch__ that I couldn't help but lean in.
"You scared the hell out of me" he whispered.
He stood up abruptly, headed to the table.
Grabbed a cup of water and placed it on the nightstand next to the bed. Before helping me up.
"Drink" he said as he fed it to me "you need rest"
I wondered how many hours I was unconscious.
"Haven't I rested enough" I asked "how long have I been laying here"
"Six hours" he answered.
"What!" I was stunned.
I didn't think I was down for that long.
"Sleep Aurelia, the doctor said you needed rest"
"But, what about...."
"Everything else can wait " he said. " You are safe now, so get some rest "
This time I wasn't questioning whether it was a prison, I preferred this to that dark cave.
My eyes slowly drifted back to sleep.
---
*Outside*
Draven found seraphina sitting on the low stone wall just outside the medical wing, knees drawn up to her chest, arms looped around them. The night wind tugged gently at her loose hair, and for once, she looked small. Quiet.
He didn't speak. Just walked over and sat beside her.
Then seraphina whispered "is she okay"
Draven nodded slowly "she's resting,"
"I didn't mean to let it get this bad" seraphina exhaled.
" I know " was all he said.
He was clearly disappointed.
If he has gone there even a minute later Aurelia won't be okay. Neither would seraphina, he might have lost them both.
"I wasn't trying to go behind you" seraphina said staring at the gravel beneath her feet.
"I didn't mean for her to get hurt, and I could have fought back harder, but Aurelia was there I couldn't risk letting her see __ who I am" seraphina jaw clenched .
Draven stayed silent.
"Are you disappointed in..... Me" she asked now staring directly at Draven.
"No" Draven didn't hesitate "just... I could have lost you both tonight, if they hadn't called me ".
She bit her lips, then held his hand gently.
"We are here. Alive. And next time...."
"There won't be a next time" he said firmly "right?" He needed seraphina assurance.
"Yes" she nodded "no next time"
They sat there in silence with seraphina head resting on Draven's shoulder.
---
I woke up.
This time around, everywhere looked more familiar.
I was in my room. I tried to turn but something was holding me in place
"Do you need something" Draven voice whispered against my ears.
His voice low and husky. His breath warm on my neck. My heart stilled.
His arms were wrapped around my waist __ pulling me close. His chest against my back.