Heathen

|21|

Barre

     When the door closes behind us, Fray and Soleil disappear. The pregnant human was reluctant to leave her friend's side. They have a connection I'll never quite understand. Eventually, she realized that we need privacy now.

     The General is off to go find a translation chip for Elodie. It will be a relief for her to finally understand me. Just as I was ecstatic to hear her words clearly after all this time. It's a miracle. It's something I need to focus on right now.

     I'm still bristling with anger. Not only at Locanas, but the Emperor for not allowing me to execute the rapist on the spot.

     I command Slash to lay down by the door, still paranoid in this unfamiliar place. I carry Elodie through the roomy den and to the nest in the corner of the room. This place is so unlike my own den. Everything is sleek and expensive.

      Now Elodie can get a full look at what she would be missing if she went back to my den with me.

     It astonished me when she asked me if we could go back. It's all I can think of as I lay her down on the nest, the covers made of the finest silken materials the palace can offer.

     I guess it just proves that she cares for me, to give all of this up to come be with me. Does that mean she wants to be my mate?

    The thought is sweet poison, it wants to take me over, but I push it away. Now is not the time. I must comfort my Elodie, whatever she is to me, she's important.

    As soon as I climb over her in the nest, she reaches her slim arms for me, her soft skiing sliding across my neck as she clings to my body. She's still shaking, and my jaw clenches as pain sprouts in my chest. I should've been there. I should go back and kill Locanas, no matter what the Emperor says.

    "He will pay. I will make sure of it." I vow, laying down with Elodie as she clings to me, whimpering low when I let go of her for even a split second. It seems she's traumatized, all because of that bastard.

     I don't care for his ridiculous excuses. Sure, they explain his insolence, but how could he not know he was hurting her? Humans are obviously small and powerless against us. If it was a female Rytarian he was trying to rape, he would be put in his place. But, my poor Elodie could not put up a fight. I clench my fists at the idea.

     She was helpless against him. She likely fought for all she was worth, all her strength used just to be overpowered. The idea of such a feeling makes me sick. Her fear is not unwarranted.

     I lean against the back of the wall, pulling her to me and tucking her into my arms, telling her that she's safe with my body language.

      Elodie's trembling subsides, her tears dry and her breathing evens. She pulls back slightly, looking up at me with shining green eyes. I gulp. I want her to speak. I need more of her beautiful words.

      "I love you."

     And that's when my heart triples in speed. This magnificent creature loves me. Me. A beast. A Heathen. A monster. How am I worthy of the love of someone so pure?

     "I would die for you. You mean more to me than... than anything I've ever loved." I murmur, fully aware that the words mean nothing until a tiny translation device buries into her ear. I brush my fingers across her cheek to try to convey my message as best I can.

     She turns, staring up at me with glimmering green eyes.

     "You... you love me too?" Elodie wonders out loud.