Chapter 17
THALRIC
The battlefield is chaos as the Ogres battle the knights, the clash of steel ringing through the woods as bolts of powerful magic arc through the air.
The scent of blood is thick all around me, clinging to the back of my throat as I slash my claws through the nearest beast, tearing into his thick hide.
Blood splatters across my arm as the Ogre staggers back and then collapses.
I spin toward the carriage, searching for Aurora.
My eyes lock onto her trembling form as she kneels beside an injured Fiora. Panic grips my chest as an Ogre grabs her ankle and jerks her away.
Spreading my wings, I launch into the air as she kicks out, struggling to break free. He raises his sword overhead and Aurora screams, the sound piercing straight through my chest as she cries out my name.
Primal instincts surge through me and a thunderous roar rips from my throat. I will end him for daring to harm my mate. Folding my wings to my back, I dive toward the ground, slamming into the Ogre and knocking him away from Aurora.
We hit the ground in a tangled mass of limbs. Raking my claws across his chest, I score them deep into his flesh until I hit bone.
He dared to hurt she who is mine, and I will make certain that he breathes no more.
The Ogre tries to stand, but I lash out with my tail, knocking his feet out from under him. Before he’s even hit the ground, I swipe out with my claws, delivering the final death blow. I watch in cold satisfaction as the light fades from his eyes.
Chaos still rages around us as I spin back to Aurora. Her wide eyes meet mine as I rush to gather her into my arms.
“Thalric, look out!” she cries, her gaze locked onto something behind me.
I start to twist back, but searing pain tears through me as an Ogre stabs me with his dagger. My vision blurs as he snarls and presses it deeper into the left side of my torso.
Agony sears through me as the blade twists, but pain is nothing.
Nothing compared to the thought of her scream echoing in my ears.
Rage blisters through me. He dared lay hands on my mate.
With a roar that shakes the battlefield, I drive my claws into his chest and rip out his heart. No one touches what is mine and lives.
His jaw drops as he stares at me, completely dumbfounded. Blood gushes over my hands as the ogre collapses with a strangled cry and falls still.
Gritting my fangs, I grip the dagger and pull it free. I press a hand to my wound as dark blood oozes between my fingers.
The pain is excruciating, but I shove it aside, forcing my gaze toward Aurora. The battle still rages around us. I must keep her safe.
My head jerks toward the thick of the battle, and dread sinks cold and heavy into my gut. All around us, several knights fight bravely, their armor splintering under brutal blows.
Lyria and Maribel’s magic flares weaker now as their strength begins to wane. My parents battle alongside several other Gargoyles, their claws rending the Ogre’s thick hides, but they, too, are faltering beneath overwhelming numbers.
We cannot win here.
I pull Aurora behind me as another Ogre surges forward. I lash out with my tail, but before I even reach him, an arrow punches through his chest and he falls to the ground.
A desperate shout pierces the chaos. “Thalric!” I recognize my father’s voice. “Get her to safety! Go!”
Maribel and Lyria echo his command, their eyes meeting mine as they use their fading magic to knock back two more Ogres charging toward us.
Without hesitation, I scoop her into my arms, holding her tight to my chest as I lift into the sky. I beat my wings furiously as I surge upward.
The Ogres unleash a barrage of arrows. The sharp whistling sound of death carries on the wind as I race toward the trees.
Pain tears through me as an arrow sinks into my shoulder and another slices through my left wing.
Warm blood trails down my body as I fight against the searing agony, struggling to remain aloft.
“Thalric!” Aurora’s voice cracks with terror. “You’re hurt—”
“Hold on,” I rasp, forcing my wings to keep flapping. Each stroke is torture, my muscles aching as I rush through the woods.
I push through the agony. I cannot stop. I won’t stop. Not until she’s safe.
I force my wings to keep beating, but they are slow to respond. Night stretches around us as pain drains my energy, darkening the edges of my vision.
Up ahead, I notice a clearing as I struggle to remain conscious. Panic fills me as the ground races toward us with dizzying speed. Futilely, I try to flap my wings, but they won’t respond.
Despite my attempts to aim toward it, I miss the clearing entirely. Curling my body protectively around Aurora, we crash through the trees. I twist onto my back at the last second, slamming into the ground, shielding her from the impact as we crash to the earth.
Darkness begins to close in swiftly, pulling at the edges of my consciousness.
Aurora touches my face, her warm brown eyes staring down at me in concern. “Thalric, please. You must stay awake.”
I want so much to speak. To reassure her that I will heal, but I don’t even have the strength to respond. Her warm scent of honeysuckle and lavender fills my nose, comforting and familiar.
“Thalric, please.” Tears escape her lashes and drip onto my skin. “Don’t leave me.”
My fingers twitch, desperate to touch her, but I cannot move or even speak.
Unable to fight its pull, my head tips back, and I close my eyes. As consciousness fades, one truth pulses through me, fierce and unyielding: I will always protect her. No matter the cost.