Chapter 26
THALRIC
Thunder rumbles outside as rain hammers our tent in a steady, punishing rhythm. My nostrils flare as instinct jolts me fully awake. Something isn’t right.
I go still, listening. The storm drowns out the world, masking scent and sound alike. I hate it. I cannot smell what’s out there or trust my ears. But every instinct within roars with warning.
We are not alone.
Aurora murmurs in her sleep beside me, her small body curled against my chest. I tighten my arm around her for a single heartbeat, holding her close.
Fierce protectiveness surges through me as I brush a damp strand of hair back from her cheek, my claws careful not to graze her soft skin. Sleep, my Auri. Nothing will harm you while I breathe.
Carefully, I ease myself away from her warmth, instantly feeling the loss of her softness against me. She murmurs something unintelligible, shifting slightly before settling again into sleep. My heart squeezes, but I force myself to focus. I must protect her. Nothing else matters.
Moving silently, I slip from the tent. Rain slicks my wings as I stalk through the trees, every instinct screaming danger.
The storm has turned the forest around us into a torrent of blurred shadows and muffled sounds, swallowing scents and masking any clear direction. My tail twitches uneasily as I strain to discern any threat hidden beneath the storm’s chaos.
Something moves again—closer now.
A snarl curls my lips as I stalk toward the sound, muscled coiled, ready to strike. Whoever dares come near Aurora will regret it.
A figure moves in the dark—tall and broad. Extending my claws, I lunge—
Ember eyes meet mine, and I freeze as recognition slams into me.
“Father?” I stare at him in disbelief.
His gray skin is cut with fresh wounds. Relief hits like a blow; I hadn’t dared to hope he lived.
He clasps my shoulder. “You survived,” he rasps. “Thank the gods. And the princess?”
“She’s safe.” I look around. “Where’s Mother? And what about the others: Fiora, Lyria, and Maribel? And the knights?”
“Shortly after you left with Aurora, we were able to defeat the Ogres. We lost five of the knights, but everyone else is alive.”
Relief floods my chest as he continues. “I will take you to them. We must get Aurora to the castle as soon as possible. There is a band of Ogres not far from here, and they are headed in this direction.”
His urgency leaves no room for doubt. The witch is closing in. “Then we must move quickly.”
As I lead him back to our campsite, he claps a hand on my shoulder. “You did well, my son… protecting Aurora and ensuring her safety, just as our line has done for the last two hundred years. I’m proud of you, Thalric.”
Despite his praise, cold settles in my chest at the reminder that this is what I’m meant to be to her—a protector, not her mate.
We’re almost to the tent when I see Aurora standing outside, scanning the darkness. “Thalric?” she calls out, an edge of panic in her tone. “Where are you?”
“I’m here, Auri,” I call back, rushing to her side. “It’s alright. My father—he found us.”
Hope flits across her features when she sees him. “Fiora and the others?” she asks. “Are they—”
“They’re fine. I’ll take you to them, but we must hurry.” He glances around the forest. “There are more Ogres not far from here. We need to leave.”
“Follow close,” my father instructs. “We’ll fly fast and low.”
I dip my chin in a subtle nod. Lifting Aurora into my arms, I spread my wings and lift up into the air. The storm rages around us as we wind through the trees. As we make our way back to the others, my resolve is stronger than ever.
No matter what comes, no matter the threat, Aurora will remain safe. I will allow no one to harm she who is mine. Nothing—be it fate, curse, or monster—will harm her as long as I breathe.