26
Larz
The dark blanket that filled my vision slowly faded as my body healed. The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was Ilona, staring down at me with tears in her eyes.
She tightened her arms around me, choking me under her newfound strength. I couldn’t help but chuckle with pride.
“Hey, hey, careful.” I hugged her back with all the strength I could, which wasn’t much.
She released me, only for a moment to meet my gaze again. “Hush, you’re healed and I almost lost you.”
She pulled me in again, and this time I let her squeeze me as hard as she needed, breathing through the pain. She saved me and I owed her everything.
We sat there for what felt like hours. Ilona felt every inch of my body, just to make sure I was really there. I felt her relief wash through every cell.
“I did it,” she sighed in disbelief as she observed the last healed hole. “I actually did it.”
“I am so proud of you, Ilona,” I cupped her face. “You saved me and I owe you my life. Thank you.”
“I couldn’t let you leave me right after claiming me,” she smiled through the tears. “That would be very fucked up of you.”
The laugh that burst from me pressed into my sore ribs. “I could never leave you, my love. I’m a little bummed, though, that I don’t get to teach you how to use your new…parts. You are already a pro.”
“It was like second nature. Seeing you in trouble just ignited this instinct in me that I didn’t know I had.”
“You were amazing.”
She helped me up and led me over to the bed with a huge bowl of stew, where she forbade me to move from.
“I’m going to go make sure everything is clear, okay? Don’t move.”
Against her warning, I pushed up to my elbows, huffing with the exertion required to lift my body. She planted a hand on my chest, pushing me firmly back onto the mattress.
“I said, don’t move. Eat. Rest.”
The authority in her voice twisted my stomach and settled hot between my legs. I wanted to pull her on top of me and finish the night I’d planned, but the look in her eyes warned me she wasn’t messing around.
A few minutes later, she returned with a calmer expression, but not completely devoid of worry. I set down my half-cleared bowl of stew and opened my arms.
“So,” Ilona snuggled in close. “Were those the hunters you told me about?”
I nodded once, knowing she could feel me against her scalp. “Yes.”
“There were only five that I counted,” her voice was tinged with worry. “Someone will come looking for them eventually.”
I sighed, squeezing her tighter. “You’re right. I should’ve-” I hesitated, pressing my lips shut.
“Should’ve what?” Her soft fingers brushed over my palms. We had both shifted back into our human forms and her hands were dwarfed by mine again.
I pressed hard kisses into her hair, hoping she wouldn’t resent me. “I heard them while we were hiking here. When we moved off the trail, we lost them. I didn’t think they’d find the treehouse.”
She dropped my hand, letting it rest on her lap. The disappointment in her small gasp stabbed into my chest. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to ruin our night. It was meant to be special. I didn’t want you to worry about anything. I thought I had it handled,” I was stuck in a panicked ramble. “But I guess it didn’t matter anyway, I put us both in danger. I’m sorry for not telling you.”
Silence fell over us. Ilona went still and for a while, I thought she had fallen asleep.
“I’ve felt the fear of losing you twice.” Her voice was so low it was barely a whisper. “I can’t handle that again, Larz.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered into her curls.
“What I can handle is the truth. Even if it's scary, even if it's terrible, even if it's hard.” She shifted in my arms, looking up at me and cupping my cheek in her warm palm.
“I took a chance with you because even though it comes with risks, I believe the unknown holds some of the most beautiful discoveries, and I was right. But we have to be a team, Larz. I came to Cutwood because I wanted to escape control. I needed to get away from people thinking they knew what was best for me. I need to know you won’t do that.
We face everything together, no matter what it is. ”
“You’re right, my little stinger.” I took her fingers in mine, idly brushing my thumb over the shining gem.
“You are so much stronger than I expected. The need to protect you from all harm is part of my nature, but it was wrong of me to think that the best way to keep you safe was to keep you in the dark.”
“I also saved your ass, twice!” She pushed two fingers into my face.
“You’re right,” my voice dropped to a low, sultry rasp as I flipped her under me. “I must thank you for that.”
She giggled under me, the light in her eyes stole all my breath. “You shouldn’t be exerting yourself! You just healed from being shot! Multiple times!”
I couldn’t care less about my aching, healed wounds as I kissed down her soft body, pausing at the neat, tight curls between her thighs.
“I’ll be gentle,” I winked at her, “promise.”