The sound of fast approaching footfalls has me glancing over my shoulder as the hideous milky eyes of the deadling meet mine. I swear my blood runs cold. “He’s fast.”
“They all are.”
But how did I outrun one before? I look forward in time to duck under a low-hanging branch, its leaves slapping me in the face. A deep, bellowing noise fills the surroundings as Novasuddenly collides with something. My heart drops as she falls, sending Tristan and me sprawling on the ground, both of us rolling several times before coming to a stop. Tiny cuts litter my exposed skin, and my dress is coated in a thick layer of dirt as I hastily get up and rush to help Tristan stand.
With a swift motion, Tristan positions himself between me and the deadling, shielding me from any harm. Blood coats the creature's face, giving its grayish skin a gruesome appearance. It launches itself at us and Tristan moves fast, grabbing the creature around the neck and swinging onto its back. The deadling rears back, a high pitch screech emitting from its throat. I quickly release my dagger, which I have strapped to my waist, and run. Tristan’s eyes meet mine, filling with panic when he realizes what I’m going to do.
With a quick duck, I evade the deadling's flailing arms and drive my weapon into its chest. The give of skin and bones makes bile rush up my throat. The deadling goes wild, and the unexpected backhand knocks me off balance and sends me sprawling across the ground, and I’m disoriented by the bright lights flashing behind my eyes.
Digging my fingers into the soft dirt beneath me, I look up and see it sink its sharp nails into Tristan’s side, flinging him off its back.
My breath catches in my throat as I struggle to my feet. I need to help him. My steps are off balance and I swear I hear Anika and Nymeria howling and barking in the distance.
The deadling abruptly turns toward me, and I instantly freeze in place. What should I do? I can’t run.
Nova bursts through the trees, her white coat shimmering like diamonds despite the dirt coating her. Rearing up, she bringsher hooves down on the deadling. My eyes widen in horror as it skilfully dodges the kick, swiftly climbing up her back and sinking its claws into her sides.
A scream rips from my throat and my heart beats wildly in my chest. “Nova!” Anger and devastation plummet me. I run forward, but Tristan is there, his arm wrapping around my waist and spinning me away.
“We need to run!” he shouts.
I desperately fought against his tight grasp. “Nova!”
In an instant, the deadling's focus snaps to me, and it relinquishes its grip on Nova. Launching from her back, it runs toward us with lightning speed. Tristan curses and snatches my dagger from my grasp. He meets the deadling head on, but my eyes won’t leave Nova. Without hesitation, I sprint toward her as she stumbles. She carefully eases herself down to the ground as I come to a stop beside her. My vision blurs and my nose stings as tears stream down my cheeks.
“Oh, Nova!” I cry, looking at her wounds.
I can’t tell how deep they are, but she’s bleeding so much. My hand instinctively moves to cover the puncture marks, and a sob escapes my lips, aware that there are additional wounds on her other side. Resting my head on her warm body, my tears dampening her soft coat, I feel the tell-tale tingle of magic moving through my body, and open my eyes to watch as, under my hands, appears a patch made of leaves and flower petals. Confusion floods my mind as I blink rapidly.
How did I patch up the wound? Can I do it on the other side? Jumping to my feet, I race around her. The sound of Tristan and the deadling fighting fills the air as I quickly lay my hands overthe wound and close my eyes, trying to concentrate. My body warms again, and I sigh in relief, praying this will help her.
My eyes flutter open, and I find myself staring into the terrifying, milky white orbs of the deadling. A scream escapes my throat, echoing in the air as I frantically scramble away, my heart pounding in my chest.
Without warning, an obscured dark figure materializes before me, forcefully flinging the deadling through the air then igniting in a fiery blaze. It moves faster than I can track, colliding with the deadling. Its deafening screams reverberate through the air, assaulting my ears. I instinctively drop to a crouched position, covering my ears, seeking refuge from the piercing sound.
Suddenly, a profound silence descends upon us. My heart races, drowning out any other noise as it thumps relentlessly in my chest, accompanied by a rushing sensation in my ears. Slowly, I release my hands from my ears and rise to my feet. Standing just a few yards ahead of me is Maxon, his chest heaving. His eyes, like smoldering embers, cast a fiery glow that seems to set the air ablaze as ash dances around him, floating on the wind.
We both stand here panting. All we can do is stare at each other. Everything around us fades away as we close the distance between us. Maxon’s hands cup my face as his mesmerizing eyes flicker over every inch of my face.
“I’m going to kill every single one of them again!” Maxon snarls, his whole body vibrating in anger.
Reaching up, I grip his wrists, the rapid flutter of his pulse beats under my fingertips.
“I’m okay.”
His nostrils flare and his pupils dilate. “You’re injured.”
“I’m fine,” I attempt to reassure him.
His head dips, and a rush of anticipation fills the air as our lips meet in a desperate kiss. The sound of my heart thumping echoes against my chest, and a wave of exhilaration washes over me, causing my stomach to swoop. Maxon lifts me up, my legs wrapping around his waist, providing a sense of security and connection. The kiss is consuming. It’s as if I am his entire world.
Breaking the kiss, he traces a path with his lips along my jaw, sending shivers down my spine.
The gentle pressure of his fingers tangling in my hair at the back of my head has me releasing a deep breath. Bringing my face to his neck, he buries his face in mine, holding me securely against him. We stay like this for a long moment, arms wrapped firmly around each other. The taste of his kiss lingers on my lips as I breathe him in.
The sound of groaning reaches my ears, and I gasp. Drawing back, I push for Maxon to release me and drop my legs. Reluctantly, he lets go of me, and I spin around, searching for Tristan's familiar face. I spot him trying to prop himself up against a nearby tree. I make it all of two steps before my foot gets tangled in the fabric of my dress. With a frustrated growl, I grip my dress, feeling the fabric bunch in my fists as I sprint toward him.
Chapter thirty-two
