And for the first time in decades, I feel that part of me that often lies dormant stirring to life at the sensation of this woman in my arms.
She agreed to be my consort.
Forever.
Tonight will be the first of countless nights together. Tomorrow, the first of endless days where I won’t wake to crushing solitude. Finally, there will be someone to?—
Heat pools low in my belly as I harden.
I swoop lower, finally having reached our destination and praising whatever force finally showed me mercy.
Her distressed sounds start again. We’re moving fast now that home is in sight, my consort’s warm, precious form pressed directly against my aroused body.
I want to worship her properly, I think. Show her what it means to be cherished.
We speed toward the snow-covered ground below. Dawn will break soon; I can sense it approaching on the wind after our long flight.
I aim for the pristine white expanse that sparkles in the pre-dawn light.
My consort’s cries escalate to a fever pitch. My hearing is far more acute than any mortal’s, but I’m too focused on executing a perfect landing to reassure her just yet. I pull her closer against me, hoping the secure embrace will comfort her.
Apparently not, or perhaps my touch overwhelms her, because her sounds grow even more distressed.
I adjust my hold as we approach the ground, ensuring she’s completely protected.
After a few quick hops to absorb our momentum, we’re safely earthbound.
Her crying doesn’t cease.
I rumble gently near her ear. “We’ve landed safely, little one. You’re perfectly fine.”
“Let go of me!” she demands. “Put me down!”
I can’t help but be charmed by her spirit, even as I carefully lower her to the soft snow.
She immediately scrambles away from me on unsteady legs. “My crutches,” she says, looking around frantically. “Where are my crutches?”
“You no longer require them.”
Behind us, the sun crests the horizon in a blaze of gold.
And in those first precious rays of light, my consort finally looks down at her own body instead of up at my monstrous face.
I recognize the hope blooming in her eyes. I’ve lived with hope and its crushing disappointment long enough. I watch understanding dawn, then confusion that clouds her features.
Only then do her eyes snap to mine, blazing with accusation. “You didn’t heal me!”
She astounds me. Even though she’s now seeing my full monster’s visage clearly in the morning light—though perhaps I’m still partially shadowed with the sun behind me—she doesn’t cower in terror.
Pure fury and righteous indignation radiate from her small frame.
She struggles to her feet and marches right up to point her delicate finger at my face, fearless despite the dramatic size difference between us. “You said you’d heal me! We made a deal.”
I smile down at this magnificent little spitfire, and she only retreats slightly at the sight of my sharp teeth.
Fascinating. Is it courage or foolishness driving her now? Most creatures possess enough survival instinct to recognize a predator, but she continues to surprise me at every turn.
“And yet,” I murmur, voice gentle despite my fearsome appearance, “you are standing strong on your own legs. Tell me, where is your constant pain?”
