Furious, he rose in one graceful roll and angled his sword with the intent to behead whatever human dared to disturb him.
That was his thought until his gaze locked onto two celestial blue eyes that were filled with fright. The woman’s white-blonde hair was pulled back into a long, thick braid, yet defiant strands had come free to curl and tease her pale skin. Her nose was a bit large for her pixie-like face, but it didn’t detract from her beauty in the slightest. In fact, that small flaw somehow made her even more beautiful.
And even though she was obviously terrified of him, she bit her lip and approached him very slowly.
Cautiously.
“Are you injured?” In stark contrast to her fragile appearance, her voice was rather deep and sultry.
Seductive.
Stunned that she wasn’t screaming or running away, Malphas scowled at her while he debated if he should kill… or kiss her.
“Can you understand me?”
He bared his fangs as she came closer, then hissed, hoping to send her fleeing.
Instead, she froze instantly. “I mean you no harm, demon. I’m a healer.” She gestured at his wound. “I can help you, if you let me.”
Help him? Was she insane? She was human… they were enemies in this war. She had to know that. His kind had slaughtered hers by the thousands.
Without fail. Without prejudice.
Without hesitation.
And with a glee that was legendary.
Still, she stood there with her arms held out at her sides. No guile. No deception that he could sense. She seemed as sincere as any creature he’d ever known. Not that he’d known all that many who were sincere. The majority of his acquaintances were backbiting bastards who would betray you faster than a heart could beat.
She took a hesitant step forward. “Please… let me help. If anyone else finds you here, they’ll call the others to slay you.”
Yes, they would. And he’d kill a lot more of them. They might end him, but they’d pay a steep price for his life.
Malphas narrowed his gaze on her. “Why aren’t you calling them to help you?”
“You’ve done me no harm. You’re not threatening me. I don’t believe in holding someone accountable for the deeds of others. Only in what he, himself, has done.”
And he, himself, had slaughtered hundreds of her ilk. What would she say if she knew the truth?
Swallowing hard, she moved forward again until she reached the tip of his outstretched sword that was still coated in the red blood of his vanquished enemies.
Of the Sephirii warriors who protected the pathetic human horde he hated.
Only when she saw that blood did she hesitate.
He should hate her for her humanity. But she was such a delicate creature of beauty.
What harm could she cause him?
So Malphas lowered the tip of his blade to the ground, and let the sword fall from his hand. He tucked his black wings down by his sides, then hissed as that action caused more pain to slice through his abdomen.
It was so severe that it drove him to his knees and almost transformed him. Gasping, he tried to rise, but it was useless.
The woman knelt by his side. With the tenderest expression anyone had ever given him, she laid a gentle hand on his cheek. It was the first time in his life anyone had given him such a touch.
One intended to soothe, not hurt.
For a full minute, he couldn’t breathe as unknown feelings went through him. More than that, her skin smelled of rose water and honey. A delectable scent that awoke a fierce hunger in his soul.
