Anger overrides my fear, and I glare at the beast.If this is to be my end, then I will die fighting.Breathing heavily, I push through the pain and hold up my makeshift weapon. “Come on then,” I grind out hoarsely.
The Ogre’s mouth curves up in twisted amusement as he raises his club overhead.
Using the last of my strength, I thrust the sharp plank forward, jabbing the burning end into the creature’s stomach.
The Ogre roars as it stabs into his flesh, doubling forward in pain.
For a brief moment hope sparks within, but it’s quickly snuffed out as he swings his massive arm out, striking my side. The air explodes from my lungs and I crash to the ground. Searing pain tears through my ribs as I struggle to breathe.
Terror fills me as the Ogre’s dark gaze falls upon Ailyn.
“Ailyn, run!” I yell, but she’s backed into a corner, her wolf pup standing before her, his fur bristling as he emits a tiny growl.
Agony rips through my body as I drag myself across the dirt, desperate to save her. I wrap my arms around the little girl and pull her beneath me as the Ogre looms above us.
Ailyn cries against my chest as he raises his club overhead.
I cannot stand, much less fight. But I can use my body to shield hers… give her a chance to survive.
“Close your eyes, little one,” I whisper, holding her close as tears stream down my cheeks. “I have you.”
My entire body goes tense as I brace for the blow.
The Ogre makes a guttural noise, and the club falls from his hands, landing beside us with a heavy thud.
I look up. A thunderbolt of blue light slams into his side.
My heart stops when I see Auren, magic winding between his fingers as he sends another powerful bolt of energy toward the Ogre. It strikes his chest, sending him crashing into the dirt.
Panic wraps tight around my chest as the Ogre staggers to his feet, growling at Auren.
Lightning fast, my Dark Elf husband charges forward like a storm made flesh, his blade flashing in a deadly arc as he lunges, driving his sword deep into the Ogre’s throat.
The beast stumbles, dark blood streaming down his front before he collapses to the ground and goes still.
“Find a healer!” Auren cries out as he rushes toward me, dropping to his knees. His eyes are wide with panic as his gaze sweeps over the blood trailing down my arm, the claw marks on my side, and the way Ailyn still clings to me.
Dain and Lyrea come up behind him. My arms tremble as I unwrap them from around Ailyn. Dain pulls her toward him, checking her for injury, asking if she’s hurt. “I’m fine,Ada,” she says through hiccupping sobs. “Vivienne saved me.”
Auren’s hands tremble as he assesses my injuries with his magic. I cry out in agony when he moves them over the wounds on my right side. I blink several times struggling to remain conscious.
“The Fire Wolves,” Lyrea says, panic flashing across her features as she looks at the claw marks on my skin. “Their claws have venom. She needs the antidote. Now!”
“Vivienne.” Auren gathers me in his arms. “You need to stay awake, me’lira. Please.”
“I’m trying,” I barely manage as darkness begins to creep in around the edges of my vision.
He brushes the hair back from my face as he stares down at me, fear marring his handsome features. “Vivienne, please,” he grinds out. “Please, don’t close your eyes. You’re going to be fine, but you need to stay awake. The healer is coming.”
Cold spreads through my limbs, heavy and slow, and I realize I’m dying. It isn’t fair. A tear slips down my cheek. I wanted a life with him… a family. I don’t want to leave him.
With the last of my strength, I lift a trembling hand and touch Auren’s face. “I wish we’d had more time,” I whisper as I stare deep into his luminous blue eyes. “I love you, Auren.”
“I love you, Vivienne.” He drops his forehead to mine, devastation etched in his features as he blinks back tears. “And I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” he whispers as my eyes close, and I fall away into the dark and beckoning void.
CHAPTER 36
VIVIENNE
