The Hadeon takes off into the forest and I know he senses it too. Max is in danger and the fear—the rage, at not being there to help, spurs me on. Grabbing hold of her magic, the chaotic pulse of life that dwarfs everything else, I shove all my strength into the chains that keeps my conscienceat bay.
The beast recoils, pawing at my head as I force my way in. It’s brutal and I’m drained before I shove him into the cage in my mind. It won’t keep him for long; his hold is too strong. I wish my body would return to normal, but his control is too tight, the curse so mingled I can’t escape. His form and mind have meshed together so much, that only an act of the Gods will separate us.
He growls in my head as I roll my shoulders, my body finally under my control. Once he realizes his cage is broken, he’ll fight.
I have to be quick, then.
Tracking the Hadeon, I launch myself through the forest, breaking limbs and roots with my stomps. Nails rake against the bark and I crash through bushes without a care as I hurry.
Now isn’t the time for stealth. My mate is unprotected and the wolves will eat her alive.
When I enter the clearing, it’s absolute chaos.
The wolves, snarling animals of matted grey fur and drooling black snouts, are as big as our horses. Circling in packs, they’re work together to take down my soldiers. The fact my highly trained, competent Fae guards who fought beasts in the haunted forests cannot kill them, speaks to how crafty these creatures are.
I swipe at one wolf as it dives for me. My nails cut into its flesh, fresh blood spraying into the fire. It sizzles and burns, smoke billowing up that drives the pack back for a moment. Then, they come again, a never-ending wave of destruction. I don’t stop to look, turning as two more wolves charge me.
Where are they coming from?This is unlike them. They seem incensed, infected with the madness with bloodlust.
One goes for my thigh, another lurching toward my neck. Snapping jaws with rows of sharp teeth go for every vulnerable part of my body, looking for an anchor to take me down. Without my armor, I’m only a bigger target. The one on my chest is caught midair, hand shooting out before it can blink, but the other lands a bite onto my leg.
Snarling, I throw the animal to the side and rip the lower one from my body. Grabbing it’s jaw, my claw slices into its vulnerable tongue, severing it cleanly.
Blood gushes from the wound and the wolf yelps. But it keeps attacking, possessed to finish the job.
Using my strength and the limited control of my magic—thankfully the beast hasn’t learned how to tap into it—I pull the jaw wide, ripping it from the hinges.
I’m covered in gore and blood. Thick pieces of fur are sticking to my body. But there’s no time to think—another wolf charges me.
Incessant things.They’ve never this persistent. My shadow magic wraps around its neck and I pull tight, killing it before it lets out a howl. The beast in my head growls, and I hold my temples, praying to whatever God that will listen to keep him at bay for a while longer.
They don’t smile on me today. My strength dwindles as he charges and the shields buckles. I can feel it. The curse, the manifested beast inside my soul, is trying to take back control.
From across the site, I locate Max, fingers red and bent, controlling the animals as they come at her. Reid stands at her back, digging his daggers into their hearts with sure hands.
Pride shines in my chest. Godsdammit, I’m glad I forced him to learn combat training.
The curse snarls inside my soul. It thinks it owns me, my body, but he cannot have it. Not whilemy wifeneeds me.
Taking a few steps forward, I’m surrounded by more wolves. It’s as if they’re being controlled by other forces, determined to keep us apart. Stupid, really. Waving my hand, my shadows clear them out—some are crushed under the weight, while others are thrown into the trees. Branches shake and the leaves fall, but I don’t stop to check.
All I see is Max. And I read her face before she acts.
A few guards are herded from the site, into the thickest brush and she bites her lip. Indecision flashes through her big sapphire eyes, and then her brow tilts—proud and determined.
Infuriating woman.I know what she’s going to do next.
She darts between the trunks and I growl, snarling into the air like a man possessed. I’m going to wring her neck if we survive this.
Of course, she’s always the first to help—the first to throw herself into a fight to save someone else. She never thinks of the consequences. Never stops to protect herself. When this ends and I’m whole, I’ll need to remind her of her duty. As queen, she needs to think through her actions, instead of jumping into something that could kill her.
Who am I fooling?She won’t listen, and if I’m honest, I love that about her. Her compassion, her selflessness, it reminds me to use on my own. To be a better Fae for her.
Roots break under my thrashing, as I follow her scent. Thick sultry flowers overpower the simple citrus scents of the Woodland territory. In the distance, her red pulse jumps with every beat of her heart. She calls to me—a light in the darkest of nights, and gladly, I let her pull me.
When I finally reach her, the guards are almost all dead, the wolves attacking them in a frenzy. It’s a bloodbath. Teeth gnash, everything is soaked, and it takes every ounce of willpower I have to keep the beast at bay. The carnage thrills him as he pulls on the cage.
The walls start to fall.
