Page 66 of Demonic Affliction

Unfortunately, it can’t last forever.

Vhalthor’s grating voice bellows through the cavern, reminding us all of our impending doom. “Time to rise, you lazy bags of bones! We need to get a move on!”

I crack open my eyes to find Vhalthor standing at the entrance to our cave, his lips pressed together in a tight line.

“Glad to see you’re feeling better,” I grumble. “What would we do without your charming self to keep us in line?”

Vhalthor clearly doesn’t understand sarcasm. “They did not make me king for no reason. You are wise to recognize my superiority.”

I roll my eyes. I’m about to snap back, but Dravik shoots me a look, and the words die in my throat.

“We will get our mate ready and meet out in the main cavern,” Dravik says.

This appeases the demon king, and Vhalthor nods, satisfied. He turns on his heel and moves back into the main cavern to be with his men. Just as well. I need to check on my mate.

By the time I get to Willow, Rhune has already claimed her. He's crouched in front of her, running his hands over every inch of her body, checking for lingering aches.

“I’m fine, Rhune.” She tries to gently swat him away, but he’s not having it.

“The healing pools can only do so much.”

“I didn’t even get hurt!”

“Your boots wounded you! You could be bleeding internally!”

“Again, I would like to remind you of the healing pools,” she grumbles.

I crouch down beside them, catching Willow's eye. “How do you feel?”

She gives me a deadpan stare. “Bleeding internally, apparently.”

I let out a soft chuckle, patting Rhune on the top of the head. “Relax, Rhune. You’re too paranoid. She is healthy and whole.”

“We do not know that for certain.”

I reach around and flick him on the nose. “Hey!”

“Pull yourself together. We have to get going,” I say. “Vhalthor’s on the warpath.”

Rhune lets out a pitiful whine, pulling Willow close. “But…”

“I’m fine, Rhune. I promise.” She curls her palm around his jaw. “Promise.”

She places a soft kiss on his cheek, and he shudders. “Okay,” he breathes. “But you will allow me to carry you for the first stretch of our journey.”

“Oh noo.” Willow’s voice drips with sarcasm, though a teasing smile is on her face. “How terrible.”

Rhune keeps his promise, carrying Willow for the first stretch with an arm hooked under her knees, her head tucked against his shoulder. Her eyes keep drifting shut, and I know she needed this more than she'd ever admit out loud.

She is not fragile, not in the least. But she is still a human, and her body has its limits. There is no shame in that. I am just proud of how long she has held on, proud that my mate is so very strong.

While Rhune walks ahead with Willow, I hang back a few paces, matching Dravik's slower stride. For a while, we don’t say anything. But I know we’re looking at the same thing, with similar worries niggling at the back of our minds.

Cin.

He walks along the far edge of the passage, close enough to the wall that his shoulder scrapes it every few steps, but he doesn't seem to notice. Truthfully, it doesn’t seem like he notices anything.

His face is a blank mask, fixed straight ahead into the darkness. His movements are stuttered and robotic, as if he’s locked in a trance, and his body reacts on instinct.