Aurelia
I awoke to the rustle of leaves and branches. Footsteps. I heard the low registering growl a minute later and my eyes snapped open. I was on my feet and holding my body in preparation to fight. The growls surrounded me then. Ever moving closer and closer. In haste, I searched the forest floor for the most decent weapon-like object I could use to my defense. The darkness was so muddled in the thickness of the trees overhanging I could barely see my hands in front of my own body as I leaned down closer to the ground to forage for anything to help me evade the predators before me.
My hand collided with something sharp and my eyes stung. A moment later I felt the warmth and wetness trickle down my fingers, and I knew I was bleeding. I calmed my senses and willed myself to concentrate. Slowing my movements to not draw attention to myself. Something tugged at my senses and a gentle caress of power ran down my spine. I relaxed at the touch, the scent that followed washed over me like a wave of calm. Though my mind protested my body answered. He was here, he had found me.
One moment I was in the darkness, unable to find my way. The next my eyes shifted. It was as if someone had poured the light of every star into the clearing. A tug at my waist told me who was responsible for the new-found ability. Blinding blue and white light filled the clearing, illuminating every detail. I narrowed my eyes to slits and willed my eyes to adjust. Then I saw them. Six shadow wraiths neared the edge of the clearing now. The tendrils of smoke and shadow leaking from their ancient skin swirled in violent haze. The night wind whirled the foul stench of rot and infection my way and my stomach churned. Their teeth chattered as they shared glances between one another. Their mute tongues clicked in abhorrent rhythms against their dagger-like teeth. A slow and steady chorus of cackles sounded from them, and my skin crawled.
They inched closer readying to pounce. My mind cleared, and I sucked in a deep breath. In a flash, I was hurling myself toward them. Weapon or not, I wasn't going down without a fight. My fist met flesh and bone and I heard a crack. A screech of pain had me stepping back before I winnowed behind the others. I danced around them fluidly, their mouths coming so dangerously close to my flesh, and I twisted to evade their strikes and lunges. Winnowing every few strikes and narrowly escaping their jaws and talons. A rustling in the brush behind me had me spinning to investigate the source when a sharp pain radiated through the sensitive skin at the base of my wings. I cried out in agony.
I felt the teeth of the wraith dig deeper into my skin as I shook its mouth off my skin before sending a spear of unrelenting power down through my siphons straight to its gut. The purple light filled the clearing illuminating the wraiths in an eerie light. I could feel the power dwindling from my siphons. The bite alone had weakened me. Venom. The thought ravaged my mind, and the trees before me began spinning. The stars above became a blur of lines, and I shook my head and blinked heavily. I tried to shake off the effects of the wraith's venom but to no avail. I stepped forward and my stance faltered. Their cackles echoed through the clearing and my heart sank. This can't be it…this can't be the end! I thought and blinked heavily again.
My sight began to falter again under the damper the venom had released on my power. My legs became weak, and my body grew tired. Sleep. I wanted to sleep. I frowned and fought against the effects of the venom. I willed my body to stand firm and began to move toward the wraiths.
A deep bellowing roar sounded through the clearing, and I snapped my attention to the direction of the sound. A large beast of lupine build stood before me. It's elk like horns reached unending for the sky, and its golden fur flowed in the soft breeze. Its massive body stood taut in the flowing breeze around it, and when our eyes met I knew who that beast was. It was the eyes that had sent a wave of relief over me. It's eyes that had me moving toward it, not cowering from it. Those emerald, gold-flecked eyes. The eyes I couldn't remove from my memory. My heart squeezed, and a soft smile found my lips. Tamlin scanned me for signs of injury and faltered as they found my face. No doubt, pale and glistening with sweat. I could feel the fever falling over me. He closed his eyes and a rushing wind of spring grass and soft wildflowers overcame my senses.
How he had done it, I did not know. In an instant, I felt my strength return to me and I looked up to meet his eyes. He turned slightly revealing the Illyrian blades strapped to his back. I rushed to him grabbing the double ended fighting blade. Our eyes met once more and a smile played in his eyes. In unison, we struck. His blows countered mine in a swift dance. In harmony, we moved skillfully bringing about blow after blow until one by one the wraiths fell to nothing more than ribbons. Rhys, Cassian, and Azriel had arrived just as Tamlin and I shredded the last of them, together. We stood in the clearing for another minute, no words between us. Just the sound of our relentless panting.
His eyes met mine, and he lowered his stare to the wound at my shoulder. The beast disappeared in the flash of a blinding golden light, and Tamlin in all his strength and glory stood before me. His brows creased as he searched every inch of my body for signs of any additional wounds I had received. The adrenaline began to slip as I looked away from him and said, "I'm fine." My words were barely a whisper, and a shudder ran through me as I turned to meet my brothers at the edge of the clearing.
A sharp pain seared through the flesh of my back and I cried out in agony. Two strong hands caught my body before it could falter and held me close. The warmth of them was enough to lull me into sleep. Sleep…Yes, sleep. The hands slipped along my back, careful not to touch the ever-sensitive wound. The other hand slipped under my knees and in one soft movement, I was in his arms. My head fell against Tamlin's neck and I heard his voice in my ear, a soft plea as he said, "Don't leave me, not yet, please don't leave me, Aurelia" His whispers sent a tingle over my skin. Every inch of me relaxed in his touch, and my mind whirled. The night sky began to spin again, and I began to shiver. I was so cold. I couldn't even feel the warmth of his body against mine, "I'm…c. ." I muttered. A near breathless response. Tamlin looked down at me and I noticed the silver lining his eyes. I raised a weak hand to his face and cupped his cheek in my palm. He closed his eyes leaning into my touch. A soft smile touched my lips, then darkness found me as my body slipped out of consciousness.
Tamlin
I stood in the dining room of the House of Wind. The room had become too still, too quiet since the chaotic return from the forest. I had paced the space surrounding the open balcony doors over a hundred times. I fidgeted with my bandolier of knives and finally unlatched them before throwing them across the room with a loud thud. I stopped pacing and leaned back against the wall slowly sliding down it until I sat with my head in my hands. My mind swirled with unending concern and frustration. It had been hours since we had returned from the forest. Blood still coated my tunic. I rubbed my face, and frowned into my open palms, dried blood coated them as well and a lump surfaced in my throat. Mother, please hold her. Please don't take her from me. I sent up my silent prayer and lowered my head. Footsteps sounded on the far side of the room, and I shot upward, eager to receive any news on her condition. A pair of hazel eyes in the shadows of the room found mine, and I tensed under his stare. I frowned and moved closer to the table, a safe distance from him.
"Any news on her condition?" I spoke softly. Willing my voice to be calm instead of the overall panic in my mind. The commander softly sighed and stepped forward. "She's alive. The venom sank deep. It took…extraordinary methods of healing to bring her back from it." He frowned and shook his head as if to shake away the images of his protégé in the condition she was. "She is alive, and well. The healer demanded she rest, but Auri…" He paused as if reconsidering his next words, "She asked to see you." I paused and weighed the caution in his voice. "And…am I permitted to visit her?"
Cassian looked to the floor and answered with a soft growl to his voice, "I am not her keeper and she may do what she wishes." I stepped around the table until I was mere feet away from him, "Then please, bring me to her." My voice cracked as I pleaded with him to let me see her. His eyes snapped to mine at the longing in my voice. They softened slightly and he frowned, "Thank you, for…saving her life. I am eternally grateful." He did not bow but lowered his chin in a sign of respect. I nodded in response, and shook my head, "I would go to the ends of the earth to keep her from harm." Silence fell over us, and Cassian motioned for me to follow him.
I fell into step behind him down the alabaster hall to the living quarters. We walked in brisk silence. The only sound, our footsteps reverberating off the polished stone floors. We stopped before a beautifully ornate hand-carved door. The details displayed flowers of jasmine and peony intertwining in such intricate detail. I marveled at the work before me as Cassian's voice interrupted my thoughts. "She carved this one herself." He smiled slightly and continued, "Auri could always find the beauty in anything." He nodded toward the door and stepped aside. "She is expecting you, but don't try anything stupid. I'll be right here the whole time." His eyes narrowed softly, an older brother protecting his fragile sister. Both of us knew she needed no protection. What had happened in the forest had been a rarity, but Cassian's love for her was some-what comforting. I nodded softly in thanks, and opened the door.