'I know, honey. I know.' She knew she could hold the girl and fly straight to the top of the well, but without her cloak, she would burn the moment they hit the surface. Becca's teeth began to chatter and Eve held her closer. If no one tried to save them soon, she would have to use her flight to save Becca. The cold was too much for a six year old.
Her heart thudded, knowing Katya would be alone if something should happen to Eve. She pushed her morbid thoughts away and looked up. She couldn't think about that now.
'Hello? Hellooooo! Can anyone hear me! The child is safe!' she called loudly.
* * * *
'Your Highness! There is a big commotion outside. The blacksmith's daughter, Becca, has fallen into the well and some villagers say they saw your guest run like the wind and dove in the well after her. We don't know if either of them is alive.'
'What?' he roared.
He rose and vaulted out of the Great Hall before Nolan finished speaking. Becca was the sweet child who kept asking him if she could sit on his throne. His heart thudded with dread. As soon as he stepped outside, another fear rose in his chest. The sun was at full peak and Eve had told him she'd burn to a crisp if she were exposed to it. Hysteria and panic was all around the courtyard as he ran towards the crowd near the well.
'She sprinted like the devil, I tell you! Covered in a dark cape,' someone said. 'She dove in the well like a demon possessed.'
'
'She's staying at the castle. She's a vampire.'
'Katya's mother.'
'Dear God, I hoped she saved our little Becca.'
The comments were running rampant around him as he reached the well and glanced at her cloak snagged on the edge.
'Hello? Hellooooo. Can anyone hear me! The child is safe!'
'Quiet everyone!' he bellowed.
All hushed except for a spatter of quiet, intermittent sobbing.
'Eve, can you hear me?' he roared into the dark depths of the well.
Her cry was faint, 'Yes. Becca is fine!'
Thank God, he thought. 'Stay against the wall,' he roared. Ignoring Nolan who was about to toss a rope into the well, he tore his metal armour from his shoulders and dove inside. He heard screams behind him and Nolan yelling, 'Your Highness!'
He landed in the water and rose quickly to the surface. It was pitch black.
'We're over here,' she said quietly.
He waded towards the sound of her voice and felt around with his hand. He touched her cheek and growled softly in the darkness. 'Do not be alarmed, Eve. I am going to shift in my Lycan form.'
'I…I am not afraid,' she whispered.
Of course she wasn't, he thought. She was the bravest, most courageous woman he'd ever met. Clenching his jaw, he released his Lycan. He wondered if she could see him in the dark.
'Give me the child,' he said, his eerie Lycan voice echoing in the dark.
He felt Becca's little body up against his chest and gathered her gently in his arms. 'Put your arms around my neck, child. If you hold on tight and do not fall, I will let you sit on my throne.'
Becca screeched. 'Oh, yes. Yes!'
Drago heard Eve chuckle in the darkness and his entire, nine foot frame went completely still. Her laugh was soft and pleasant and made a warmth rise from his gut to his chest. 'I'll be back for you,' he told Eve.
'I'll be here. I'm not going anywhere, not at least until the sun sets,' she said.
He heard the smile in her voice and again his blood stirred. Without another word, he climbed the walls of the well, vaulting from side to side, until he reached the top. His villagers and guards cheered while he handed Becca to her father.
'Bring Becca to the Great Hall before dinner time,' he told her father.
'To sit on your throne?' squealed the little girl.
'Yes.'
Drago reached for Eve's cloak and pulled it from its confines. Without saying another word, he let himself drop back down into the well. He surfaced from the water and reached out with his taloned hands. He heard her inhale sharply. He growled softly, realising he was touching her breast. Withdrawing his hand, he pushed the cloak towards her.
'Here is your covering. Conceal yourself as best you can and I will carry you up.'
He heard her movements in the water as she put on her cloak. 'Okay. I'm covered.'
'Wrap your arms tightly around my neck. Do not be alarmed. I am not in my human form.'
He felt her arms go around his neck as she pressed herself close to him, her body stiffening for a split second. 'Dear God, how big are you?' she whispered with wonder.
