He ignores my question, growling low in his throat. “You are lying. Where did you find her?”
Indignation burns through me. “I am not lying! I was as surprised as you are to find compatible females. Especially my linaya. I found her only yesterday, wandering alone in the desert.”
“Lies!” he grinds out as he swoops around me to get a better look at my mate.
I swipe at him again and he barely avoids my talons.
A feral cry of fear rips from Lilliana’s throat as he twists back and attacks me. We lock onto one another, tumbling through the air and toward the ground, claws and fangs rending flesh and spilling blood as neither of us holds back.
Raidyn was once my friend. We used to be as close as brothers. But as he snaps his jaw and tears into the supporting joint of my wing, I am painfully reminded that those days are long gone.
Folding my wings against my back, I dive. His teeth tear from my wing and I roar as blinding pain rips through me.
Blood drips from our wounds onto the crimson sand below as we circle one another, spiraling through the sky in a blur of fury. His light gray scales are stained almost completely black with the blood seeping from his numerous wounds.
He slashes out at me, but I manage to dodge the blow. We are both tired and panting heavily, but I cannot allow him to take my mate. Using the last of my strength, I strike him, raking my claws across his face.
My move is almost dishonorable, given his already disfiguring scar there, but I’m desperate to repel him.
He retreats, tumbling toward the ground for a moment before his wings snap open. With several tears in the sails, he struggles to fly. His eyes are wide as they meet mine and he lifts a hand to his face, pulling it back to regard the blood that stains his scales.
My shoulders sag in relief. I didn’t want to scar him any further. It is only a flesh wound, easily repaired and should leave no scarring once he reaches a Healer, but he does not know that. His eyes burn with rage as they meet mine.
“This is not over!” he yells. “I will return with more of my people!”
I open my mouth to speak but he races away, spinning around once to growl at me before heading in the direction of his kingdom.
I remember the last time I visited the verdant floating islands of the Wind Clan’s territory as a child. They welcomed me as one of their own, just as Raidyn was once received in our lands. It feels like an eternity ago. My hearts are heavy like they always are when I think of those days, as I watch his form retreat into the distance.
Satisfied that he is no longer a threat, I turn back to my mate. With difficulty, I manage to land on the rocky ledge beside her. Every muscle in my body aches and throbs. Blood stains my normally crimson scales black in several places, though I know my injuries probably appear worse than I feel.
Tears flow down Lilliana’s cheeks as she runs her hands over my body, assessing my numerous injuries.
“You’re hurt.”
Her voice quavers as she spreads her arms wide over my body, leaning against my side as if she could hug my massive form. “Tell me what to do. How do I help you? What do you need? Caza root?”
I lift my weary gaze to hers. “I need to place you on the ground, so you aren’t trapped up here while I heal.” I’ve been heavily injured before and not felt the consequences until much later. I worry that is the case now. I feel fine, but do not trust that the rush of battle isn’t still running through my veins, giving me the illusion of strength. If I were to collapse or fall unconscious, Lilliana could be stuck here with no way to get down. At least on the ground, she’d have the chance to survive if I do not.
She gasps. “No! I won’t leave you!”
I’m too tired to argue but another idea presents itself. I lift her into my hand, careful of my large talons, and head back to the cave we left earlier. I believe I can make it there. At least she would have water and some food to eat while I recover from my injuries.
It takes everything inside me to remain airborne all the way back to our cavern in the cliff wall. My determination to fly my mate to safety lends strength to each flap of my wings.
Luckily, the cave is only a short distance away. I will need to heal before we can travel any farther. I’m too exhausted to reach Valoria—The Fire Clan’s Capital City and my home.
The cliff face in the distance is a welcome sight.
My mate gently strokes my palm. “We’re almost there.”
Through the touch connection, I sense her relief. Fear still lingers in the back of her mind, but she worries for my health, not her safety.
I cannot help but feel pleased with this discovery.
When we reach the cavern, my entire form shudders as I struggle to set us down on the ledge carefully. The several tears in my sails make hovering difficult, but I somehow manage.
As soon as my feet touch down, I carefully set Lilliana on the ground then transform into my two-legged form. Pain and exhaustion hit me like a giant wave. I only manage a few steps before I collapse just inside the entrance.
Lilliana wraps her arms tightly around me and pulls my head into her lap as tears stream down her face.
“Oh, Varus.” Her voice quavers. “Tell me how to help you. Please, don’t die on me. Tell me what to do.”
I’m surprised by not only her tears but by the several soft presses of her lips to my cheek, brow, and nose. This
