Page 29 of Heatbound Hearts

"Zyx!" Bronwyn's voice cuts through the haze of pain, laced with shock and concern.

I grit my teeth, forcing myself to focus despite the burning in my wing. The bandit stumbles back, clearly not expecting such fierce resistance. I use his moment of hesitation to my advantage, lashing out with my uninjured wing to knock him off balance.

Warm blood trickles down my injured wing, each movement sending fresh waves of pain through me. But I stand my ground, keeping Bronwyn safely behind me.

"Stay back," I growl, both to the bandit and to Bronwyn. I won't let her put herself in danger, not when I can protect her.

The bandit recovers, raising his blade for another strike. I brace myself, ready to take another hit if it means keeping Bronwyn safe. But before he can attack again, a blast of shadow magic from Kairos sends him flying backward.

I turn to check on Bronwyn, my injured wing drooping slightly. Her eyes are wide with concern, fixed on the bloody gash across my wing.

"Zyx, your wing—" she starts, reaching out towards me.

"I'm fine," I assure her, though the pain is becoming harder to ignore. "Are you hurt?"

She shakes her head, and relief floods through me. I'd take a hundred slashes if it meant keeping her safe.

As the last of the bandits disappear into the shadows of the forest, I let out a shaky breath. The adrenaline begins to fade, and the pain in my wing comes rushing back with a vengeance. I stumble slightly, my good wing flaring out to keep me balanced.

Suddenly, Bronwyn's at my side, her warm hands steadying me. Her touch sends a jolt through my body that has nothing to do with the pain.

"Zyx," she breathes, her voice thick with emotion. "Your wing..."

I follow her gaze to the gash across my wing membrane. It looks worse than it feels, blood matting the delicate skin. I try to flex it and can't hold back a wince.

"It's not as bad as it looks," I lie, attempting a reassuring smile.

Bronwyn's not buying it. Her green eyes, usually so full of wonder at this new world, are now clouded with guilt and worry. She reaches out, her fingers hovering just above the wound.

"You got hurt because of me," she whispers, her voice cracking.

I catch her hand in mine, ignoring the way my heart races at the contact. "No," I say firmly. "I got hurt protecting you. And I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

Our eyes lock, and suddenly the forest around us fades away. There's just Bronwyn, her hand in mine, her eyes searching my face. I see gratitude there, yes, but something else too. Something that makes my breath catch in my throat.

She steps closer, close enough that I can feel the warmth radiating from her body. Her free hand comes up to cup my cheek, and I lean into her touch without thinking.

"Thank you," she murmurs.

The air between us feels charged, electric. I'm hyper-aware of every point of contact between us - her hand in mine, her palm against my cheek, the way her body seems to gravitate towards me. My wing aches, but I barely notice it anymore. All I can focus on is Bronwyn, the way her eyes flick down to my lips and back up.

16

BRONWYN

He saved me.

It's the only thing I can think, over and over. He saved me.

The air between us seems to hum and everything in me is screaming to kiss. To hold him. To show him that I care if he's hurt, that I don't want to see him suffer because of me.

But my instincts kick in, and I know we have to stop the bleeding.

"Let me see," I say, my voice steadier than I feel.

Zyx grimaces but doesn't protest as I gently examine his wing. My fingers hover just over the wound, assessing the damage. "It's deep, but clean," I mutter, more to myself than him.

I grab my pack, fishing out the herbs and bandages I've collected on our journey. The familiar motions of preparing a poultice calm my racing thoughts. I crush the leaves between my fingers, releasing their pungent aroma.

---