Page 23 of Twisted Fangs

His gaze holds mine, a silent conversation passing between us. There's a question in his eyes, one that I'm not yet ready to answer. How do I tell him that he's become more than just a mentor, more than a comrade in arms? How do I confess that his presence has become as vital to me as the air I breathe?

The memory of our night together surfaces unbidden, a bittersweet reminder of what we shared. His touch was both fierce and tender, a contradiction that mirrored the man himself. I remember the way he looked at me, as if I were the only person in his world, the only one that mattered. It was a look that I had never seen before, one that I never wanted to end.

But now, as I watch him battle the poison coursing through his veins, that memory feels like a double-edged sword. It's abeacon of light in the darkness of our situation, yet it also threatens to distract me from the reality of our fight.

I swallow hard, the words of affection lodged in my throat. What if speaking them aloud weakens us, gives the dark elves another advantage? What if it changes the dynamic between us, complicating our mission with emotions that have no place on the battlefield?

"I..." The confession dies on my lips, replaced by a promise that I hope I can keep. "I won't let them win, Valen. I won't let them take you from me," I say.

I offer him a small, reassuring smile, though inside, I'm a tempest of fear and determination.

"Rest now," I murmur. "I'll keep watch."

I retreat to the mouth of the cave, my eyes scanning the forest for any sign of movement. The night is quiet, but I know better than to trust the calm. The dark elves are out there, biding their time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

I take a deep breath,steeling myself for the battles to come. I've learned so much from Valen—how to fight, how to survive—but the most important lesson he's taught me is to never give up, to keep fighting for what I believe in, no matter the odds.

And as I stand there for a moment, I make a silent vow of my own. I will do whatever it takes to save Valen, to ensure that our fight against the dark elves doesn't end here, in the shadows of a forgotten cave.

I soon return back to Valen’s side and watch over him. The steady rise and fall of his chest is a reminder that he's still with me, still fighting. And in the silence of the cave, with only the crackling of the fire for company, I allow myself to acknowledge the truth that's been simmering beneath the surface of my consciousness.

I love him.

17

VALEN

Iawake with a start. The sound of approaching footsteps outside slices through the oppressive silence within the cave. My instincts roar to life, centuries of battle experience screaming at me to move. But as I try to push myself up, a searing agony grips me. My muscles seize, rooting me to the cold, hard ground. Every heartbeat sends fresh waves of pain radiating from the wound in my side.

Through the haze of agony, I catch Rhea's scent—a mixture of forest earth and sweat. She's been keeping watch over me all night. Dark circles rim her eyes, and her clothes are stained with my blood. She notices my movement and leans in closer.

"You're awake," she whispers, relief evident in her voice. Her hazel eyes meet mine.

"You saved my life," I tell her, my voice filled with gratitude.

"You've saved mine countless times," she replies. “It’s the least I could do.” She tries to look away, but I cup her chin, forcing her gaze back to mine.

Our gazes lock, and for a moment, the world outside ceases to exist. It's just her and me, bound by an unspoken and undeniable connection.

She leans into my touch, closing her eyes for the briefest of moments.

The tranquility is shattered by the unmistakable sound of something snapping outside the cave. Rhea's eyelids fly open. Her eyes now wide with fear. She moves to stand, but I grasp her wrist, shaking my head.

"Stay down," I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper.

"No, we need to move now," Rhea whispers, her hands trembling as she helps me to my feet. The pain is a white-hot poker in my side, but I grit my teeth, pushing through it. We stumble toward the cave's exit, the darkness outside pressing against the mouth of our temporary sanctuary like a living thing.

The moment we step outside, I know something is wrong. The forest is eerily silent, the usual cacophony of nocturnal creatures conspicuously absent. Rhea stiffens beside me, her eyes scanning the treeline. I can sense them—dark elves. Their presence is a foul taste in the back of my throat.

They've been waiting for us all night long, hidden in the shadows. I curse under my breath, a low, guttural sound that echoes through the stillness. We're surrounded, a semi-circle of bow-wielding enemies standing between us and freedom.

Rhea and I stand there frozen, the gravity of the situation pressing down on us like the weight of the world. Her hand finds mine, her grip firm despite the fear I know she must be feeling.

"Stay close," I murmur, my voice barely audible.

The alpha in me roars to the surface, a primal need to protect her at all costs. I position myself between Rhea and the dark elves, my body a shield for her fragile human form. My wound pulses with each heartbeat, but I ignore it, focusing instead on the faces of our enemies.

The leader of the dark elf contingent steps forward, a smug smile playing on his lips. "Valen," he calls out, his tone mocking. "You are far from your former glory, it seems."

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