Barre
When the door closes behind us, Fray and Soleil disappear. The pregnant human was reluctant to leave her friend's side. They have a connection I'll never quite understand. Eventually, she realized that we need privacy now.
The General is off to go find a translation chip for Elodie. It will be a relief for her to finally understand me. Just as I was ecstatic to hear her words clearly after all this time. It's a miracle. It's something I need to focus on right now.
I'm still bristling with anger. Not only at Locanas, but the Emperor for not allowing me to execute the rapist on the spot.
I command Slash to lay down by the door, still paranoid in this unfamiliar place. I carry Elodie through the roomy den and to the nest in the corner of the room. This place is so unlike my own den. Everything is sleek and expensive.
Now Elodie can get a full look at what she would be missing if she went back to my den with me.
It astonished me when she asked me if we could go back. It's all I can think of as I lay her down on the nest, the covers made of the finest silken materials the palace can offer.
I guess it just proves that she cares for me, to give all of this up to come be with me. Does that mean she wants to be my mate?
The thought is sweet poison, it wants to take me over, but I push it away. Now is not the time. I must comfort my Elodie, whatever she is to me, she's important.
As soon as I climb over her in the nest, she reaches her slim arms for me, her soft skiing sliding across my neck as she clings to my body. She's still shaking, and my jaw clenches as pain sprouts in my chest. I should've been there. I should go back and kill Locanas, no matter what the Emperor says.
"He will pay. I will make sure of it." I vow, laying down with Elodie as she clings to me, whimpering low when I let go of her for even a split second. It seems she's traumatized, all because of that bastard.
I don't care for his ridiculous excuses. Sure, they explain his insolence, but how could he not know he was hurting her? Humans are obviously small and powerless against us. If it was a female Rytarian he was trying to rape, he would be put in his place. But, my poor Elodie could not put up a fight. I clench my fists at the idea.
She was helpless against him. She likely fought for all she was worth, all her strength used just to be overpowered. The idea of such a feeling makes me sick. Her fear is not unwarranted.
I lean against the back of the wall, pulling her to me and tucking her into my arms, telling her that she's safe with my body language.
Elodie's trembling subsides, her tears dry and her breathing evens. She pulls back slightly, looking up at me with shining green eyes. I gulp. I want her to speak. I need more of her beautiful words.
"I love you."
And that's when my heart triples in speed. This magnificent creature loves me. Me. A beast. A Heathen. A monster. How am I worthy of the love of someone so pure?
"I would die for you. You mean more to me than... than anything I've ever loved." I murmur, fully aware that the words mean nothing until a tiny translation device buries into her ear. I brush my fingers across her cheek to try to convey my message as best I can.
She turns, staring up at me with glimmering green eyes.
"You... you love me too?" Elodie wonders out loud.
I nod slowly, smiling when her face flashes red. I adore when her odd human ways show. I remember the first time I saw that red fill her little face. It fascinated me.
Elodie grips me with as much strength as she has left in her trembling body when a knock reverberates through the room.
Salsh jumps up, a fierce growl on his lips.
"Come in." I say, and Fray's face appears, he glances at Slash who is still growling fiercely.
He's on edge, we all are.
"I have the translation chip." He holds up a sleek case to show me, Elodie nestles closer to me, averting her eyes as spasms wrack her delicate spine. "Should I bring it in?"
I shake my head once.
"She is too afraid. Put it on the ground and leave."
Fray nods in understanding, slowly lowering the case to the ground, watching Salsh all the while. Finally the General leaves quietly, and it's as if he was never here.
I make a click with my mouth, and the rasler jumps to attention.
"Retrieve." I command, glancing at the case to lock his target. He immediately grabs it in his mouth, carrying it eagerly to my side and placing it on the nest.
I suddenly wish I had a treat to reward him.
Shifting my precious arm full of soft female, I lift the case in my fingers, my hand flexing and jaw clenching as I realize what I must do. What has to be done in order to ensure our communication is not going to be easy.
A small hand reaches into my line of sight, grabbing my wrist gently to gain my attention.
"I know it'll hurt. I don't care. Nothing is worse than not being able to understand you." The dried tear trails on her face make my chest clench, how can I let more pain come to her when she's been through enough today?
Elodie sighs, grabbing for the case with a speed that I wasn't expecting. She tries to pry it from my hands, but my grip is much stronger than hers.
She is a threat level 1. That's a fact that I still can't quite grasp.
"Okay, fine." I relent, disgruntled that she wants me to hurt her. I suppose it's a necessary hurt, and it'll happen at some point anyway.
I click the case open, grabbing the little device and turning to Elodie with a glare. She shys away from me, and the slight hesitation on her face hurts. I close my eyes, gathering myself with a deep breath. I try to give her a convincing smile to win back her favor.
It works, and she relaxes against me while I bring the translator to her ear. I cup her head in my other hand, keeping her as still as possible and comforting her with a brush of my thumb across her cheekbone.
The translation chip attacks, burrowing into her ear without warning. Suddenly, she stiffens, but doesn't make a sound as pain flashes across her face. The amount of pride I feel in her for being brave is astonishing. I squeeze her tight as the agony passes.
Her brilliant green eyes blink open. Anticipation glimmers in her gaze.
"Say something." She commands breathlessly.
"I love you."
Elodie's eyes fill with tears, and she grabs my neck.
"Really?" She wonders, and I nod, amused and annoyed at her for questioning me.
"Yes. You have become everything to me. I have never felt so much love for someone." I murmur, unable to stop myself from touching her.
She smiles broadly, displaying her white teeth before it disappears. Doubt resurfaces.
"Then why did you try to leave me here?" Elodie wonders. I feel so much guilt for even trying to leave her, knowing what I do now, knowing that she loves me.
"Because I thought... I know that it's what's best for you. You are a female, but not only that, you are the most precious being I've ever encountered. How can I even begin to try to provide you with the luxury you deserve, tiny?"
Her face furrows.
"Tiny?" She asks, and I smile gently.
"That's what I have been calling you."
"So that's what misha means." She sounds oddly upset about this.
I chuckle, playing with a lock of her hair. I spin the curl around my finger.
"What did you think it meant?" I wonder, and her face turns bright red again. I touch her cheeks where the color lies. "This is lovely."
Somehow, the red deepens a shade at my words. She pushes my hand away. I narrow my eyes, wishing to touch her, but respecting her boundaries.
"I don't know. My love, something romantic like that." She shrugs, putting her palms on her face to cover her beautiful oddity from my gaze.
I lean towards her, our breath mingling as I lower my face towards hers.
"Would you like it if I called you my love?" I ask, and her breath catches, suddenly she's pulling the blanket closer to her chest.
She won't look at me.
"Maybe." She responds, glancing at me through her lashes. "But Barre, how could you think that? How could you think that I would prefer a rich and spoiled life? Do I seem that shallow?"
I shake my head.
"No, no, never that. I just think you deserve the best. A life with me.. it wouldn't be easy. I didn't want to ask it of you. That would be asking you to give up being pampered and waited on like the Goddess you are."
We're both silent for a long moment, and then she laughs.
"What's so amusing, little human?"
She straightens, propping herself up on her elbow.
"So, everything you did for me, you don't think that was enough?" She presses, I open my mouth to respond, but she keeps talking. "You treated me like a Queen in your house. You fed me and built fires to keep me warm, you comforted me when I was terrified, you watched over me. You protected me. You dressed my wounds and... and..." Elodie tries to catch her breath after talking as fast as she can. She practically spit the words at me.
It takes a moment to process what she's saying.
"You think that's enough?" I ask, and since she's still panting she simply nods.
"It's" she breathes, "more than" breath "enough."
It's my turn to be confused. Although, I suppose Elodie is different in many ways to the female Rytarians who once walked the planet. She doesn't ask for fine jewels or silk sheets. She doesn't demand the best of everything. She wants me.
"Praise the gods." I reach for her, but stop myself.
Elodie's red eyebrows quirk.
"What? What's wrong?" I purse my lips, my body thrumming with physical awareness. Every part of me wants her.
"I don't... I can't touch you. I don't want to overwhelm you after..."
"Locanas." She finishes in a whisper. I nod, looking away from her pale, brown flecked shoulder. Seeing it exposed is somehow erotic, but I can control myself. It is why I am an infamous Gladiator. Control is key in every element of my life. This is no exception.
Elodie seems to ponder this for a while, biting her lip in a way that tempts me to devour her whole.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything." I respond, knowing that conversation is a welcomed distraction I need right now.
"Do you want me as your mate? Like, do you plan on making me yours? You'll take me back to your cabin and things will go back to how they were before you brought me here?"
Is that even a question?
"Yes. I wouldn't have it any other way. Unless you choose otherwise. But I want you. I need you in a way I don't understand, Elodie."
"Good answer." She responds. "I want to try something."
She's grabbing my hand then, lifting it as she shifts her body in such a way that causes the blanket to fall away. My eyes widen and I scramble to sit up as she drags my hand to her exposed skin.
I hold my breath as my heart beats erratically in my chest. She presses my hand to her breast, the pale flesh is tender and heavenly to the touch. I'm frozen briefly as it fills my hand completely, and then I give a gentle squeeze. The ball of soft fat gives way under my hungry fingers. I groan when she arches into me, a slight whimper leaving her.
My control snaps for the second time today, and I'm kissing her like my survival depends on it. Her tongue delves into my mouth, and I enjoy every second of it. Our hot breath mingles, my body is alive with electricity and so much love I can hardly breathe.
I take my lips off of hers, latching onto her neck instead as I greedily continue to knead her flesh in my palm. I'm tempted to take her right here and now.
"You're nothing like him." The whisper in my ear catches me off guard. I pull away slightly, her burning gaze startles me. "I need your touch. I'm yours. He wanted to take what wasn't his, what I wasn't willing to give him. It's all yours because I say so."
The reminder of Locanas and what he did instantly changes my mood. It steals my arousal and leaves fury in its place.
"He deserves death." I say, making Elodie pale.
"What are they going to do with him?" She wonders. I have to take my hand away from her teat before I clench my hands into fists.
I wish I could tell her that he's to be executed, or that he'll spend the rest of his miserable life in prison. I can't. I hate it. I feel like I've let her down in a major way for not making him pay.
"I don't know yet. They're deciding." I keep my voice calm for Elodie's sake. I can't shove aside the guilt assaulting me.
She's asked me to be her mate, which I happily accept, but I can't even bring her justice. I'm already proving to be a lousy mate.
"Oh." She murmurs, and I can hear the pain and confusion in her little voice. I want to comfort her with words, but I decide enough has been said already, she needs warmth and support now. I can provide that.
And so I nestle her close to me, tucking her under my chin and pulling the blankets and pillows up around us to shield her from the world.
Right now it's just her and I, and I need her to know that.
Uh.. hey. This is awkward lol. I'm back and working hard to repair my mental health.
Already working on the next chapter, hopefully Ill have it up soon :) love you guys so much