SWNOVELS Chapter 26
With a herculean effort, Fenris hauled Lyra back onto the ledge. They collapsed together, panting and trembling from the near-death experience.
“Thank you,” Lyra gasped, clutching Fenris tightly. “You saved my life.”
Fenris pressed a fierce kiss to her forehead. “Always,” he promised.
As the adrenaline faded, Lyra became aware of a sharp pain in her side. She looked down to see a large gash where she had scraped against the rocks during her fall. “You’re hurt,” Fenris said, his voice tight with worry.
Lyra tried to wave off his concern. “It’s not that bad. We need to keep moving.”
But as she tried to stand, a wave of dizziness washed over her. The world tilted alarmingly, and she would have fallen if Fenris hadn’t caught her.
“You’re not going anywhere,” he said firmly. “We need to find shelter and tend to that wound.”
Despite Lyra’s protests, Fenris scooped her up in his arms and began carefully making his way along the path. His keen senses soon led them to a small cave, sheltered from the wind and prying eyes.
Gently, Fenris set Lyra down and began examining her injury. The gash was deeper than it had first appeared, and blood flowed freely from the wound.
“This needs to be cleaned and bandaged,” Fenris said, his voice grim. “I’m going to have to use some of our medical supplies.”
Lyra nodded weakly, the pain and blood loss making her light-headed. She watched as Fenris efficiently cleaned the wound, his touch gentle despite his large, calloused hands. As he worked, Fenris spoke softly, his voice a soothing balm to Lyra’s frayed nerves. “You know, this reminds me of the first time I had to patch myself up after a fight. I was young, barely more than a pup, and I’d gotten into a scrap with a bear.”
Despite her discomfort, Lyra found herself smiling. “A bear? What did you do to provoke it?”
Fenris chuckled. “Existed, mostly. I was cocky, thought I could take on anything. Learned pretty quickly that there’s always something bigger and meaner out there.”
His story continued as he carefully stitched the wound closed, distracting Lyra from the pain with tales of his youthful misadventures. By the time he finished bandaging her side, Lyra felt more relaxed, the worst of the pain dulled to a manageable ache.
“There,” Fenris said, sitting back on his heels. “That should hold for now. But you need rest to let it heal properly.”
Lyra shook her head, frustration evident in her voice. “We don’t have time for that. The artifact-”
“Can wait,” Fenris interrupted gently. “You’re more important than any magical trinket.” Seeing the determination in his eyes, Lyra relented. She allowed Fenris to help her into a more comfortable position, propped up against the cave wall.
As night fell outside their shelter, Fenris built a small fire and prepared a simple meal from their supplies. He coaxed Lyra into eating, knowing she needed to keep up her strength.
After they had eaten, Fenris settled beside Lyra, carefully pulling her into his arms. She rested her head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
“I was so scared,” Lyra whispered, her voice barely audible. “When I was falling… I thought that was it. That I’d never see you again.”
Fenris tightened his embrace, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Lyra. I swear it.”
She looked up at him, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “You can’t promise that. This quest… it’s dangerous. Either of us could die at any moment.”
“Then we’ll face that danger together,” Fenris said firmly. “Whatever comes, we’ll handle it as a team. I’m not going anywhere.”
Lyra reached up, tracing the lines of his face with her fingertips. “I love you, Fenris. More than I ever thought possible.”
He caught her hand, pressing a tender kiss to her palm. “And I love you, my brave, beautiful witch. Now and always.”
Their lips met in a kiss that was both gentle and passionate, conveying all the love and fear and hope that filled their hearts. When they parted, Lyra felt a sense of peace settle over her, despite the pain of her injury and the dangers that still lay ahead.
As she drifted off to sleep in Fenris’s arms, Lyra knew that whatever challenges they faced, they would face them together. The path ahead was treacherous, but with Fenris by her side, she felt ready to take on the world.
The night passed peacefully, the mountain winds howling outside their shelter but unable to touch the warmth they had found in each other’s arms. As dawn broke, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold, Lyra stirred, feeling stronger and more determined than ever.
She looked up at Fenris, who had kept watch through the night, his eyes alert and protective. “Thank you,” she said softly. “For taking care of me, for being here… for everything.”
Fenris smiled, the love in his eyes clear as day. “Always,” he promised once more.