Malachai caught her as she pressed into him, arms closing around her before she had the chance to collapse under the weight of her grief. She was trembling, exhaustion and sorrow threatening to pull her under, but he wasn’t about to let that happen. Not now.
Wordlessly, he lifted her from the ground, her weight slight in his arms, and carried her a few paces to a nearby rock, settling her there as if she were precious glass. His grip was firm, steady—something solid to hold onto in the midst of the storm still raging inside her.
He took her wrist in his hand, fingers pressing lightly over the delicate skin there, feeling for the unsteady rhythm of her pulse. Too fast. She was dehydrated, her body running on the last shreds of energy she had left. With a quiet exhale, Mal nicked his finger with the edged ring, letting his magic flow into her, a steady warmth of blood magic easing through her veins, taking the worst of the edge off. It wasn’t much, just enough to dull the aches, enough to remind her body that it was safe now, but not enough to enrapture her mind under his will.
I have her, he sent through the link to Malik. We’ll make for the nearest village. She won’t last long in the saddle like this.
The acknowledgment came swift and wordless, a sense of understanding passed between them. The wolf, once slipping the gryphon’s pursuit would already melt into the darkness, scouting ahead for the best path.
Malachai pulled away just enough to shrug off his heavy cloak, the thick fabric still warm from his body as he draped it around her thin shoulders. It swallowed her up almost entirely, but he didn't care. She needed warmth. She needed something that smelled of familiarity, of comfort, of him.
Then, without another word, he gathered her back into his arms, lifting her easily as he moved towards his horse.
And with that, he nudged the horse forward, carrying her away steadily until finding firmer ground he could urge the beast into a faster pace.
@Ophelia Jolfy
Wordlessly, he lifted her from the ground, her weight slight in his arms, and carried her a few paces to a nearby rock, settling her there as if she were precious glass. His grip was firm, steady—something solid to hold onto in the midst of the storm still raging inside her.
You did what you had to do, Ophelia,he murmured, his voice quieter now, no longer laced with the sharp edge of his earlier anger.
You survived. You were brave. You did as your brothers instructed.
He took her wrist in his hand, fingers pressing lightly over the delicate skin there, feeling for the unsteady rhythm of her pulse. Too fast. She was dehydrated, her body running on the last shreds of energy she had left. With a quiet exhale, Mal nicked his finger with the edged ring, letting his magic flow into her, a steady warmth of blood magic easing through her veins, taking the worst of the edge off. It wasn’t much, just enough to dull the aches, enough to remind her body that it was safe now, but not enough to enrapture her mind under his will.
I have her, he sent through the link to Malik. We’ll make for the nearest village. She won’t last long in the saddle like this.
The acknowledgment came swift and wordless, a sense of understanding passed between them. The wolf, once slipping the gryphon’s pursuit would already melt into the darkness, scouting ahead for the best path.
Malachai pulled away just enough to shrug off his heavy cloak, the thick fabric still warm from his body as he draped it around her thin shoulders. It swallowed her up almost entirely, but he didn't care. She needed warmth. She needed something that smelled of familiarity, of comfort, of him.
You're safe,he said again, his voice softer this time. Not a command, not a demand—just a fact.
Then, without another word, he gathered her back into his arms, lifting her easily as he moved towards his horse.
Hold on, I’ll be right behind you.He mounted smoothly, settling her in front of him, one arm securely around her waist as he took the reins with his free hand. The gryphon was still out there, somewhere, the cat and few belongings would be gathered by his subordinate, but for now, the priority was getting her to shelter.
Rest,he murmured, lips pressing softly against her ear, just for her.
I’ve got you now.
And with that, he nudged the horse forward, carrying her away steadily until finding firmer ground he could urge the beast into a faster pace.
@Ophelia Jolfy
02-06-2025, 02:25 PM
