Page 20 of Her Immortal Love

ALEXEI

I'm in the thick of the battle, my wings carrying me swiftly above the chaos. The clash of steel and screams of the wounded fill the air. My hands are slick with blood, both mine and my enemies'. I've lost count of how many dark elves I've dispatched.

Suddenly, a jolt of fear pierces through me. It's not my own. Alina.

I whip my head around, searching for her. There, in the distance, I see her surrounded by a swarm of dark elves. Her magic flickers weakly around her. Shit.

"Brinda! Cover the eastern flank!" I roar, already diving towards Alina.

A dark elf leaps at me, blade glinting. I twist mid-air, narrowly avoiding the strike. My fist connects with his jaw, sending him plummeting to the ground.

"Get the fuck out of my way," I snarl, dispatching another with a quick slash of my claws.

The bond between Alina and me — one I've noticed but not wanted to acknowledge — pulses with her fear and exhaustion.She's fading fast. I push myself harder, my wings straining with the effort.

A group of dark elves spots me coming. They form a wall, determined to keep me from her. Rage boils in my veins. I summon every ounce of my newfound magic, feeling it crackle along my skin.

"Move or die," I growl.

They charge. I meet them head-on, a whirlwind of claws and magic. One falls, then another. A blade slices my arm, but I barely feel it. Nothing matters except getting to Alina.

I break through their line, leaving a trail of broken bodies behind me. Alina's on her knees now, her magic sputtering weakly as a dark elf raises his sword for the killing blow.

"No!" The word tears from my throat as I hurl myself forward.

I crash into the dark elf, sending us both tumbling. His sword clatters away. We grapple, rolling in the blood-soaked mud. He's strong, but I'm stronger. I pin him down, fangs bared.

"You picked the wrong fucking day," I growl, then tear out his throat.

I leap to my feet, scanning for Alina. She's collapsed, her skin ashen. Fuck. I scoop her into my arms, cradling her against my chest.

"Stay with me," I murmur, feeling for a pulse. It's there, but weak.

A vrakken soldier lands nearby, nostrils flaring. His eyes lock onto Alina, hunger clear in his gaze.

"Back off," I snarl, pulling her closer.

He takes a step forward. "She's dying anyway. Let me-"

I don't let him finish. My fist connects with his jaw, sending him sprawling.

"Anyone else want to try?" I roar, challenging the circling vrakken.

They hesitate, torn between their hunger and fear of me. I use their indecision, launching into the air. Alina's limp in my arms, her breathing shallow.

"Hold on, Alina," I plead, wings straining as I race back to camp.

A dark elf archer spots us. His arrow whizzes past, too close. I dive, weaving to avoid the next volley. Alina groans weakly, the movement jostling her.

"Sorry, sorry," I mutter, banking hard to avoid another arrow.

We're almost there. The vrakken camp looms ahead, a beacon of safety. But the scent of Alina's blood has drawn attention. More vrakken converge on us, their eyes wild with bloodlust.

I land hard, stumbling but keeping Alina secure. A ring of vrakken surrounds us, closing in.

"She needs help," I growl, backing towards the medical tent. "Stand down."

One lunges. I kick him away, my wings flaring protectively around Alina. Another grabs for her. I twist, slamming my elbow into his face.