Laurel

2:16 Sky

"Sky?! Oh god Sky please be ok." Laurel. That was Laurel's voice. Am I dead? No, my head hurts far too much for this to be death. There was a gentle tapping on my shoulders, and I was pleased to realize I was no longer bound and could move freely. I opened my eyes preparing for the harsh glare of the suns to hurt my eyes and head in a new way, but it was already night, late night judging by the three moons' positions in the night.

Laurel was beside me, holding my hand, trying to rouse me from what was likely a concussion forced nap. Thanks to her sadistic unbalanced ex boyfriend. The second such gift from him.

"Shit Cole?!" I sputtered with panic, trying to sit up, to defend Laurel, my chest and abdomen were full of bruises, and probably a few cracked ribs. Steel toed boots were a bitch. "Where is Cole?" I looked around, a nice campfire was set up, and someone had collected all of mine and Laurel's gear. I was laying on the bedrolls, Brydel was here, and another man I didn't know, both naked. But also looking, relaxed? Laurel was here, unharmed. Dressed, hair in a tidy braid that started by one ear, wrapping around her head like a crown before following the curve around the nape of her neck towards her other ear before a long thick braid trailed over her shoulder. Flawless warrior queen.

"Shhh it's ok," Laurel continued to hold my hand in hers, and moved her others to cup my cheek. I leaned in to her touch, taking deep breaths, her scent calming my heart. Being near her eased the pain from my various injuries. "Cole is gone, Valentina fled, and once Cole was...um"

"I ate him" the wirey tan skinned man with black hair said, looking at Laurel and smiling at her like he was a puppy and she, his master.

"Yes," She looked back at the strange man. "Auris ate him, which either killed him outright or forced his essense back to some demonic purgatory, anyways. I don't really understand what happened and he can't explain it simply enough for me to understand. You might get it though." She shrugged and looked at me again." Once Cole was gone, the big dog things just melted into the rocks and were gone. We're together and everything is ok Sky." She wrapped her arms around my neck and moved as though she would crawl into my lap.

I couldn't stop the hiss of pain from leaving my lips. I wanted her near me, no I wanted our bodies to be intertwined together in a tangle of limbs. But I was in no shape for much of anything right now. She leapt back from me in response to my slight sound of pain, worry and concern flooding her beautiful golden eyes as she looked at me.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. If Auris hadn't already killed Cole I would do it myself for what he did to you." I was glad when her concern and worry turned to rage and desire to avenge me. I loved Laurel's moods, she felt everything so strongly. I noticed her teeth and nails grew longer, sharper for just a moment when she threatened to kill Cole herself. Even as a nightmare creature with sharp teeth and claws she was beautiful.

I considered myself well versed in the different species known across the realms. I had learned much of the demonic world and their rules for existence while I was a child. Then while escaping I had encountered and seen evidence of a variety of society based subterranean fae creatures. Since emerging by the sea, I had learned human history and many ancient gods from the tribes of Fortuna. I had collected every book I could. Laurel remained a mystery. I could think of nothing quite like her.

"You could never hurt me, Laurel" I took her hand in mine, drawing her back, closer to me again, guiding her so she was tucked up under my arm, curled into my side. "You are my heart, I am only alive when I am with you." I gently tilted her chin up so she was looking at me, eyes glistening as she held back tears while I pressed my lips to her softly, trying to convey all the tender feelings in my heart to her every way I could. Making sure I didn't wince as my damaged ribs proteste my movements. Besides, they hurt less the more I was with her.