The Redemption of Maximus

Martell's Story- Maximus

My stupid human has left me no choice. He bangs against the barrier of my mind, and it vibrates from his screams. He refused to listen to me so I shall refuse to listen to him. I will not allow him to cause us to lose out mate. She must know the truth. Someday I hope that he will see and understand why that evil man had to die. Maybe then I will have a chance at redemption.

As I look at our mate I can smell her fear as she approaches me. It saddens me that she is so terrified. I don't even have to wonder if it is in fear of flying on my back or me itself. Even I was amazed when I shifted at our sheer size. In the time of a little over a decade I believe that I am almost as large as Xander. She reaches out a hand and lays it against my hind leg. The tingles from the mate bond are so strong in this form that I have to hold in my groan from her touch.

When I stay still her eyes slowly open and look at me. Moving slowly I so as not to frighten her more, I lower my form to the ground. Closing my eyes in concentration I fold in the spikes along my back and tail so that she will not be cut as she takes a seat. Gently I unfurl my wing and tilt my body so that it is slanted toward the ground.

You may use my wing to find your place. If you climb up to my neck you will be able to hold on. I tell her. She puts on a brave face and begins her accent. All the tingles along my wing where she touch makes me want to laugh. It almost feels like she is tickling me. Sensing movement I watch as Xander comes closer. I release a growl and he stops his forward momentum.

You must have faith in your guard. He would not harm another who was not a threat. I am a part of him so you should trust me to do the same.

"What the hell?" he says out loud. I know he is probably in shock that I can speak to him in this form. I have no idea how I manage to do so but something told me that I could. He looks at me curiously probably wondering what else I am capable of. For once I also wish to know. Emily is finally on my back. She wiggles trying to get comfortable. When she stills I start to take slow steps away from the house that I crushed. Maximus will have to worry about that later.

Walking to the edge of the houses I begin to spread my wings. Hearing an audible gasp from my mate I look back to check on her. She grips the base of my neck as tight as she can, and her eyes are scrunched so tight that her nose is crinkled. I nudge her with my nose until she meets my gaze. I would love to reassure her that this flight will go well but even I don't know how it will go. I turn my head to the sky signaling her that I will be taking off.

Hold on mate.

With three large steps I flap my wings and watch the sky as we begin our ascent. A small scream leaves her lips and I feel her arms on my neck tighten. Once we are higher than the houses I bank in the direction toward our cabin. I believe that she will feel most comfortable there. Flapping my wings is like stretching muscles that haven't been used in forever. They are tight and the strain from not having flown so long is getting to me.

In just a few minutes I land in the clearing outside our cabin. I hit the ground hard, and I feel as she bounces a bit on my back. Looking at her, they are now open, and she looks around. Her hair is blown, and she looks almost wild. Her skin has a glow to it that I have not seen before. As I gaze at her she looks at the ground and then back at me. I see that she wants to get down, but I leave her for just a few minutes as I have enjoyed taking her on her first flight.

With a sigh I lower my head to the ground so that she can slide off. She does so easily and stands there staring. Realizing that I didn't quite think this through I lay my entire body on the ground. I have brought her to the cabin only to realize that I cannot enter in this form.

"I have to admit that wasn't so bad" she says as she looks around the clearing. The grass is high here and hides all of her lower legs. She runs her hands along the top of them as she walk throwing looks my way.