Threads of Fate

Chapter 22 ~ Heart and Soul

Darkness had fallen across the forest but still the Blood Fae were hunting them. Talarion hadn't been able to shake them, and between trying to guide their mount with one hand and healing Kaius's wounds with the other, he had no way of attacking them. Kaius still had his bow and a full quiver thankfully, and the male was impatiently waiting to be healed enough to wield it.

Talarion could only hope his sister was having better luck than they were. He'd seen her firing at their pursuers as she and Azael rode off, and in spite of his instincts, he'd been glad the male was with her. He'd proven himself to be a formidable fighter, and at the very least, he'd serve as a decent distraction so that Tissaia could escape if worse came to worst.

"To Hel with this," Kaius grumbled, catching his attention. He didn't get a chance to protest before the male twisted and fired an arrow across his shoulder. Pain flashed through his features the next instant, though a loud yelp came from behind.

"What's the point of me healing you if you're just going to undo my work the moment it's finished?" Talarion scolded

"You'll never get a chance to finish if we don't get these Blood Fae off our trail. There's only two. If we stop and face them..."

"That would be your answer," he muttered. "If you're bored, just say so."

Kaius shot him a mocking sneer. "I'm bored."

Talarion dug his heels back and his mount recognized the cue, skidding to a halt and rounding to face the massive Wolf and Lynx that barreled towards them. "Don't you dare get off this horse," he spat to Kaius, then jumped off himself and brandished his curved daggers. The Phoenix didn't answer, but the tip of his nocked arrow flared crimson with magic.

With half a thought, Talarion placed a shield over the male, then manifested two small ones on his forearms. He spread his stance wider and braced himself as the Wolf bore down on him. He leaped to the side as the Blood Fae lunged with fangs outstretched. Before the beast could turn, Talarion plunged his daggers into the side of its neck and ripped down through its shoulder.

The Wolf howled and rounded on him, but Talarion dove to the ground and rolled underneath its legs. He brought a shielded arm over his head in time to catch the Wolf's next attack and risked a glance at Kaius. He was still on the horse thankfully and the Lynx's pelt was riddled with arrows, but the beast hadn't stopped its approach. Talarion didn't get to see the impact.

The Wolf pounced on him again, throwing him back several paces. One of his daggers flew from his grasp and Talarion swore. He ducked past another vicious bite and drove his remaining dagger straight through the Wolf's paw and into the ground. The Wolf let out a furious, pained snarl, then bared its jaws wider and snapped towards him.

Talarion caught the creature's jaws in his bare hands and wrestled against them, struggling to keep them from closing around his head. He didn't dare reach for one of his other hidden daggers. The Wolf would swallow his head in one bite. Talarion gritted his teeth, his knees digging into the dirt. Hoofbeats pounded towards him before someone gave a faint grunt of exertion.

The Wolf's weight suddenly doubled and Talarion almost buckled. He heard the scrape of a sword being unsheathed, then steel slicing through flesh. The Wolf's jaws went limp and Talarion lifted his gaze. He found himself staring at the back of the Wolf's throat where a sword protruded, mere inches from having pierced his own skull.

Talarion scrambled backwards and found Kaius grinning at him as he wrenched his sword loose. "You could've killed me," Talarion panted. "And I told you to stay on the horse."

"I did until that Wolf was almost eating you." Kaius knelt, wiping his blade clean on the grass, then sheathed it. "Just admit that you're impressed. You'll never convince me otherwi..." He broke off as Talarion cupped his cheek in his hands and pressed their lips together. "I knew it," Kaius chuckled when he drew back. His smile shifted to a grimace the next instant and Talarion's gaze dipped to his bloodstained shirt.