The Duke's Reluctant Bride

Chapter 45: Fangs of Thunder

Steel clashed against fangs as Valerie charged forward. She cast a bolt of lightning that struck the bear-like monster, but it only flinched before going stiff, as if the attack hadn't mattered at all.

It lunged toward her, another claw descended toward her head, and she barely managed to block it with the flat of her sword, sparks bursting from the impact. The sheer power forced Valerie back. She fought to keep her footing, finally slicing its arms, which were so massive that they rivaled the girth of a child's waist.

"Go now, my lady. You're only a hindrance," she said, turning her head toward Clara with a commanding glare.

"No. I came here to help you," Clara replied, her voice steady with determination.

"I was tasked to protect you, not to let you face the front lines," Valerie added, her voice sharpening.

The creature's severed arms knit back together as it lunged, muscle and bone re-forming in the same breath. Valerie's eyes widened.

It can regenerate that fast?

She twisted aside, barely evading the lunge attack that cut through the space she had just occupied, the ground splitting beneath its weight.

But the reprieve lasted only a heartbeat. Violet fire flared in its jaws, and with a guttural roar, the beast hurled the inferno straight at her.

Valerie's brow tightened. If she dodged, the blast would tear through the forest, or worse, strike Clara. Planting her feet, she raised her blade, bracing to take the full force.

The flames were almost upon her when a golden shield burst to life, the fire shattering against it and vanishing in a gust of wind.

Clara gasped from the effort but held her ground. The beast's head snapped toward her as it realized she was the one who intervened. With a furious swing, its claws tore through the air, splitting it into razor arcs that hurtled straight at her and Ivy.

Valerie darted forward, her sword flashing as she deflected each slicing gust with precise strokes. She cast a quick glance over her shoulder.

"If you want to help, then stay back and cover us." Valerie's tone was sharp. She glanced at Ivy, and the two shared a silent nod.

Valerie and Ivy lunged forward together. The fox met the monster head-on, snapping with powerful jaws and raking claws against its hide. Valerie darted past her, lightning crackling across her blade as she slashed at the beast's flanks, each strike leaving sparks and shallow burns across its thick fur.

Clara raised her hands from behind them, her voice low as she whispered incantations. Small wards shimmered around her allies, reinforcing their guard while bursts of light streaked toward the monster to stagger it, if only for a breath.

But the creature was no simple foe. Its sheer bulk absorbed Ivy's bites, and though Valerie's sword sang with lightning, her strikes only carved shallow wounds that sealed almost as quickly as they opened. With a furious swipe, the beast caught Ivy across the side, its claws raking deep. Blood sprayed, and the guardian fox yelped but didn't retreat, she sank her teeth into its arm in a savage counter.

Valerie gritted her teeth, forcing herself to push harder. She could not falter. Lightning surged brighter along her blade as she pressed in close, striking again and again.

This one's tougher than any monster I've fought before. Damn it.

Ivy's jaws locked onto the creature's arm and Clara channeled every ounce of her strength to keep them standing. Even so, the monster loomed unshaken, forcing them to fight for every inch they gained.