The Vampire Who Loved Me

Chapter 23: Ego

"Argh." I winced biting my lip as the on-site doctor patched up my arm as best as she could. I focused on plans to upgrade the security of the camp as the pain grew in measure.

"Right, your arm is seriously broken, there's nerve damage and you've lost a lot of blood but this should heal within a few weeks but then you have to rebuild the muscles again." I nodded and walked out of the tent after she bandaged it up.

"Damien?" I asked, lingering at the council tent.

"Yes?" He said spinning around slightly angry at the interruption. "Oh, its you!"

"Well, thank you, I've come to help."

"Right, well... um, be my guest." He gestured to the table. I walked over and pulled select papers towards me.

"For starters, this needs to be changed, we can't rely on the forests natural barriers in these areas, he will just tear them away or find away around them. We need to use timber to build up defences too to hold him off for a little longer. Also, sharpen some branches to form spikes and dig them into the ground to cause a small delay. Ah, maybe we need a trap here too..." Hours later I dismissed the council to get on with the plans and find resources.

"You were wonderful you know, its like you belong as a leader. You're a natural." He smirked strolling towards me then tucking my hair behind my ear. I smiled staring into his proud eyes.

He walked to check outside of the tent as I sorted the papers out then leaned back on the table slightly. He turned around and raised his eyebrows at me. He sauntered towards me, replicating the first time we met. I smiled looking to the floor then back to him.

He stood in front of me and after kissing me gently inspected my injuries. "That looks nasty." He announced with concern written across his face.

"It's fine really, just a few scratches that's all." I smiled reassuringly. He didn't accept it.

"No, but, you're so brave and letting him do that as well, it, it was horrible to watch. I felt so powerless and I wanted to just kill him right there but you, you wouldn't let me help..." I put my finger on his lips.

"Stop talking, it was how it was supposed to be. I know what he is like, I know what he'd have done to you, to me to everyone in that camp if you had got in his way. I couldn't allow you to get hurt even if that meant taking the pain for you. I heal alright anyway so don't worry about it, honestly." I pulled him into a hug and he carefully lifted me onto the table, avoiding catching my arm.

"You amaze me. I can't believe how strong you are." I smiled.

"I'm not really strong especially not mentally as you have seen but what has to be done, has to be done." He smiled.

"You are, I can see you getting stronger and fighting its a side of you I'm growing to love more each day." He tucked my hair behind my ear again and touched my face gently, slowly tracing the cuts and bruises on my face. He then took my hand in his and looked back into my eyes. "I love you Lizzie, whatever happens in the upcoming fight, I'll be there, I just want you to know that." Once again I stopped him in his tracks but this time with a kiss. He carefully pulled me closer but kissed me with all the passion in his heart.

I grabbed his shirt with my free arm, bringing him slightly closer as he stood in between my legs. He then started to kiss my neck and I ran my fingers through his hair as he kissed down my body, lowering me back onto the table slowly with his hand on my back.

Just as Damien moved back up to kiss my lips again someone came into the tent, muttered an apology then ran out again. I laughed at the shock on Damiens face then said we should reconvene to our cove. He agreed.

Back at the cove, I sat down and tried to rest my arm which was now just a dull throbbing pain. I watched Damien as he covered the entrance to the cove and sat next to me smiling.

"What are you smiling about?" I asked.

"Am I really more satisfactory?" He smirked cheekily. I punched his arm grinning then tapped my nose. "Aw come on tell me..." He smirked. I shook my head.

"I'm sorry, I dare not aid your ego into reaching the sky anymore." I laughed.

"Hey!" He grinned.

I settled down into my sleeping bag as Damien slid inside too and wrapped his arms around me. I closed my arms smiling then drifted off to sleep.