The First Sacrifice

Death and Revival

Death is peculiar, almost peaceful. I was surrounded by warmth even though during Thrash's assault I felt as though I would never be warm again. 

My body was still sore and heavy but I was warm, surrounded by white light and I felt as if  I was floating. 

A peace came over my mind and I thought I would soon be with my children so I smiled.

That smile didn't last long as I thought of the sorrow Maddox would endure. 

He would be inconsolable to have lost his mate and his children and my heart broke for him. In a way I was happy though, there would be no way I could return to him after being rui-.

"Don't you say that about yourself!" I heard a rough voice growl out. "You are not ruined," The gentle voice choked. My eyelids felt heavy but I tried to open them anyway. when they opened my vision was cloudy but I saw a familiar lined face. "Arthur," I croaked. He nodded his eyes pouring over with tears.

His running slowed to a walk, my hearing returned and I heard the faint murmuring of battle humming from behind me. I tried to look around but he stopped me by placing a kiss on my forehead.

"That monster did not ruin you. Do you hear me! You are as pure of heart and soul as you were before you were taken. My heart breaks, we are walking to base camp, you are not dead Eury, and neither are your children.

My heart seemed to stop, sorrow and relief filled my body and I began to cry my sobs shaking my body as he tried to console me and walk me into the base camp.

I heard footsteps but my emotions were overwhelming me and I could not stop crying. 

"Rest her here Arthur," I heard my mother's voice break.  I was set into a lavender and mint bath. Arthur had wrapped me in his own cloak but that was removed from me.

"Get it off. Get it off... please ... please." I begged to reach out for her and she did not disappoint pressing a kiss to my forehead as she ran a sponge over my exposed skin. 

"Hush, honey we will. Hush, now you are home, let us take care of you." she soothed. "I can't smell like him, he'll reject me." I sobbed my eyes wild as I grabbed the sponge rubbing my skin raw feeling still so very dirty, and unclean.

"Hush, child!" Aurora's voice entered the room. I pressed the sponge between my thighs the center was sore, but I still felt him -- inside me an unwelcome guest. I looked towards her face and she cupped my face.

"I know how this  feels." She said with finality. "You are not the actions of another. You are the victim of something deplorable. You are not the act itself. I have been here once, for now, let us help you." she said removing the sponge from my hands and running water through my scalp.

_ _ _

I must have fallen asleep. I woke up with a start as I felt a hand caress my cheek. My eyes flew open and there he was.

His brown eyes were rimmed with tears. His hair was wet and  I saw fresh bruises along his chest and neck. I felt a tear fall over my cheek. I don't know how long we looked at each other in silence. I reached forward to cup his cheek his face leaned into my touch.

His mind slipped into mine and his thoughts caressed my wounded heart. 

"When I lost you my world ended. You ground me to the earth, without you Sanaa and Troy I would be destitute. I know true love, sacrifice, and devotion because of you." 

I closed my eyes as he began to speak. "I found them in that canoe fast asleep. They were warm, clean and well fed. Sanaa's wound was dressed and is healing." "When I found them their content I knew you were taken, but you saved them. They are alive and missing you," he said softly leaning in to press a kiss to my forehead. Tears falling into my hair.

"I found you as well," he said. I began to rock with sobs then, he saw me underneath that brute, he saw me give up. 

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I just.. ccc..ouldn't," I began but he pressed a soft kiss to my trembling lips. I wrapped my arms around him and he tucked me into his body.

"Shhh." he hushed rocking me in his warmth. "I found you, cold, frightened and assaulted. I saw red, I did not come to your aid. For that I am sorry. I killed him before I knew what I was doing. He lay there beside you, his fingers digging into your beautiful skin. He bruised you, my queen hurt by a vile disgusting monster. 

I ripped him apart, I scattered his pieces in front of his clan and spat on his body. I didn't stop there I must confess, anger and rage took hold of me and I set fire to half of his clan and wreaked havoc during the battle with little care for human life. I became someone I did not like,"

I kissed his lips silencing him. he sank into the kiss and I released it. "Mother told me your fears," he said and I recoiled from his touch. He allowed it but returned my eyes to him. Tipping my chin back so I could not look away.

"You are Mine. I am Yours. No monster could ever make me reject you.  So long as you want me I will have you. I will NEVER walk away from you. You have always had that choice. I am however a creature of habit. Once I love it is eternal... my feelings for you will never change."

I sighed softly. "I love you."  pressing my head into his chest. I am at home.

"I love you, my star," he said humming to me.