Precious bride [WattAwards2019]

Rescuing

2410 words

High above Sibiu Codrin was flying in a bat form, searching the streets and houses for sights of his mate.

He was sure she lived here. It was easier to peer into houses as a bat, for they were common around here and that no one paid any attention.

He was was worried he'd never find her, until he heard voices near Patia's house. Then he saw her and nearly lost his balance. He perched on a roof to get a better look at her.

In the light of the streetlamps, she looked even more beautiful than he remembered. He noticed a man walking beside her and Codrin felt a strong pang of jealously. 'Calm down, Codrin' he told himself, taking a deep breath. 'It may not be what you think. He could be a brother or a friend or even a servant. After all, no young lady in their right mind would be out alone at this hour'.

As her and her compaian continued, Codrin followed them and would stop occasionally to watch, debating on if he should approach. He could always take his human form, but he didn't want to win her love under false pretenses. If she were to love him, he wanted it to be him, not how he looked. He was so deep in thought that he didn't even realise he was changing.

As Floarea and Nicholas turned a corner they came across four men wrapped on shabby cloaks huddled against a wall. One of them, with a black stubble around his mouth looked up at her and pleaded in a thick accent:

"Please, domnişa. We are hungry. Could you spare a few coins?"

He held out a shaky hand. Nicolas backed away. Floarea reached into her bag. "I can give a few..."

"Or perhaps" the beggar said, standing up "you could give us all your coins". He took out a small knife from his cloak.

Floarea shrieked as the other three beggars, who were twice their size, stood up and closed in on them. Before They knew it , they were backed into an alleyway.
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Codrin snapped out of his thoughts when heard his mate scream. He started up and gasped when he saw four thieves surrounding her. Codrin eyes narrowed, his eyes becoming crimson, hatred and anger bubbled within.

Nicholas said in a nervous voice "can't we work something out? We don't have much?!"

"Please!" Floarea squivered grabbing her servant's arm. "We'll give you anything!"

"Then hand over the bag". The leader of the thieves smirked, holding out his hand, "and we'll leave you alone".

Floarea was about to when out of nowhere, something came between her and the thieves. All she could see was a tall back covered by a black cape, held up by what looked like back animal claws and fur.

Her blood grew cold. Codrin hissed in the thieves face,making them jump back. They tried to run, but with a swipe of his hand he willed the thieves and thrown them against the wall. Nicolas collapsed to the ground. She was frozen in terror.

"How dare you?" He demanded coldly. "How dare you?!" He lunged at them, his hand on the wall with a thud. "What gives you the right to threaten a defenseless women? A lady?!"

"We...just want food and there was..."

Codrin stepped back. "You won't have to worry about hunger anymore". He opened his mouth and the thieves screamed at the sight of his fangs.

"Wait!"

Codrin teeth were inches from the leader's neck when Floarea's voice stopped him.

"Don't hurt them!"

He moved away from them and looked at her in confusion. She was still shivering in fright, but her eyes were bold and pleading. Such a gaze made him feel like he was melting in the sun.