Her Immortal Love (Brides of the Vrakken #2)

12. Alexei

12

ALEXEI

I 'm in the thick of the battle, my wings carrying me swiftly above the chaos. The clash of steel and screams of the wounded fill the air. My hands are slick with blood, both mine and my enemies'. I've lost count of how many dark elves I've dispatched.

Suddenly, a jolt of fear pierces through me. It's not my own. Alina.

I whip my head around, searching for her. There, in the distance, I see her surrounded by a swarm of dark elves. Her magic flickers weakly around her. Shit.

"Brinda! Cover the eastern flank!" I roar, already diving towards Alina.

A dark elf leaps at me, blade glinting. I twist mid-air, narrowly avoiding the strike. My fist connects with his jaw, sending him plummeting to the ground.

"Get the fuck out of my way," I snarl, dispatching another with a quick slash of my claws.

The bond between Alina and me — one I've noticed but not wanted to acknowledge — pulses with her fear and exhaustion. She's fading fast. I push myself harder, my wings straining with the effort.

A group of dark elves spots me coming. They form a wall, determined to keep me from her. Rage boils in my veins. I summon every ounce of my newfound magic, feeling it crackle along my skin.

"Move or die," I growl.

They charge. I meet them head-on, a whirlwind of claws and magic. One falls, then another. A blade slices my arm, but I barely feel it. Nothing matters except getting to Alina.

I break through their line, leaving a trail of broken bodies behind me. Alina's on her knees now, her magic sputtering weakly as a dark elf raises his sword for the killing blow.

"No!" The word tears from my throat as I hurl myself forward.

I crash into the dark elf, sending us both tumbling. His sword clatters away. We grapple, rolling in the blood-soaked mud. He's strong, but I'm stronger. I pin him down, fangs bared.

"You picked the wrong fucking day," I growl, then tear out his throat.

I leap to my feet, scanning for Alina. She's collapsed, her skin ashen. Fuck. I scoop her into my arms, cradling her against my chest.

"Stay with me," I murmur, feeling for a pulse. It's there, but weak.

A vrakken soldier lands nearby, nostrils flaring. His eyes lock onto Alina, hunger clear in his gaze.

"Back off," I snarl, pulling her closer.

He takes a step forward. "She's dying anyway. Let me-"

I don't let him finish. My fist connects with his jaw, sending him sprawling.

"Anyone else want to try?" I roar, challenging the circling vrakken.

They hesitate, torn between their hunger and fear of me. I use their indecision, launching into the air. Alina's limp in my arms, her breathing shallow.

"Hold on, Alina," I plead, wings straining as I race back to camp.

A dark elf archer spots us. His arrow whizzes past, too close. I dive, weaving to avoid the next volley. Alina groans weakly, the movement jostling her.

"Sorry, sorry," I mutter, banking hard to avoid another arrow.

We're almost there. The vrakken camp looms ahead, a beacon of safety. But the scent of Alina's blood has drawn attention. More vrakken converge on us, their eyes wild with bloodlust.

I land hard, stumbling but keeping Alina secure. A ring of vrakken surrounds us, closing in.

"She needs help," I growl, backing towards the medical tent. "Stand down."

One lunges. I kick him away, my wings flaring protectively around Alina. Another grabs for her. I twist, slamming my elbow into his face.

"I said, STAND DOWN!" I roar, letting my magic flare visibly.

They falter, some backing away. But a few press forward, driven mad by the scent of her blood.

I fight my way through, one arm holding Alina, the other lashing out at anyone who gets too close. My own hunger gnaws at me, Alina's scent intoxicating. But I push it down, focusing on getting her to safety.

Finally, we burst into the medical tent. Healers rush forward, taking Alina from my arms. I stagger, the adrenaline fading.

"Save her," I order, then collapse to my knees, exhausted but vigilant.

It doesn't take long for the battle to wind down after that, vrakken limping in. I want to be by Alina's side, but instead, I stand before Nyx and Raziel, my body still caked in mud and blood from the battle. The adrenaline has long since faded, leaving me bone-weary. But I force myself to stand tall, meeting their gazes unflinchingly.

"What the fuck were you thinking, Alexei?" Nyx's voice is cold, her black eyes swirling with silver as she glares at me.

I clench my jaw. "I was saving a valuable asset."

Raziel scoffs, his dark wings rustling. "An asset? You abandoned your post for a human."

"A human with immense magical power," I counter. "One who's been helping our wounded and fighting alongside us."

"She's still just a human," Nyx says, her voice dangerously soft. "And you're a vrakken commander. You had a duty."

The words sting, but I don't let it show. "My duty is to ensure our victory. Alina's magic has been crucial in turning the tide of battle. Losing her would have been a significant blow."

"And the soldiers under your command?" Raziel asks, his eyes narrowing. "What of your duty to them?"

Guilt gnaws at me, but I push it down. "I made a tactical decision. Brinda took over my position. We didn't lose ground."

"But we didn't gain any either," Nyx snaps. "This battle ended in a stalemate, Alexei. Do you understand what that means? We're running out of time and resources. We can't afford draws."

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "I stand by my decision. Alina is an asset worth protecting, both for her magic and for the morale of the other humans. Losing her would have been devastating."

Nyx and Raziel exchange a look. There's something in their eyes I can't quite read.

"You're getting too close to her, Alexei," Raziel says finally. "It's clouding your judgment."

I open my mouth to protest, but Nyx cuts me off. "We've seen how you look at her. How you protect her. This isn't just about strategy anymore, is it?"

My heart pounds. I want to deny it, but the words stick in my throat. Because they're right. Alina has become more than just an asset to me. The thought of losing her...

"My feelings don't change the fact that she's valuable to our cause," I say carefully.

Nyx sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Alexei, you're one of our best. We can't have you compromised by a human girl."

"I'm not compromised," I insist, even as doubt gnaws at me. "I'm still committed to our people, to our cause."

Nyx studies me for a long moment, then nods. "You're dismissed, Alexei. Get some rest. We'll need you at your best for the next battle."

I bow stiffly and turn to leave, my mind racing. But before I can make it too far, Nyx's voice calls out. "And Alexei? Remember what you are. What she is. Don't let yourself forget the difference."

I don't turn back, just nod once and walk away from them. My feet carry me towards the medical area before I can stop myself. I need to see Alina, to make sure she's okay.

I don't know what I'll do if she's not.