Chasing Merina

erself, frail arms clasping her close as spasms contorted the frame; a bleeding lip, tear-swollen redness of eyes thro

r side in two strides, his hands s

id softly, his

hands on her skin, but too weak

her hoarse voice quive

" he said tightly, "You are no

inst him, her nails scraping against his chest, but he held her tighter, the

isted and turned, trying to get away, but

pered, his voice raw. "I'm

red down her face against her will. Adam climbed onto the bed and

voice cracked. "Please, Adam.

against her hair. "You're stronger than th

ainst his chest in frustration and des

re not nothing," he said, low and fierce. "You're

wal tearing through her like some kind of torture. Adam held her tighter, sp

ainst his chest, her fang bared, biting into her lip until blood trickled from it do

elf," he whispered. "

as she shook her head wildly. "It hurts!"

, his voice hoarse. "I'll

He pushed his fingers inside her mouth, allowing her to bite him instead. Her

" he said soothingly, "b

d sobs breaking his heart into pieces. Adam began rocking

large hands stroking her back in slow, calming motions.

Adam's throat was constricting, but he refused to let her

rted s

he had learned when he was a baby, his mother humming some lullaby to soothe him when he

song wrapped around her like a blanket. She looked

hispered, her v

ead. "Because I'll do

xed against his. He continued singing, his v

ng, her body worn out from the war inside. Adam was still there

kissed her-softly at first, then

k the hurt and soothed her with his lips and hands: stroking their ha

g through the skin to thin lines of blood. Adam didn't wince but tightened his grip, his voice low

ad stilled. Her breathing was slow and steady now, her face slack with exha

lding her for so long. He didn't move. He lay there, his arms wrap

r cheek, his lips staying against h

ed. He didn't bother to wipe it away. The pain i

ered, his voice cr

ed his life would be so predictable, he would marry some suitable strong and polished

fragile woman who had turned his l

ever anticipated and yet

time since he had known her. His chest would clutch at battles she had fought, how

e thought resentfully.

t know her full story yet, but he didn't need to. Whoe

would shield her from his family the world-from

an unsaid promise. "I'll take care of you," he

l guarding her. Tangled, they lay next to each other as dawn swept i

p in the morning other than the empire. He had no idea

would do whatever it