Leila fought to stay conscious, but the unrelenting shakes and jolts from the monster's movements made it nearly impossible. Her head slammed against something hard, sending a sharp jolt of pain through her skull. Darkness clouded her vision, and her body went limp, sinking into the acidic slime.
She was barely aware of her surroundings, caught between the agony searing her flesh and the numbing cold of unconsciousness. The only thing tethering her to reality was the excruciating pain, consuming her like fire.
As her mind began to drift, ready to give in, a loud snap echoed through the chamber, followed by a deafening thud and another ferocious roar.
Through the haze, she felt a sudden rush of cool air and the sensation of being yanked upward, out of the suffocating liquid.
She gasped, choking on her breath as she surfaced, her body trembling violently.
Strong arms cradled her, holding her securely against a firm chest. The heat of his body was a stark contrast to the chill that had settled in her bones.
Golden eyes stared down at her with a mixture of concern and relief. Shahkhur, she couldn't see him yet, but she could smell him, and she could hear his heartbeat.
"Leila," he breathed, his voice low and steady but filled with urgency.
The acidic slime clung to her body, burning her skin even as it dripped onto him. Shahkhur grimaced as it scorched his own flesh, but he didn't falter. She was healing but it was slow because the acid was still on her, he needed to wash it off if he wanted her to heal/
He looked around, his eyes widened when he realized something, tightening his grip on her, he turned and sprinted toward a stream just a short distance away, the moonlight casting a radiant glow on the scene.
Leila's gaze flickered toward the moon, its light so pure and majestic compared to the illusory one created by the monster. She cursed herself for not noticing the difference earlier.
A sharp gasp escaped her lips as Shahkhur waded into the water, lowering her carefully into its cool embrace, and doing everything he could to get the acid away from their bodies.
The stream's gentle current washed over her, soothing the burning wounds on her body. She could feel the toxins dissolving, the pain easing ever so slightly.
Shahkhur knelt beside her, his hands never leaving her. He cupped her face gently, his thumbs brushing away the remnants of slime as his piercing golden eyes searched hers.
"You should have listened to me," Shahkhur scolded, his voice sharper than he intended.
Leila flinched slightly but remained silent. She was still reeling from the horror of nearly being digested alive, her mind racing with the memory of burning pain and suffocating darkness.
"Let go of me," she snapped, shoving him weakly as she stumbled out of the stream. Her body was trembling, her knees barely holding her up, but her pride wouldn't allow her to show weakness.
Shahkhur didn't argue, though he stayed close, his gaze fixed on her as she stomped away once more.
"I never asked for your help!" she spat, her voice trembling as much from fear as anger.
"Stop," his voice rang out, firm and commanding.
Leila froze instinctively, her breath hitching. She turned to glare at him, but the seriousness in his eyes made her pause.
"That's a dangerous spot," Shahkhur said, walking toward her with urgency.
He reached her side and pulled her back slightly. "It may look like simple mud," he continued, "but it's a trap of death."
To prove his point, he picked up a small branch and threw it into the seemingly solid patch of earth ahead. The ground shifted instantly, collapsing into a gaping pit that seemed to have no bottom.
Leila gasped audibly, clutching Shahkhur's arm without thinking. Her wide eyes locked onto the pit as she struggled to steady her breathing. Every part of this forest seemed to be a trap, and she shudder, she wonder how Shahkhur was able to distinguish between a normal path and a trap.
Her eyes narrowed softly, as she recalled that he had been living in here for the past twelve years, which meant he must have fallen victim to them countless times, and he had tried his best to survive.
"You can't leave here unless I help you," Shahkhur said softly, his tone calmer now, but Leila didn't fail to notice the small strain in his voice. "All I ask is that you listen to me—at least until we're out of this forest."
Leila's breathing began to steady, and she slowly looked up at him. That was when she noticed the burns marring his face and upper arms. Her gaze dropped to his bare chest, where a deep stab wound was visible, though the bleeding had stopped.
"How did you get that?" she asked, her voice quieter now.
Shahkhur folded his arms, trying to appear unaffected, though the pain was evident in the tightness of his jaw. He glanced away, his tone almost nonchalant.
"I fought with the tentacle monster to save you," he said almost proudly, nodding toward the lifeless creature in the distance.
Leila's gaze followed his gesture, her eyes widening as she took in the massive, grotesque form of the monster he had slain. Her anger faltered, replaced by a wave of guilt and reluctant gratitude.
Her eyes drifted back to Shahkhur, softening as she realized the extent of his injuries. The burns, she realized, were from the acidic liquid he had braved to pull her out of the monster's belly.
Leila bit down on her lips, her guilt gnawing at her. With a resolute breath, she outstretched her left wrist toward Shahkhur's face.
Shahkhur's golden eyes narrowed as he stared at her hand in confusion. "What are you doing?" he asked, his tone guarded as he eyed them evilly.
"It's my fault you have those wounds," she replied, her voice tight with emotion. She turned her gaze away, unable to look him in the eye, this was the least she could do to show her appreciation. "Drink my blood, and you'll heal faster."
Shahkhur's jaw tightened as he slapped her hand away.
"I'll heal on my own," he said firmly, dismissing the idea of drinking her blood, after everything she had told him.
"Don't be stubborn," Leila snapped, her frustration slipping through. "I hate feeling indebted to people. Just drink! It's not poison it will heal you."
He shook his head, his gaze hardening. "Isn't this the same blood the Shah lusts after? I won't take it. I may look like a monster, but my humanity remains intact."
Leila's shoulders tensed at his words. "I'm not doing this because of that," she muttered, her voice quieter now. "You're injured because of me, and it's terrible. Just take it—let me help you. Please, I am not doing this because I am forced to, I want to help you the same way you helped me."
"No." Shahkhur's voice cut through the air like a blade. He turned and began walking away, his movements strained. "Protecting you is my responsibility, not something you owe me for, there is nothing I want in return."
"Shahkhur…" Leila called him desperately.
"I told you not to call me that!" he snarled, spinning around to face her. His fangs bared, his control slipping as the poison coursing through his veins heightened his agitation.
Leila didn't flinch. Instead, she stepped closer, determination shining in her eyes. She reached out and pressed her finger against the edge of one of his sharp canines.
"Stop!" Shahkhur growled, grabbing her wrist and pulling her flush against his chest. His grip was firm but trembling, his body battling the venom's effects.
"I told you," he said, his voice low and precise. "I don't want your blood."
Leila's gaze softened as she noticed the veins on his face, now tinged with an ominous blue hue. "You're poisoned," she murmured, her voice laced with concern as soon as she noticed.
Shahkhur's breathing was uneven, his golden eyes darkened with strain.
"Let me help you," she pleaded, her voice gentle but insistent. "Don't be so stubborn. If this continues, it'll kill you."
"If you weren't here, I'd handle this on my own," Shahkhur whispered, his voice strained and low. "This isn't the first time I am getting poisoned, it will wear off later."
He leaned closer, his golden eyes locking with hers, and Leila gasped softly. His self-control, already threadbare, was unraveling fast, and now it seemed like the desire that suddenly seeped into him might destroy him before the poison could.
Suddenly gripping her jaw firmly yet gently, Shahkhur pulled her face toward his, and in a heartbeat, his lips were on hers.
Leila's eyes widened in shock at the suddenness of the kiss. But as their lips met, logic and reason melted away, replaced by a searing heat that coursed through her body. Sparks ignited where his lips pressed against hers, sending waves of electric energy down her spine.
A quiet moan slipped from her lips as his tongue explored her mouth, deepening the kiss with an urgency that mirrored her own. Her hands clutched at him instinctively, pulling him closer, their bodies pressed tightly together as the heat between them intensified.
Shahkhur's strong arms encircled her, lifting her slightly as he deepened the embrace. His kisses trailed down her jawline to her neck, stopping at the mark he'd left on her. Leila trembled as the area's sensitivity made her gasp, her voice filled with yearning.
"Shahkhur…" she whispered her tone a mix of desire and desperation.
The sound of his name on her lips seemed to push him over the edge. He grazed his teeth lightly over the mark, his fangs teasing the delicate skin. Pleasure radiated from the spot, consuming her senses.
"Please," she begged, her voice breathy and intoxicated. "Take my blood."
As if entranced, Shahkhur pressed his fangs into the mark. Instead of pain, an overwhelming pleasure surged through her, causing her to cling to him even tighter. Her head fell back, and a blissful moan escaped her lips, her body trembling as if consumed by fire.
For Shahkhur, the moment her blood touched his tongue, relief washed over him like a cool tide. The potent energy within her blood coursed through his veins, neutralizing the poison and mending his wounds with a speed he hadn't anticipated.
When he finally pulled away, a quiet whimper of disappointment escaped Leila. Her half-lidded eyes stared into his, still clouded with the emotions of the moment.
Shahkhur's expression softened but darkened with guilt. He cupped her face with trembling hands, his gaze filled with even more desire.
"We shouldn't do this," he murmured, his voice heavy with restraint and longing. He wanted more, but he knew he had to stop now, for her sake.