Chapter 33: The Cave

Lily finally felt a little more comfortable as she stretched her back and snuggled into the thick blanket she packed. Watching the firelight dance on the cave walls made her remember old memories of her grandmother and parents. Arlo and Finn were both outside. One scouting the area for dangers and the other gathering various berries and nuts they could forage to offer Lily. Her eyes started to get heavy and half lidded as she watched the sparks of the fire slowly slip from her view.

Arlo walked back into the cave to see Lily sleeping soundly and his heart felt full and at ease. He had worried for her well being these last few days. Everything she had been through to adjust to her new life living with him, having a curse mark appear and now nonhumans were after her. He squeezed his fingernails into his balms until his knuckles were white. He wanted her to be happy and feel safe, not constantly on the run or anxious about something else happening. He leaned down and took a long inhale of her scent and felt of rush of warmth through him. His cock immediately strained against his leather pants and he had to look away from her form before he touched her while she slept.

As visions of his Lily danced in his head, Arlo's glance snapped up when Finn came jogging back up to the cave entrance with fruits and a water satchel in his arms. Arlo relaxed as his protective nature almost shredded Finn to pieces. Finn eyed Lily sleeping and sighed knowing she was finally at rest. "So where are we going? And what are we going to do about them?" Finn nodded in the direction they came from. "I can smell them. They will catch up with us on foot by this time tomorrow. Leaving at first light would be best."

Arlo nodded in agreement. "We are heading to my homeland. I do not know how they will react to my return or seeing a creature like Lily but I do know this….. they will have answers about this rune on her body and what we can do to help her." Arlo cupped his jaw and scratched his stubble. Being on the run is starting to make him look and smell like this damned mangy mutt. Finn sat at Lily's feet by the fire. "Well you take first watch, I'm gonna get some sleep." Arlo stared daggers into Finn but let him have his way. He wasn't really tired anyway and Finn did fetch like a good doggy for Lily's breakfast. Arlo stared out into the darkness listening and thinking. He was worried to return home because he was banished. Banished for not confirming to the dragons immoral and twisted ways they treated other species, humans in particular. He worries taking Lily into his old home would be like throwing her to the lions but what other choice did he have?

He needed her safe.

He needed answers.

He needed her to be his.