Bloodcrest

Episode 6

I was surrounded by pitch-black darkness before a light shined down upon me. My eyes slowly adjusted to the sudden light and then there stood my mother. I was so filled with happiness that I rushed towards her, but when I got to her she vanished. I looked around and suddenly I was looking up at my mother in the mirror while she brushed my hair. She said fondly," Lucifera, this is not where you're supposed to be." I was confused and asked her, "What do you mean, mother? I'm here with you now." She smiled and said, "It's not your time my love." She started to fade and I cried while pleading with her, "No! Mom! Please don't go!" I reached out to her and just before she completely faded she said, "Go, my dear. They need you more. I'll see you again when the time is right." I cried for her again before fading back into the dark.

Rufus's POV

After I hit the water, I looked around for Lucifera. I looked all around and when I couldn't find her I started to panic. Where is she? Please be safe, Lucifera! I was on the verge of roaring at that point. Why? Lucifera is my mate, that's why I care so much about her. I couldn’t help remembering how I met her.

–Flashback–

I had gone into town to buy some supplies for my parents when I ran into a beautiful little girl with hair as black as obsidian and eyes like deep pools of blood. She was breathtaking and smelled like roses and vanilla. She was being carried by an older man that I came to know as her father. Her father gave her to her mother with a smile and told them to go enjoy themselves before looking back at me. He walked towards me and said in a whisper, “Fix your eyes, boy, or you’ll get caught and hunted.” My eyes snapped up to meet his in shock, while he smiled at me kindly. “Much better. I know what you are, son. What’s your name?” I shook my head, still in shock, as I tried to answer him. I heard him say with a sigh, “Please don’t make me use my kingly aura on you to get your answer.” I immediately bowed my head before saying, “My name is Rufus, Your Royal Highness.” I felt a hand ruffle my hair as he chuckled, “No need to be so formal with me. Now, to the matter at hand. My daughter is your mate, correct?” I was about to deny it with a shake of my head so that he wouldn’t kill me, but his words stopped me, “I can tell because you showed your dragon eyes around all these humans involuntarily. That only happens when we meet our mates, son.” I dropped my head in shame from not being able to control myself, then I heard him say, “Look, my daughter has no idea about what I am because I went into hiding to protect her, but I will allow you to be around her. My only condition is that you don’t tell her about us or reveal yourself unless she is in danger, understood?" I nodded my head and he smiled. While holding out his hand for me to shake, he said, “Welcome to our family, Prince Rufus.” I looked at him in shock yet again and he chuckled in response by saying, “I can tell you are a Royal by smell alone. You belonged to the Thunderwhisper kingdom. I’m saddened to say that I wish I had gotten there to save your kingdom, but I am glad to see that there are survivors. Well, let’s not keep my Queen and princess waiting. Let’s go home!” Just like that, I became Lucifera’s protector so that I could be near her.

– End of Flashback –

Anyway, back to what I was doing. I searched for her, then I felt something touch my leg and looked down. There she was! Why aren't her eyes open?! Why isn't she swimming to the surface?! Realization snapped in my brain and I immediately dived down. I was hoping and praying that she was and would be fine. When I reached her, I picked her up bridal style and used my wings to propel us out of the water faster. After we breached the surface, I made my way to the shore. I laid her down and checked to see if she was breathing. I couldn't hear her breathing! I immediately started pressing on her chest and breathing into her. I was so scared that she might die, but I kept trying. I'm not sure how long it took, but finally, she started breathing again and opened her eyes before rolling over to cough up water. I gently placed my hand on her back and gently rubbed it before asking softly, "Are you alright, Lucifera?"