#Chapter 5 I would do anything for you
Daphne's POV
"Ohh! This is nothing. I’ve experienced much worse. Don't worry." Arthur hushed me and nuzzled my head, “You are only human. You wouldn’t be able to keep up. And you are my mate. It’s my duty to protect you. ”
“I told you I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I shook my head, “You must be mistaken.”
“I would do anything for you.” It seemed like he didn't hear or care what I just said.
Suddenly, his gaze darted around then he turned to look back. His shoulders were tense and I felt his apprehension. The wolves weren’t right behind us, but it would only be a matter of time.
"Daphne, We should really get going. "
“I-I have to heal you first.”
“What do you mean?”
I walked around him and kneeled beside his leg. He turned his head to watch me as I swiped my fingers across the open gash on my arm and smeared my blood in the wound on his leg. The flesh and fur sparkled as it began to close.
He gasped, “Is… Is this how you treated me before?... Are you really human?”
“I am!” I said defensively. “I’m not a witch!”
Arthur shook his head and smile widely, “I didn’t think you were… you must be a very special human.”
I worried my lip, watching the wound close completely. Arthur wiggled his leg with an impressed huff.
“Promise me that you won’t tell anyone,” I said, my heart hammering with fear. “I--”
“I promise,” he said easily, sitting on his haunches and looking at me. “Could you promise me something in exchange?”
I eyed him, “Like what?”
“Only treat me this way when it’s necessary. I… don’t want you to use your blood to treat others.”
I was shocked at the request. I wanted to respond, but Arthur was on his feet again, glaring into the woods behind us.
“Quick!” He kneeled and nudged me onto his back before rushing forward.
The werewolves had found us.
“Where are we going?”
“Towards water,” Arthur said, turning sharply and picking up speed.
I held on tightly and wished I could feel how far they were or hear them, but I could only rely on the feeling of urgency from Arthur easing and slowly being replaced with hope.
It seemed we were getting farther away from the wolves, and I began to hear the sound of rushing water. Arthur broke through the trees and skidded to a stop at the bank. I followed the current and felt the moment Arthur’s hope turned to despair: the river led to a waterfall that was several dozen meters high.
I never would have guessed that my little piece of the forest was a piece of highland, practically isolated from the vast forest below the cliff.
“A-Arthur? What do we do now?”
He turned with a growl as I heard the wolves approaching us.
“Get behind me,” he said gruffly. I slid off his back and let him step forward to face the group of wolves.
One of them leaped forward and Arthur met it with a ferocious swipe of his paw as others approached me. One leaped towards me. Arthur jumped between us, taking the blow and trading one of his own.
The other wolves rushed at me, and Arthur blocked them with his body, gaining another injury.
“Arthur, just leave me and escape!” I cried as Arthur threw a wolf down with a sharp crack of its neck and stumbled.
At this rate, we’d both end up dead.
“I won’t let you touch her!”
Why was he being so valiant? It would be easier to be upset with all the misfortune he’d brought if he wasn’t.
I wiped my tears and looked around. I didn't want to die, and I didn't want Arthur to die either. The water moved swiftly towards the roaring fall. Getting across would be the best bet, but the next best thing would be to go over the edge.
A tree trunk wavered on the riverbank upstream, and I gasped with hope. It was a stretch, but it was better than certain death at the hands of the werewolves. I rushed toward the trunk and waded into the water to haul it close. I ripped the hem of my skirt in a long strip until the skirt was barely a fourth of its original length.
I tied one end of it to my arm and wrapped some of it around the trunk of the tree as the river began to pull it away from me.
“Arthur, this way!”
He shoved an attacking wolf back, throwing its body on its comrades before running towards me.
“Your arm!”
He offered it though he looked confused as I tied the other end of the cloth to his arm.
“What are you doing?”
I met his gaze, “Do you trust me?”
He nodded without hesitation.
“Then, let’s die together.”
“With you? Without regret.”
Arthur’s lips twitched and he laughed, impressed and I found myself smiling a bit. I had to be crazy, but it seemed he was crazy too. It was a wonderful madness that would take us right over the edge of this cliff.
My heart fluttered at the resolution in his voice. Together, we pushed the trunk further into the current. It took hold quickly, pulling us sharply into deeper, colder water.
Then, we plunged into endless darkness and silence.