55: Protector

When my eyes snapped open again I was welcomed by the sight of a very angry Philip being restrained by Lucius and Rowan from harming Brise who was defenseless and more dazed than frightened.

Lucius saw me first. He shook Philip and pointed, but to no avail. Philip was consumed by his wrath.

"What's," I said, and all bodies bristled, except Lucius who sagged in relief. "What's going on?"

Their eyes connected with mine. A beat passed.

"Mo?" Rowan murmured tentatively, as if he were unsure if it was actually me.

"Rowan," I replied.

Philip was pale-faced and bewildered. But he took the first step toward me. "Are you Mo, are you actually Mo?"

I scowled. "Who else would I be Philip? What, did I loose my scales?" I raised a hand to touch my face when his arms devoured me in an embrace. His sturdy arms held me in an irons' grip, one that made it very difficult to breathe.

"Philip," I wheezed. "I can't breathe."

His arms fell. He leveled his eyes to mine and only then did I see the tears glistening in his own. "I thought you were gone forever."

"I'm here." I tried a smile.

He gripped me by the arms, looking torn but relieved, destroyed but strung together all at once. "Do you know how scary it is," he heaved, "touching you and not feeling any warmth?"

I do. I took his face in my hands, wiping a stray tear. I downed the air like I'd never breathe again and stared into his dark eyes like I'd never see them again. Who knows what death awaits, but surely it didn't have Philip. "I'm alright. I'm safe. I'm alive."

I turned my gaze to Lucius and Rowan, who both looked about ready to burst into tears. Philip's hands loosened and I stretched out my arms to the two. They attacked me at once and then I'm crying. And I can't help but note how much I've been crying lately. But this was a cry of relief, of utter joy.

"Was I out for long?" I asked as they stepped back.

"A day," Philip answered, looking better, but still keeping his gaze locked on me like he was scared that if he so much as blinked I'd disappear. "A very long day."

"Did I..." I hesitated, because the answer seemed clear. But I asked anyway. "Did I die?"

Silence filled the room as Philip, Rowan and Lucius exchanged glances.

"Why did he let you go?" Brise asked, reminding us that she was present. She stepped towards me, bewilderment etched into her features.

"Are you talking about, Death?"

She flinched but quickly schooled herself. She squeezed her eyes shut and nodded.

"I don't know," I murmured, noting the presence of my pounding heart and heat spreading through me with every beat. "He said something about time not listing me yet and certain things being disrupted. I'm not sure."

"She just woke up," Philip grunted. "Could you hold off your questions."

But Brise ignored him. "Why did you do it? Why did you take my blade?"

I stiffened. "You were—"

"Did you intend to end your own life with it?" She jabbed.

"Ok thats enough," growled Philip.

He grabbed her by the arm but she jerked her arm back and came forward. "I didn't need your help. You could have wasted your life over nothing. Your lucky Death is an idiot enough to let you go."

"Are you angry at me?" I asked.

A fight of emotions took her eyes. "You don't get to die until I'm the first to know."

"Just say you're glad she isn't dead," Rowan muttered.

"You aren't as stone cold as I thought you were," Philip mumbled.

"I don't understand," I blurted. "Should I apologize?"

Brise stormed out without another word.

"She was devastated when she found out you, well died, beacuse of her," Rowan explained.

"Really?" I couldn't believe it. "Because it seemed the opposite."

Rowan considered this. "That could be true. But everyone expresses relief in different ways. And that outburst might have just been one."

My heart melted at the thought. And the tears started up again. "I'm sorry I made you guys worry."

Philip knelt beside my bed and wiped my tears like I did his.

"We're just glad you're alright." Rowan and Lucius stepped out but Philip remained beside me.

"Is there anything you need?" He asked, watching me with an intensity that unnerved me. His large hand interlocked mine securely. In that moment I was hit with a realization, I had found another reason to live.

"I need you," I murmured, "or is that too much to ask for?"

His grip tightened. "Oh I'm too little to be too much." His free hand went to my other hand. And then he was leaning over me, his lips lingering dangerously close to mine. My heart pounded like it needed to get away as my eyes fluttered close.

"I'm scared," I whispered and ducked away.

His hands fell away. I peeled my eyes back, to find that he was now sitting on the edge of my bed regarding me with eyes that spoke a million things.

"I'm scared," I said, "that I've made you too precious to me. So much so that loosing you would destroy me."

His grin appeared slowly. "Does it help to know that I feel the same?"

My heart grew to the size of the moon. "Even scarier."

"Then let's promise each other this." He inched towards me. "I'll be your protector and you'll be mine."

I nodded. "I like that." And this time I'm leaning forward.

But he pushed back, grinning slyly, as he folded his arms over his chest. "A first-rate guard like myself is paid rather handsomely. How shall I be compensated for my services?"

I punched him in the arm.

He winced but his grin remained. "Kisses could cover it."

My cheeks burned. "How many?"

He feigned thinking it through. "Only so many that my lips have memorized every inch of yours and every scale on your body. And even more after that, because once I have I'm certain they'll be the only things I ever want to kiss."

If he had lied his eyes didn't as they were staring at my lips something fierce. He gripped either side of the bed, dwarfing me. But that's as close as he came.

"Prove it," I coaxed.

And then his lips were on mine. Slow and careful at first, learning every inch of my lips. Then wild and ravenous, devouring my lips like a starved beast. A moan escaped me only to be drowned by his. But then he kisses me again and I kiss him back and it's no payment but every bit pleasure. His hand found the small of my back and pulled me closer, like we weren't already close enough. I threw my hands over his shoulders as my fingers found his silky soft hair. And it feels like we won't ever stop until we do.

"You don't know," he heaved, "how long I've wanted to do that."

I couldn't help but tease him. "Well why didn't you do it sooner?"

His eyes darkened. "Because you had become too important to be kissed just because I wanted to kiss you. I needed you to like me back as much as I did you and only then could I kiss you."

A knock at the front door stole away our attention from each other.

Philip bristled. "I think I should hide."

"I think you should."

I stood, leaving Philip in my locked room and made for the front door.

I pulled the door open to find Xon and Hoku. No one said a thing for a moment. They looked like they were staring at a ghost.

"Hello," I greeted. They flinched.

"How is this," Xon muttered, "I felt your heart stop. You're skin was as cold as ice."

"Is this magic?" Hoku said, aghast. "Necromancy, isn't it?"

I scrunched my face. "I don't think I know what that is."

"But you're alright?" Xon said, "You aren't sick or anything?"

"I feel quite alright. Thank you for asking."

They shared horrified glances then returned their gazes to me.

"Cyr was saddened to hear of your passing," Hoku said, reigning in his bewilderment. "He leaves soon. I'm sure he would still want you to accompany him to Ogalsia."

And just like that I'm reminded of my reason to live. And I didn't regret it one bit. I will save my family.

A/n: OK I might've felt a little guilty for depriving yall of Philip and Mo moments (ooooh they need a ship name, Molip/Philmo??) So I decided to give yall this. But don't y'all worry, their relationship is one of the things that drives me to write and I want to read it as much as my readers, so expect more. 💗💗