I rushed to Peak's side, struggling not to let my legs give out from under me. Although it was night, I could see the thick pool of scarlet forming under his underbelly. I rolled him over with careful paws, trying not to look at the terrible wound, but failing. The sight made my stomach clench. Peak coughed up smoke and gazed at me with glassy eyes. He was in pain, I could see it.
"You're alright..." he whispered in a horse voice. "Thank the stars."
"But you're not," I replied while inspecting the rest of his injuries. "You need to be healed, right now! I'll get Grace, and she'll have you better again in no time."
He nipped my wing gently as I got up to go find help, drawing me back to the ground next to him. "Nix, it's no use." Peak paused to hack up another swirl of smoke. Red spattered against the dirt. "Stay with me...please..."
"Don't act like that!" I snapped. Fear made my voice crack. Tears welled up in my eyes. "You'll make it, you have to! We just need...just need..."
My voice trailed off as our eyes met. Peak had a faint smile in his face as he stared at me. I stared back, seeing the calm acceptance in his gaze. He knew he was dying, and he was ready. But I wasn't. Tears streaked down my cheeks, glittering at the edges of my vision like diamonds.
His breath was warm on my scales as he leaned in closer. "I've never seen you in the moonlight before now," Peak said thoughtfully. "You're beautiful."
"Please," I said, choking back a sob, "don't leave me. I need you...I-I love you."
"I love you, too, Phoenix." He rested his chin on my head. Something wet dripped onto my snout. "Ever since...I first met you, I have. And I always will..."
I leaned into him, feeling the weight of his head against mine. It slowly got heavier, until I was draped over him, still pressing my snout to his. Warm air blew from his nose for the final time, and the last tear slipped from Peak's closed eye. And I was left alone, grief and vengeance warring in my heart...
A scene I've had in my head for a while now, a finally managed to draw! I know, it's sad, but I really like how it turned out.
