Page 128 of His Atonement

Gods, this must be what it feels like to have one’s soul entirely, to finally become a complete being, all parts accounted for.

And once again I was born, reborn more accurately, in The Desolate Plane.

But as my eyes flutter open I realize I am no longer in The Desolate Plane.

No, I'm staring up at shadows caused by torch light as they dance against stone walls. Stone walls covered by enormous wood carvings of mighty dragons.

Fuck.

I'm home.

I roll to my side, cough out another mouthful of blood, less this time which means I'm starting to heal a little, then fight to get my eyes to adjust.

I see the rest of my clothes.

My empty liquor bottles.

The discarded hotdog bowl and gold lighter.

And Colt in his human form, naked and unconscious on the ground across from me.

Fuck.

I use what little strength I have and crawl toward him, push up on my elbow and check his pulse.

It is steady against his throat, so I do what anyone would in my position.

I slap him across the face until he wakes up.

“Wolf."Slap. “Brother."Slap. “Colt!”

His hand flies to my wrist and grips tightly before I can deliver another crack to his cheek. "What the fuck… Zan?"

I grin down at him. "Had you not awoken, I fear I would have had to give you the kiss of life."

"I'd rather die."

"I am deeply offended.” I wince and cringe as I force myself to sitting. "I am an outstanding kisser."

Colt rolls his eyes and sits as well. "What the hell happened?" He rubs the back of his head as he scans me head to toe. "You look like shit."

“Thanks," I deadpan. "But even victory has its price."

A genuine and relatively foreign smile splits his face. "You won?"

I nod. "Did you expect anything less?"

"After seeing that Ancient fuck, yeah I did. I figured he'd squash you as soon as you got in the ring with him."

"Your confidence in me is touching.” I hold the horns from Thologar's head between us. "I had no other choice but to be victorious."

Colt takes one horn from my hand, looks it over before he takes the other. "You kill him with these?"

I nod.

"Nice."

"It was one of the greatest moments of my life.” I sigh, pushing a little harder on the hole in my gut. "Now if you will excuse me, I'd like to be alone with my mate so that I may tell her of my triumph before I—" I look to the place in front of the altar where I left my darling girl then shoot to my feet. "Where is she?"