Pegasus Boyfriend: Clotaire (special preview)

Clotaire screams and kicks and bucks as if he didn’t hear me. He whines and whimpers, and I realize he’s crying. He’s having a panic attack.

The thorns rip at my ankles and I use my pocket knife to whack through some of the thicker brambles. 

“Clotaire, breathe,” I say to him, trying to keep my voice smooth and even. “Remember what Elan told you. Breathe in through your nose. Breathe out your mouth.”

“Oh fuck, is it you?” Clotaire whines. “You couldn’t save yourself from a wet paper bag!” He laughs, but he still sounds panicked.

“I know. I know. But I’m trying to get you out of the paper bag,” I huff and keep my cool.

Clotaire laughs loudly. “That’s a riot!”

I get close to him. Most of the brambles and vines have been flattened by his struggling and fighting. I kneel down beside him and start hacking away at the brambles. 

“How’d you even get here?” I scoff.

“Slipped,” he grunts. He whines as he looks at the blade. He turns his head away and strains his neck, as if trying to escape.

“Hey, hey, it’s ok.” I whisper and place my hand over his eyes. “You’ll be out of here in a jiffy.” I cut through a snare of vines and he’s able to free his arm. “You slipped. Ok. I just about fell in too.”

Clotaire slaps my hand away and places his palm over his face. “Just hurry up!”

“I’m trying.” I shake my head and use my hand to rip up some brambles from his wing. His wing stretches out and he sighs with relief. “You’re really tangled in. It’s going to take time.”

I notice he’s covered in lots of small cuts and welts. I don’t know how long he’s been stuck here, but it’s obvious he’s been fighting and making it worse on himself. I stroke down his back and his flank.

“It’s ok, Clotaire,” I murmur. I remember what my grandfather used to say to him when he would go into one of his mood swings. “I’ll be here for you, no matter what.”

Clotaire snarls in frustration and lays limp on the ground. “You’re so fucking annoying.”

“I know. But at least I’m here.” I look at him, our eyes meeting. He always had the most beautiful eyes, deep violet like the peaks of mountains at sunset. 

I finally get him free and to standing. His wings are still tangled and filled with briars and it’ll take some work to get them out. He’s hurt, so I help him walk around the thicket and get out of the woods.