Page 72 of Devotion

“Sure. Always someone who isn’t happy. The guards are pretty good at squashing them before they get too far, but there are some sneaky sorts out here, trying to stay off the radar.”

“What are they trying to do?”

“They help people around the checkpoints, letting criminals escape. They disrupt important trade. Generally get in the way of honest folks.”

I’ve never even heard of such a thing. I would have thought news of rebel groups would have gotten back to the palace, but I haven’t heard a single thing, not even in council meetings. “But they don’t go after innocent travelers?”

“The rebels don’t, no. Not regularly. Don’t think you need to worry too much. Like I said, no one is gonna catch us in this motor.”

I smile at him and drop the question, but I’m still nervous out here. I’ve lived my whole life behind city walls. I’ve lived the past year in the closely guarded fortress of the palace. I’m not used to being exposed. Vulnerable.

I’m convinced I would have dealt with my nerves without any trouble had the motor not broken down only thirty minutes to the walls of the Capital. There’s a weird grating sound from the engine. It jerks several times, then sputters and slows down as Carl pulls to the side of the road.

He tells me not to worry. That it happens occasionally and he can fix it.

But I’m absolutely terrified sitting by myself in the dark of a countryside filled with murderers, bandits, and rebels.

If it’s not moving, this motor isn’t going to keep me safe.

I’m trembling helplessly as Carl putters in the engine for what feels like forever. Then he finally resigns himself to not being able to fix it himself and radios his headquarters so someone else can drive out to pick us up and take us into the city.

We wait for another very long stretch of time before the other motor arrives. I’m so shaky at that point that I can barely climb out of one vehicle and walk over to the fresh one.

The second driver is just as laid-back and friendly as Carl, but I’m beyond small talk now.

I need to get behind walls. I need to get home.

I need Gabriel, and he feels so far away.

We’ve encountered not even a glimpse of dangers or other travelers this whole time, but I’m still a shaky mess when I finally see the big walls and the one tall tower of the Capital in the distance. When we arrive at the east gate, it takes a long time to get through yet another checkpoint.

When we finally make it through, a guard motions the driver to pull over in a paved lot near the guard station.

Surely we’re not going to have to go through another inspection. I’m hours late now. Gabriel might be worried. I desperately need to get back to him.

I have no idea what’s happening until I see a man talking to a couple of guards outside the entrance to the station. His back is to me, but I’d know that back anywhere. The broad shoulders. The lean hips. The long legs. The hair pulled back at the nape of his neck.

When the driver puts the motor into park, I fumble with the door, whimpering in my desperation to get out so I can reach him.

He turns around as I stumble out onto the pavement.

He strides over quickly as I run toward him and pulls me into a tight hug when I throw myself into his arms, hiding my face in his chest.

He’s holding me so tightly I can barely breathe. When he finally releases me, he mumbles, “What happened, baby? Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m not hurt. The motor broke down, and it took forever for someone to come get us. And I was… I was…” I bury my face in his shirt again, embarrassed by my weakness and overwhelmed with relief to be safe again.

Safe and secure and with Gabriel.

“You were what?” He gently eases me back and tilts my face up toward his. “Tell me.”

My face crumples. “I was scared,” I admit, my shoulders shaking with a few silent sobs. “I was really scared.”

His expression breaks just briefly. “Oh baby. You’re safe now.” He pulls me back into a hug.

I cling to him for a long time until it feels like I’m myself again. Then I can finally straighten up and ask, “What are you doing here?”

“I knew something was wrong. You weren’t back when you were supposed to be. I waited for a while, but then I got worried, so I came out here to see if the guards had heard anything. They hadn’t. I was about to get them to go search for you when you arrived.”

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