Page 18 of Ruin

“Yeah, you needn't think you’re ditching me, either,” said Blue, with a small smile. She looked better now but there were dark shadows under her eyes. My friend was totally human, and I kicked myself for not thinking about her more. The rest of us could keep going on much less rest than Blue.

I smirked. “I wouldn’t dare.”

“You’re such a liar.” But she smiled and blew me a kiss.

“Well, I’m coming too, runt.”

I leaned back on my elbows and stretched my legs out in front. It didn’t feel right just leaving Owen and the others, but I couldn’t wait for Drake and his back up. Something inside me urged me to return to the prison. I’d go immediately, if I thought we all had enough energy to fight.

“Fine. We all go together. We’re a team now.” I glanced at B’nar. “All of us.” And I meant it. B’nar didn’t have to help me, nor did he have to let Blue be by my side. After all, by faerie law she was his. The Prince inhaled and his spine straightened a bit. It made me wonder if he’d ever been part of a team, or always on the outside looking in. It struck me then that his life might not be all pretty icicles and snowflakes. His father was the High King and he was the heir to all that responsibility. That must be hard on him. I gave him a small smile, surprised when he returned it. I glanced at Blue, but she didn’t notice, she was too busy staring at B’nar’s uptilted mouth.

I hid my grin. “Let’s get a few hours rest, then we’ll sneak out.”

“Fine. Can we leave from here?” Shannon’s gaze met mine, her mouth in a tight line. “Owen, and definitely Stone, will have my ass if I defy them.”

“You don’t need to come, Shannon, not if it will get you into trouble with them…”

“I’m coming,” she interrupted, making a dismissive gesture. “Stone will forgive me…eventually. So that means Owen will too. Besides, I owe Connor. He helped me in that prison, even when I was a bitch to him. And we both know he didn’t need to.” She got up and brushed off her jeans. “I’ll be back soon with food. We’ll eat before we go. Who knows when our next meal will be.”

I inhaled through my nose, trying not to think about the ways she paid him back for his help.

Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t go there, runt. It meant nothing to him, and you know it.”

I closed my eyes. Knowing she was right didn’t make it easier to stomach.

“See you soon,” she said quietly before leaving us.

B’nar stared at Blue who had laid down as close to me as she could get without cooking. Two lines appeared on the bridge of his nose. “Human, come here.”

Blue’s mouth flattened into a stubborn line. “Not bloody likely.”

“It is not your choice. Come.” He hooked his finger at her and beckoned her.

Blue’s nostrils flared and she met my gaze, fury burning in her eyes before she sighed heavily. “Fine.” She pushed herself onto her knees. “What?”

B’nar ignored her and shucked his heavy armoured jacket off, followed by his shirt. Even I had to admire his naked chest. He was a beautiful male specimen, leaner than Connor, but the dips and ridges of muscle did not sport any extra fat. His skin was pale and almost translucent, not blue like his father’s. Blue swallowed, hard. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for my poor friend. Being attracted to her captor must be a special kind of Hell.

“Lay down here.” B’nar patted the thin mattress of his clothes. Blue kept her face devoid of expression as she did as he said. B’nar looked almost surprised by her compliance. When my friend had settled stiffly right next to him, B’nar touched the edge of his jacket. It sparkled. Magic covering it.

Blue gasped. “It’s warm.”

I blinked. So B’nar could do fancy things with his magic.

“It’s supposed to be. My magic will keep my body heat, such as it is, sealed in my clothes and stop the cold seeping into you. Now sleep. You need to rest.” Blue watched his face for a moment. He held her gaze. I swallowed hard, the energy between them was off the charts. B’nar raised his brows. “Sleep, human. You will not get cold.” Blue closed her eyes, squeezing them shut when B’nar laid down next her and pulled her into his big body. She gasped, but he didn’t let her go. “I will keep you warm.” And he closed his eyes, keeping her locked in his arms.

I swallowed a lump in my throat. I had a feeling my friend had no idea how deep the prince’s feelings for her ran. At least, it looked like they did. I sighed, hoping they would both realise it soon. It was easier to close my burning eyes than watch them locked so closely together. I missed Connor so much. After that first time I’d thought him dead, I didn’t think my heart could hurt or break ever again. Then he put the pieces of me back together, only now he was gone again. I had to hold onto the hope that he was still alive, or I would shatter. He was the glue that held me together and without him I would always be broken. It had been too long since I had felt his warmth seep into me, or the touch of his lips on mine… My wolves both whined, the tear that escaped my eye, turning to steam on my cheek.

Shannon returned a few hours later. I hadn’t really slept, too impatient to get back to the prison, but at least Blue looked more rested—and really confused by waking in B’nars arms. She seemed too shocked to move for a while, and just stared at his face. As if feeling her attention, his eyelids opened, his pale green eyes glowing as he registered her attention. Blue flushed, and shuffled away from him, not meeting his eyes again.

I looked away, their feelings for each other were none of my business, and I needed to save my energy for finding my own soulmate; not worry about them working things out. Could a human even be a match for the second most powerful fae in Faerie?

“Here.” Shannon passed out some energy bars and cans of diet cola.

Alex took a huge swallow. “Gods, that’s so good.”

Shannon grinned. “Yeah, thank the guards’ kitchen for that. It was one of the first places we found when we raided the prison.”

Lionel stretched out his big body, unfurling in a smooth, predatory move. “Yep, it was worth the battle to get in there—and the laundry; that was important. Got all sorts of clothes and blankets from there before we couldn’t carry anymore between us.”

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