Page 66 of Fated for Flames

I needed to get out, and fast.

I strained against the ropes that tied me to the beam, gritting my teeth as the coarse fibers bit into my skin. Blood trickled down my arms, a cruel reminder of my futile struggle. My flesh felt like it was on fire.

“Come on,” I muttered, desperation clawing at my throat. My voice was a raspy whisper in the quiet morning air. “Break.”

But I knew these magical cuffs well. They suppressed all magic, preventing me from using my powers to get out of thismess. They had never budged once during my three months of captivity in that cell under the coven. It was futile.

My breath came in shallow gasps as I battled the rising tide of panic. The realization that I was trapped and powerless sent icy tendrils of fear coiling around my heart. It was like being thrust back into those dark months of torment.

With every passing second, the chill seeped deeper into my bones, a relentless reminder of my nakedness. The frosty wind nipped at every inch of exposed skin and racked my body with tremors.

My mind raced, scrambling for a solution but coming up empty. The cuffs on my wrists effectively silenced any hope of magic.

A low growl rumbled in my throat as frustration bubbled within me. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go. Not when I had finally started to reclaim control over my life.

I was so engrossed in my struggle that I didn’t notice his approach until I heard a gasp.

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest as I lifted my head. Standing at the edge of the amphitheater was Lucien. His gaze raked over me, his eyes wide.

“What the actual fuck,” he cursed, his eyes flicking from me to the magical cuffs on my wrists.

My teeth were chattering so hard I could barely form words.

“Hey, Lucien,” I managed to get out, my voice trembling as much as my body. “Can I call you Luce now? Given the situation, it feels more appropriate,” I said as my body shuddered in the frigid temperature.

With another curse, Lucien stepped forward and tried to pull at the bindings. They held firm, refusing to give. With a loud “fuck,” he removed his jacket and draped it over me. Then he proceeded with an incantation.

The binding unlocked.

I sighed in relief.

Suddenly, there was a thunderous roar, and the ground trembled beneath us.

What the hell?

It was Ryker.

His gaze was icy as he surveyed the scene before him. Without a word, he approached and helped Lucien remove the ropes. My body slumped forward, no longer supported by the taut ropes.

Ryker swiftly caught me before I could hit the ground. He pulled off his sweater and draped it over me before scooping me into his arms and giving Lucien his jacket back. His body heat radiated through his shirt, offering a respite from the chill that had seeped into my bones.

“Where the fuck are you taking her?”

I could hear Lucien’s angered voice in the background.

“I’ll be okay,” I told him.

I think.

Ryker walked away, not saying a word, but I could feel the tension radiating off him.

I didn’t know where he was taking me, but at that moment, I didn’t care. I buried my face in his chest, taking comfort in his warmth and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

There was a long inhale as he bent his head toward me, nudging his nose in the crook of my neck. Then a guttural sound escaped his lips as his arms tightened around me.

Maybe I should have felt like prey, but instead, I just felt…safe.

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