Page 43 of Run of Ruin

“Yeah, exactly,” I said quietly.

“It was a good plan, I’m glad it worked,” she offered, and there was something in her tone that made me feel like she genuinely admired me, and I wasn’t used to that. I felt my chest puff out a little in pride.

“Told you the kind of muscles you need to survive these trialsaren’t all right here,” I teased, giving her a playful nudge on the upper arm.

The moment my hand touched her arm, I felt the subtle shift in her body, a tiny catch in her breath that made something deep inside me stir. Her eyes flicked to mine, and for a moment, I could see the way her pulse quickened ever so slightly, the softening of her features. She inhaled softly, and the sound did something to my insides, making it impossible to ignore the way my heart started to race.

“I’m glad you’re safe” I said, my voice suddenly thick with something I couldn’t quite name.

She gave me a look, one that sent a shiver down my spine. “I’m glad you found me.”

“Me too,” I whispered in return. Our faces were close enough that I could feel her cool breath on my lips. My eyes flicked down to her lips, then back to her eyes to find she was studying me too, breath shallow.

I sat back then, needing a little space before I did something stupid, like kiss her. I leaned back, watching the fire dance in front of us, its flames reaching for the sky. Her gaze followed the movement, and soon we were both silently mesmerized by the flickering light. Without realizing it at first, I began to hum softly, a gentle sound escaping my lips. The hum turned into words, and before I knew it, I was singing quietly into the night.

“I walk the path where the wild things grow,

Where the pine trees whisper and the rivers flow,

With each step, I feel the earth beneath my feet,

In the woods, I find my heart's steady beat.”

I felt her eyes on me, but the spirit of the song had taken over. I couldn’t stop, not now that the words were flowing freely.

“In the woods I am, and the woods areme,

A part of the leaves and the sky so free.

The wind in my hair, the sun on my skin,

In the woods I’m where wild things begin.”

The last note lingered in the air, and for a moment, silence fell between us. The crackling of the fire was the only sound.

“That was beautiful,” she whispered, her voice soft and sincere. I looked over at her, finding her leaning forward, her arms resting on her knees as she watched me. “What is that song?”

“Something my Pa taught me, once upon a time,” I replied, my voice quiet but steady.

She nodded slowly, her gaze thoughtful. “I haven’t heard music in…” she paused, trying to find the words. “I don’t even know how long. Well, aside from the Praxis anthem.”

I nodded in return, understanding.

“Darkbranch hasn’t placed in the entertainment trial in a long time either,” I added, trying not to let the weight of that truth show on my features. “It’s been a while since we’ve had music there too.”

She shook her head, her grip on my hand tightening. Her face leaned closer to mine, the warmth of her breath mingling with the cool night air. “Youarethe music, Briar.”

My chest tightened, the words stirring something deep inside me. I felt the sting in my eyes, the threat of tears lingering just beneath the surface.

She saw it. “Do you have anyone waiting for you back in Darkbranch?” she asked gently, her voice a soft whisper in the quiet.

I shook my head. “Thorne’s all I got left… You?”

“I have Jax,” she replied. “And Ava.” My chest tightened with a sad sort of jealousy.

“Your partner?” I asked, trying to keep my voice even. I had assumed there was something between her and Ezra,anyone could see the way they looked at each other at the Welcome Ball, but I guess a selfish part of me had hoped there was room for me.

“Best friend,” she replied, with the slightest bit of a knowing smirk. I grinned, unable to resist the pull between us. I leaned toward her slightly, keeping my gaze on her, watching the firelight flicker in her eyes.

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