Page 27 of Restored

“Oh shit.” Archie must see us in a heap because he dismounts his horse and is over us in the next second. He lifts Ledger’s body so I can slide out from beneath him.

Mia comes up, helping Archie get him in a sitting position. “Ledger,” Mia calls his name, her hands going to his face, slapping across the cheek.

I gulp in air, trying to quell my swelling emotions. My arm and leg quiver with the pain of my freshly blistered skin.

With Mia and Archie distracted, I jump up and limp in the opposite direction in hopes of seeing Maddox and the guards in pursuit of us. My lungs burn with exertion as I pump my arms and legs.

Maddox. I’ve got to get to Maddox.

“Godsdammit!” Archie charges after me.

My legs ache as I push them faster. My back spikes with awareness as Archie chases after me. He’s fast, running in long strides, and it isn’t long before he barrels into me.

We collide onto the wet earth, grunting at the impact. He wrestles me to the ground as I throw unsuccessful punches, eventually pinning my arms to my sides. I let out a defeated sob as warm tears flow down my cheeks.

“I’m sorry, Layla, I’m fucking sorry.” His chest heaves as he tries to catch his breath. “I’m begging you, please help him. I know it’s the last thing you want to do but if youdon’t, he will die.” He looks over to where Mia is frantically trying to wake Ledger.

“Maybe death is what he deserves.” I spit the words, fighting to see past my anger.

“Please, we can’t lose him.” The anguish in his words matches how I feel, and as much as I want to leave him to bleed out, I know I can’t. My father always spoke of the sacred power bestowed upon us and the deep responsibility that comes with it. It didn’t matter that he’d ripped me away from my life or that leaving him to die could be my chance at freedom. I would not allow his blood to be on my hands.

I struggle against Archie’s grip before the fight leaves my body. “I will help him, and I will heal whoever it is that he requests of me under the condition that you return me to Bellehaven after it is done.” I rip my wrists from Archie’s grip the second I feel it loosen.

“I will take you back myself if that is what you want.” Archie winces at the promise.

Mia is still pleading with Ledger to wake up as I approach running a sleeve over my tear-streaked face.

Fury explodes in my gut, fast and acute, as Ledger’s eyes blink open. I think of Maddox sailing through the air and am unable to tame my rage as I stumble over to them.

Ledger sits slumped on the forest floor, the soil damp with his blood. Three arrows protrude from his back, and I waste no time grabbing ahold of one of them and yanking.

A choking gasp leaves him as he pitches forward onto his hands. I reach for the next one before he can recover and yank it out with a sickening squelch. Blood pours from the wounds.

He wheezes, falling to the side and holding up his hand, trying to keep me at bay, but I don’t stop. My power thrashes against my skin, and I contest it.

His sticky hand weakly pushes at me as I fist the last arrow. I yank it out roughly. My power laces through my veins and I struggle to ignore it.

“Fuck,” he groans as his hands fist in the dirt, and he gasps for air.

“Remind me never to get on her bad side,” Archie exclaims. He and Mia are looking at each other with their mouths ajar like they can’t decide if they should intervene or not.

I swallow thickly before kneeling next to Ledger. I reluctantly let my power lose, and it whips out of my palms, wrapping around his bleeding body.

Guilt rocks into me as I gain control of myself. Ledger calms almost instantly, his body relaxing into the mist.

His skin knits together, and the burns on his arm smooth out. He fights to control his breathing as he pushes himself up to kneeling. His eyes drift shut as my power caresses his body, checking for any other injuries. His breath shudders out.

I frown when my power clings to him briefly before retreating into me.

I take a moment to brush my fingers over his closed wounds. Gods, what is it with this man? Everything about him is opposing. His features are severe but captivating. His very presence is alluring yet callous. It’s a maddening, lethal mix.

I wonder for the first time who this person is he loves enough to capture me. Was it a lover?

Mia and Archie give each other a look before their eyes fall on Ledger. “Are you okay?” Archie asks, and Ledger nods his head, his body taut.

“Give us a minute,” he croaks. They consider me with a weary look. I avert my eyes and try to ignore the way my cheeks heat in shame.

“We will be right over here,” Mia calls as they walk away.

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