Page 30 of Restored

I find some water and splash it over my face. I sit in silence listening to the small creek and breathing in the morning air.

It is serene and calm and more picturesque than I could have imagined. Even though I am a prisoner, this is the freest I have ever felt. The desire to see more and experience more grows inside of me by the minute.

I pull some wild weeds I remember Maddox feeding to his horse. He said it was their favorite treat.

I bring the weeds back to Apollo and offer them to him. He looks at me suspiciously before turning his head in rejection.

“Alright then,” I grumble, dropping them to the ground. He turns his head, eating my offering where it lies as I walk away. Being disliked by an animal is a strange feeling, sparking determination within me. I will get this hardheaded horse to like me.

Ledger holds out his hand when I’m ready, and I take it, bracing. I am not looking forward to another day on Apollo. My body aches in places I wasn’t even aware possible.

He pulls me up, and I settle in front of him. My back presses up against his front and his arms encircle me again as he grabs the reins.

I squirm at his closeness all too aware of all the places he touches. “Are you alright?” he asks.

“I’m fine,” I reply, scooting forward and effectively silencing him.

We ride for hours until my body is achy, sore, and begging for a break, and then we ride for even longer. Cam struggles to stay awake, nodding off. And Archie keeps shifting in his saddle, proving I’m not alone in my misery.

I don’t dare complain or ask to stop. At some point, I give in and rest back into Ledger, and he takes some of my weight, making the ride more bearable.

When he finally announces we must find camp before the sun sets, I blow out a breath of relief.

We choose to set up camp next to a small stream, luckily not deep enough for anything to be lurking in it.

When we stop, Ledger dismounts, and when I go to follow, I nearly fall flat on my face, one of my legs having gone numb.

Ledger catches me midair and places me down with surprising gentleness.

“Uh, thanks,” I stammer. He walks away without a response.

“You’re welcome, Layla, anytime Layla,” I grumble. I can’t be sure, but I swear I see the ghost of a grin on his face as I pass him.

I limp towards the stream, shaking out my numb legs. Cam fills up his canteen, and I seize the opportunity to finally catch him alone. “Hey,” I say softly, sitting down next to him, unlacing my boots, and wiggling my toes.

“Hey,” he responds, glancing back at me.

“Listen, I, uh, I wanted to apologize for my actions when we first met. It was nothing personal, and I feel horrible about it.” My eyes flicker to his bruised, swollen temple.

“I have to give it to you, you have fast reflexes and hit way harder than I’d expect from a girl your size.”

“Thanks, I suppose.” I grin at him. “That bump looks pretty nasty. Would you let me heal it for you? This time, I won’t knock you unconscious, you have my word.”

“You promise?” he asks hesitantly.

“I promise.”

“Okay, what do I need to do?”

“Just be still, it won’t hurt,” I encourage.

We both turn our bodies to face each other. I lift my hand to his head and the other to where the cut still marks his ribs.

My power flows out of me in a glowing mist. It warms my skin and fills my palms. It coasts over the injuries in a matter of seconds and snaps back inside of me.

Cam touches his temple gingerly as if he is expecting it to hurt. His eyes widen when I assume he doesn’t feel the bump or any pain. He then rips up his shirt revealing his pale skin that is now free of any cuts or scratches.

“You’re so awesome,” Cam says, and I smile softly.

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