Page 32 of Restored

I take a few deep breaths trying to quell the burning anger that flares in my chest.

“Was your father a healer like you?” Ledger walks over to me as I tug my boots back on.

I pause looking up at him. Once again, he’s weaving flowers together with his fingers. “He was, he’d heal the powerful and powerless alike. He’d never deny anyone. He evaded the king for a long time until he was caught. Sandor implored him to join his ranks but my father spit at his feet. He believed that if one was gifted a power it belonged to them alone and should not be wielded by another.” I stand brushing myself off.

“Sounds like he was a wise man.” Ledger’s eyes linger on me thoughtfully before he crouches placing the loop of flowers into the stream and watching as they float away.

“He was.”

It starts to rain as the sun is snuffed out. Ledger uses his powers to thicken the tree branches above us to create somewhat of a barrier. We huddle beneath the tree as it continues to pour.

I lay on my side on the spongy moss-coated ground. I allow my mind to wander, conjuring Maddox’s familiar face, his crooked, self-assured smile. I rub at the center of my chest, missing him fiercely.

I can’t help but feel like I am betraying him the closer we get to Westray. I know he is worrying about me, thinking the worst.

I think of how he fought for me twice now.

My mind snags on how he’d kissed me and the confession of his feelings that followed. What would have happened if I had given in and ignored the report? Would I be wrapped safely in his arms tonight instead of shivering in the cold?

I worry about what had become of my mother in my absence. Would the King allow her to stay in the castle until my return? Would he dump her in the slums to fend for herself? Or worse. Would he allow Tamish to inflict his power upon her? Would he inflict his own pain as he did to Archie? The thoughts make me sick.

I could not go back to Bellehaven now; I made a deal, and I would follow through.

I toss and turn, finally landing on my side, peering over at Ledger, who is lying on his back a foot from me.

The moonlight highlights his sharp jawline, straight nose, and long black lashes as he blinks. My stomach flips as he turns to his side, letting his eyes roam my face.

They burn a path over my skin, and it is an effort to not squirm as they continue their perusal. His deep green eyes find mine, and we stare at each other as raindrops cascade off our skin from the leaves above.

I shiver, and Ledger moves closer to me. My skin pebbles in the cool night air. I can tell he wants to reach for me but stays perfectly still.

As the night drags on, I long for my cozy bed. Would sell my soul for warm fur. My clothes cling to my skin as the rain persists, making my teeth chatter.

I beg for sleep to take me but even Ledger’s tepid body so close provides little reprieve.

I jolt as a sharp howl cuts through the thick air of the night. Tensing, my ears strain as another piercing howl follows. I plaster myself against Ledger, my hands fumbling for the dagger in his belt.

His large hand finds mine, stopping my exploration. “I don’t think now is the place or time, blondie.”

I elbow him roughly in the ribs, freeing my hands. “Something is howling out there!” My whisper is somewhat hysterical. “Give me a weapon,” I demand.

“Not a chance.” Another howl penetrates the night, and Ledger’s hand moves steadily over my stomach until it lands on my hip. He pulls me closer to him while he sits up, searching the woods.

“What in the hell is that?” I whisper again, clawing at Ledger’s hand. Archie wakes, looking to Ledger for direction.

“We are in the woods; there are creatures everywhere. That’s a dire wolf; they are looking for something larger than a human to eat. Typically, if you leave them alone, they will leave you alone.”

“Larger than a human? How big are these things?!” My heart is a wild chorus in my chest.

“Layla.” He forces my face away from the woods. “I will not allow anything to happen to you. You are far too valuable. You will make it to my kingdom unharmed, I swear it.” He nods over to Archie and they both lay back down.

I sit up, my ears straining to hear any further howls or footfalls. “As reassuring as that is, I’d still like a weapon.”

“Not going to happen,” Ledger grunts as his hand shoots up and pushes me back down to the springy moss. “Sleep,” he demands.

“Fine, but I am staying as close to that dagger as possible,” I mumble as I roll onto my side, my back to Ledger, and scoot myself closer to him.

I stare into the shadowed misty forest fisting the moss beneath me in an attempt to quell my pounding heart. I picture a horrific beast bounding from the trees and tearing my flesh apart as I flail around in its mouth, unarmed.

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