Page 43 of Restored

There is a thick silence in the room as we both collect ourselves. I keep my eyes firmly on the ground. I can feel Ledger’s presence everywhere, the scent of cedar and leather clogging my senses.

“Layla.” My name on his lips sounds tortured. “You must understand. I refuse to take any more from you than what I have already demanded.”

“I’d like to get dressed.” I feel too exposed, too vulnerable, and if he didn’t give me space, I knew I would bolt, tiny silk robe and all.

He pauses for a pregnant moment before nodding and walking into the bathroom. The door shuts with a click.

A man has never made me feel even half of what I’d felt in those minutes. The worst part was he’d barely touched me, hadn’t even kissed me. I was grateful he’d stopped it. Ishouldhave stopped it myself.

My face falls into my hands, and I groan. “Get a grip, Layla.”

I look at my stomach again, no bruising to be seen. I did that; I used my powers on myself. I get a glimpse of my thigh and marvel at the freshly healed skin. Just moments ago, it was an open, jagged wound. I stand up, testing it and moving my leg around, not a twinge of pain. This is something so foreign, something I was sure was not possible. I wonder if I can do it again.

I hear Ledger shuffling in the bathroom, and yank on the clothes he brought up. They are simple: some undergarments, a pair of britches, and a black top, both big, but I am grateful, nonetheless.

I’m pulling on my boots when Mia walks through the wall into our room. She looks gorgeous, her brown skin and black hair now clean and luminous.

“Hey, I thought I’d check on you two. Make sure you haven’t put that dagger Ledger gave you to use on him yet.”

“You can walk through walls?!” It hadn’t occurred to me; I had not seen Mia’s powers in action yet.

“Walls, doors, trees, an array of objects, really.” She shrugs, walking in further. “Where’s Ledger?”

“He’s in the bathroom.”

She raises her eyebrow, and a sly grin comes over her full lips. “Shall we go get some wine?”

“Please.” I nearly jump off the bed at the offer.

“First, let me fix your hair, what in the Gods’ name were you doing after your bath?”

A blush breaks out on my face, and I try to hide it from her as she fixes strands of my hair.

“Oh, girl, I totally get it. Where do you think I’ve been for the past hour? Travel gets long; I’d be a crazy person if I didn’t take care of my needs occasionally.” She gives me a wink, and I smile awkwardly back.

Miaand I shimmy up the mahogany bar. The floor is sticky, and the air smells faintly of stale beer. Stiny is behind it serving other patrons, his bold laugh filling the air as he produces frothy pints. “Ladies,” he greets as he saddles up to us. “What can I get you?”

“Two glasses of wine, please, kind sir,” Mia answers.

“Coming right up.” Stiny fishes out two thick-rimmed glasses and fills them with a deep red liquid. “Why don’t you take these to a table, and I’ll bring you out our special, roasted boar and leeks.” He winks at us.

“Sure thing, Stin.” Mia grabs our glasses, and we move to a table. I barely swallow a sip of the rich liquid before Ledger comes storming down the stairs. His eyes are wild as he scans the inn.

When they fall on us, I see something akin to relief flicker across his features, before being replaced by anger. He thunders towards us, his hair still wet and dripping. I dare a side glance at Mia and see her rolling her eyes.

“Why did you leave the room? It isn’t safe for you to be down here without me. You have no idea of the kind of people that frequent these places.” He braces his hands on the table.

“I wasn’t aware you wanted to be in control of my every move. Unfortunately for you, I am not a dog and cannot simply be told what to do and when to do it. If you didn’t want me to leave the room, you should have used those vines you like so much.” I can feel anger licking at my skin as I grate out the words.

“Oh, don’t tempt me, blondie. The night is still young.” His eyebrow raises in challenge and my palm itches to smack him.

“Ledger, get your hands off the table and calm down. I came into the room and got her. Now, go back upstairs and dry yourself, you’re dripping on me.” Mia flicks a water droplet off her arm. “I’ll have Stiny get you a whisky and some boar.”

His eyes leave mine for a second to briefly look at Mia. “Do not let her out of your sight.” With that, he pushes off the table and marches back upstairs.

“Don’t let him get to you. He’s rough around the edges, but underneath all of that, he’s an honorable, good man.”

I snort as we both take long pulls of our wine. It is rich, heady, fruity, and just what I need after this nightmare of a day.

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