Page 44 of Restored

“He’s been through a lot; he’s lost his mother, then his sister. He’d do anything for the ones he loves.”

I pause at her words, wondering what it would feel like to be loved like that.

My head swims happily as Archie comes to sit with us. “Ladies,” he greets and drops down in his seat. He’s freshly shaven, and his skin is clear of the gore from the day. Looking at us now, it would be hard to determine we’d been through anything at all.

“You both clean up nice.” His hand finds mine and he places a gentle kiss there. This clean, he looks almost younger, and I grin at his charm.

“I could say the same to you,” Stiny places the most delectable-smelling food in front of Mia and me seconds later.

Archie drops my hand and immediately takes a bite of Mia’s food, earning a slug from her. He closes his eyes and moans. “Stiny, I need at least three bowls of this and a pint, please. And send my utmost compliments to the chef. You’re a lucky man getting to eat like this every day.”

“Don’t I know it,” Stiny chuckles and walks back towards the kitchen.

A moment later, a beautiful dark-haired girl passes our table and sidles up to the bar. Archie spots her immediately, and his eyes follow her. “Ladies, while I value your company,I have been stuck in the woods for weeks. I saw my life flash before my eyes today, and tomorrow is not promised. So, excuse me while I share both my harrowing story and matching scar with the stunning lady at the bar. Thanks again for that, Lay. Oh, and have Stiny send my food over.” He winks.

I feel a pang in my chest at the familiar nickname, thinking of Maddox. “Good luck.” I smile a little sadly after him.

“We will be here when she turns you down,” Mia calls after him. Archie makes an obscene gesture at her with his finger from behind his back as he approaches the brown-eyed beauty, and Mia chuckles next to me.

“You two are like brother and sister.”

“Yeah. Ledger, Archie, and I grew up together. Cam is Archie’s little cousin. He begged his aunt to let him take Cam when he started to come into his powers. He didn’t want him to go through what he went through. She was reluctant but eventually gave in and let Archie sneak him out of Bellehaven. We’ve all been inseparable since we were little. I take it as my job to check Archie’s ego and bring him back down. Women, unfortunately for them, usually eat up every word he says, and the Gods gave him that face to back it up. Could be a dangerous combination.”

“Thank heavens he has you.” We laugh and cheers to that. “Where is Cam anyways?”

“If I had to guess, probably in his room. He’s a little introverted and likes his alone time when he gets it.”

“I completely understand.”

“How are your wounds? I noticed you weren’t limping.”

“Yeah, they are good, I’m fine.” I take a bite of food, looking away from Mia.

“What do you mean you’re fine? Your thigh was shredded?! Did you heal yourself?” She looks at me expectantly.

I pause, chewing thoughtfully. “Yes, I healed myself.” I keep my answer short and hope she will move on.

“Oh, well, that’s great, so you figured out how to make your power work on yourself? What would happen right now if I stabbed you?”

“Maybe don’t do that. I’m still working on it. It was either suffer under Ledger’s horrible nursing care or heal, so I chose the latter.”

“Speak of the devil himself,” Mia exclaims as Ledger drops into the chair Archie was in earlier.

His beard is trimmed, his black hair damp, his shirt rolled up, tanned forearms resting on the table. My face grows warm as I remember what those forearms looked like as he held himself above me.

He doesn’t seem angry anymore.

Averting my eyes, I take a long drink of wine. “Layla was just telling me you were the reason she was able to heal her leg,” Mia says, and I promptly choke on the wine, sending me into a coughing fit. “Are you okay?” Mia pats me on the back.

“Water,” I choke out. “Could you get me some water?”

“I’ll be right back; I hate when it goes down the wrong way.”

When I manage a look at Ledger, he is sitting across from me with a grin, one of his beautiful dimples on display.

“Wipe that look off your face. That is absolutely not what I said. If you tell anyone about what happened in that room, I swear I will feed myself willingly to a Kerolu.”

“Your secret is safe with me.” His grin remains as he watches me squirm under his gaze.

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