Page 49 of Restored

Anders rushes me, his stubby hands grasping onto the thin material of my tunic. The fabric rips as I push away from him, and the cold air assaults my bare skin. My undergarment is exposed along with my stomach.

He dives for me again, and I send my knuckles at his face. They make contact, and he grabs at his nose, crimson seeping through his fingers.

I turn, sprinting towards the exit. I feel the warmth of the sun, can taste my freedom as I reach the open doors.

Pain erupts beneath my skin; a weak scream tears from my throat before being stolen by utter agony. My body crumples to the ground, contorting and seizing. My ears ring.

Forde appears above me, smiling. His hand is raised, and his fingers dance as pain radiates through me.

The only thing I can think about is how many creatures had to go through this agony. How many creatures had this cruel ending, Forde’s malevolent face being the last thing they ever saw.

Anders comes into view. His expression is that of pure wrath as scarlet stains his face and hands. Terror grips me as he clutches onto my legs, wrapping the rough rope around my ankles.

I writhe on the ground as Forde drags me by the rope back into the gods forsaken stable, a look of sick satisfaction breaking out on his face. I struggle to breathe, gasping for air, and try to find room in my lungs around the blinding pain.

A dull thud draws my attention as Anders drops limply to the ground. He fingers a dagger that is now embedded deep into his neck. His eyes go wide, ruby-red blood leaking out onto his pale skin. A strained choking noise escapes his mouth before his eyes go blank.

The pain in my body mercifully ceases, and my limbs twitch with the aftershocks. I lay listlessly on the ground, covered in a damp sweat.

Ledger steps into view, and a gray smoke pours from his hands. Vines hold Forde in place as his neck muscles bulge, fighting against Ledger’s siphoning power as he pushes it down his throat. The air vibrates as I push myself up onto weak arms.

Forde sloppily throws daggers at Ledger, all of which he easily sidesteps. Fury laces his features, and though it’s not directed at me, I can’t stop the bolt of fear that tingles through me.

One of the daggers Forde throws glints in the sun a few feet away, stealing my attention. I realize it’s mine, and I drag myself over to it, only able to breathe once the hilt is clasped in my trembling hand. I slice at the thick rope encasing my ankles until it drops away.

Forde’s face turns a light shade of purple and spit drips down his chin as he struggles. Ledger descends on him, his vines snaking back into the ground. He slams his fist into Forde’s face, knocking him back a few feet. He follows it with another blow to Forde’s stomach that sends the air wheezing out of him.

Forde sways, a sickening crunch filling the air as Ledger’s fist connects with his nose. He falls backward onto the ground, and Ledger wastes no time straddling him. He punches him again and again until Forde’s face is a bloodied mess, the ground beneath him wet and tinged red.

The nauseating realization hits me that if he doesn’t stop soon, he will no doubt kill him. “Ledger.” My voice is weaker than I’d like. It takes him a moment, but his eyes eventually snap to me. They are crazed and distant, and I barely recognize him.

It looks like it takes him considerable effort to unclench his fists.

“The only reason you are not dead is out of respect for Stiny. Make no mistake, if you ever come near her again, I won’t hesitate to make your death slow and painful. This is your one pass.”

In one fluid motion, Ledger’s dagger pierces through Forde’s palm. The blade goes straight through, sinking deep into the earth. A strangled noise escapes him, and Ledger stands, going to me without looking back.

Forde lets out a garbled laugh. “You’ll pay for that one, Ledger. I hope she is worth it.” I frown at his words as Ledger approaches me, undoing his cloak and wrapping it around my exposed skin.

There is a slight tremor in his hands as his arm snakes around me, steadying me as he turns and leads us back to the inn.

He is patient, walking slowly, taking most of my weight. His power pulses off him in violent waves, making the hair on my arms stand on end.

I lean into him, soaking up his warmth, breathing him in, and letting his presence calm my rapid heart. “What the fuck were youthinking,Layla? You were supposed to stay in the room.”

“Don’t you think I know that, Ledger? Did you really have to bind me to the bed? I thought after last night we had formed some sort of trust between us.”

“It’s not about trust; it is about keeping you safe. I did it because you don’t seem to have a semblance of regard foryourself, and when left to your own devices, you end up in situations like this.”

His words shock me, and I struggle for a response. “I didn’t know—wasn’t aware of the danger.” I stumble over my words. “King Sandor put out a reward for my return.” Ledger curses under his breath.

Archie is quietly shutting the door to a room, disheveled and half-dressed when we pass him. He gives us a double take. “What in the hell happened? The sun has barely risen, and you two look like this?!”

“Forde happened. He was trying to take Layla back to Bellehaven to claim the reward King Sandor is offering for her return,” Ledger says through clenched teeth. “Get the horses ready, we have to leave now.”

“Jesus, I’m on it. Make sure she’s okay.” He nods towards me, and I look away, humiliated.

When we get to the room, Ledger sits me gently on the bed. I grip his cloak and my dagger like they are lifelines. I stare at my white knuckles, not ready to meet his eyes.

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