Page 86 of Restored

“You have taken her unlawfully. You know the punishment for such things. I’m afraid the blood of our people is on your hands.” His disappointment is evident as he speaks to his son.

Ledger’s chair scrapes roughly against the ground as he stands, and his fist slams into the table. “She saved your life and the lives of many people from Westray. Does that mean nothing?”

Callum bristles in his seat and my stomach churns. “Children died yesterday, Ledger, and that is just the beginning of what will happen if she stays.” Callum gives me a remorseful look.

“I need air.” Ledger storms out of the room. Anger radiates off him in furious waves. Orion prowls after him, his suit of armor clinking with each step.

“Excuse me, Your Grace.” I stand bowing my head and following after them.

Ledger makes it across the castle bridge before dismissing Orion and charging into the woods. I stop next to his guard. He looks like he wants to disobey the order and bound after him.

“I’ll talk to him,” I say, and he looks at me wearily before nodding.

I wince as Ledger’s fists slam into the tree, bark splintering the air around him. He hits it again and again until the tree turns red with his blood.

His broad shoulders heave in time with his labored breaths. I walk over to him silently, taking his bloodied hands into mine.

My power glides over his tattered skin, eager to mend the broken pieces of him back together. After the knuckles of his other hand are healed, I bring the fresh skin to my lips, placing a soft kiss there.

He doesn’t pull away. Instead, his fingers tighten around my own while the other hand snakes around my back, pulling me closer to him.

His chin rests on the top of my head as he leans into me.

“This is all because of my presence here, Ledger. I must go back,” I whisper.

He sighs, closing his eyes; he looks so very tired. “You don’t know that, Layla. We don’t know that it was an attack from Bellehaven.”

“If it wasn’t, then it’s only a matter of time. I know King Sandor, and he won’t stop until he gets me back. He is nevergoing to let me go.” Emotion clogs my throat at the thought of leaving Westray.

“I want to give you something.” Ledger pulls out a delicate silver chain. Hanging from it is a stunning emerald that matches the color of his eyes. It’s surrounded by small sparkling diamonds. “My father gifted this to my mother after I was born. I never saw her without it.”

“It’s beautiful.” It sparkles in the sun as I study it. “I could never accept that, Ledger.”

“I couldn’t imagine anyone else wearing it until I met you. I want you to have it.” He goes to clasp it around my neck, his fingers gentle as they whisper over my skin.

I watch, barely breathing. The cool metal brushes my neck and I shiver. Just as he finishes clasping it, I feel a rush of air, and then Maddox appears behind him, holding a large dagger against Ledger’s exposed throat.

“Maddox,” I gasp at his sudden appearance. My first instinct is to go to him, but the dagger at Ledger’s neck freezes me in place.

“Don’t move or I will slit your throat.” Maddox presses the blade into the thin skin at the base of Ledger’s neck drawing a few drops of blood. “I’m here to take her back to Bellehaven.”

“I was wondering when you were going to show up.” Ledger throws his head back, slamming into Maddox’s nose and ducking out of his hold. I yelp, jumping towards Maddox when Ledger draws his own dagger, holding it upand standing in front of me. “Stay behind me, Layla.” He crouches in a defensive position ready to fight. “It is her decision if she stays or goes. You do not get to make that choice for her.”

“She doesn’t belong here. She belongs back in Bellehaven. With me.” Maddox’s chestnut eyes meet mine, blood trickling out of his nose.

I don’t know what to say, what to do. Maddox lunges for Ledger; his fist makes contact under his left eye.

Ledger’s head snaps back from the blow. He recovers quickly, landing his own punch to Maddox’s stomach. I hear the air wheeze out of him. Maddox’s dagger whips up, cutting Ledger’s shoulder.

The power inside of me, however, depleted from yesterday, rumbles unhappily to the surface.

“Stop!” I yell as they continue. Ledger manages to slice his dagger across Maddox’s chest. They punch and slice at each other, ignoring my pleas.

With each blow and drop of blood, my power roars to life. “STOP!” I shriek, holding up my glowing hands.

I immobilize both of their arms, forcing their hands open and their weapons to drop. Maddox’s eyes widen and he looks at me like I have two heads.

I force them to their knees and they both seethe as they catch their breath. They don’t fight my power; instead, let it command their bodies.

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