Page 33 of Hopeless Magic
They’d be cute if I cared for them at all.
An indifference fills me as I shrug my shoulders at the thought and move away on soundless steps. My heart pounds as I skim through the shadows, away from the three men who I wish I could trust. I wish them nothing but the best in life, really, I do—just without me in it.
The heaviness of the sword bumps against my thigh as I trail along the enormous waterfront. As if I’d risk my life to sail on a Nobel ship and cross these waters with men I barely know.
I can’t believe they believed me.
A smirk catches my lips as I roll my eyes at their pathetically naive minds.
Then he tackles me. For the second time since we’ve met.
The wind is knocked out of me as Darrio’s rigid body rushes mine. He grips my waist, strong arms holding me tightly. I shove against him, breathing hard as I push at his shoulders.
I stumble and he pulls me into him, his warmth surrounding me.
He does nothing but stare at me for a moment. Light shines against his beautiful eyes. My heart skips a beat from the unfiltered look he’s giving me.
Then my fist connects with his strong jaw and I slip out of his grasp.
His teeth clench together. He reaches for me once more but I push him off.
Warm hands brush around my hips and he tackles me to the ground. We fumble until we both fall into the cold water of the ocean.
“Oh, my Gods above!” I seethe, my shoulders hunching as a chill stings into my skin. “You asshole.” I shove against his slick arm once more.
He wastes no time as he lifts me from the sea, water dripping down my body as he throws me over his shoulder.
The way his fingers skim my flesh along my lower back sets me on fire.
I cannot believe he’s doing this.
“Darrio, put me down,” I demand in a weak whisper as we get closer to our camp.
“Why, so you can ditch us again?” His voice skips a little as my fists beat against his wide shoulders. “They trusted you. You’re nothing more than a selfish little brat.”
My lips curl at his description. Outrage burns through me.
I open my mouth to correct him but nothing comes out.
I come before anyone else. It’s been that way since I was sixteen. Me and me alone.
Selfish.
Yes.
“What did you expect?” I hiss.
He sits me down. My damp, pale hair clings to my jaw line.
His lips part just as I start to unbutton my pants. The line between his brows smooths as he follows my movements. Without hesitancy, I kick angrily out of my boots and shimmy out of the drenched jeans.
“What the hell are you doing?” He shifts nervously, his steely eyes darting to his brother’s sleeping form before coming back to me.
“I’ll freeze if I stay in wet clothes.” I say it slowly to him as if he’s a child. “People die of pneumonia. Did you know that?”
With confusion-filled eyes, he stares at me.
“That’s not how humans get pneumonia …”
