Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,243

transport, Kemper whispered in my ear.

“If at any moment you feel unsafe or unsure, I want to have a code word,” he said mischievously. “I’m thinking I should make it something naughty.”

I threw my head back and laughed, earning the attention of everyone in the transport. “And what would you suggest?”

“I would say cock, but then what if we’re having a normal conversation about cocks? That wouldn't work. How about muffin? Everyone loves muffins,” Kemp answered with a grin.

“Deal.” I imagined myself on some battlefield yelling, “Muffin!” and giggled.

When the transport came to a stop, I looked outside once more and observed an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Galla. A tall figure with white hair and wearing black was leaning in an alcove of one of the buildings. Jules eagerly pressed a button to raise the transport door, then ran to the man as he emerged from the shadow. She launched herself, smiling as she collided with his chest, and he spun her around.

I exited the transport, and he spoke into her hair. “Agapimenos, you’re three days late,” he said.

I smiled, realizing it was Tallis. His seeking eyes grazed over us, and I sensed that he was looking for Mia. “We hit a slight snag,” Jules replied with a defeated look on her face.

“Where’s Mia?” Tallis reached out to greet each of us. With a tight smile, he performed the usual Scavenger greeting by touching Huxley’s, Patrick’s, and my chest over our hearts.

“We were attacked. She’s okay, but it wasn’t safe for her to travel. She stayed behind with the Water camp. A healer there is tending to her, and I’m pretty sure their leader has a crush on her, so she’s in expert care,” Jules explained.

Jules stared up at Tallis with adoration, and I wished for a reunion of my own. I wondered what would happen when I saw Maverick, Cyler, and Jacob. Would they be happy to see me? Spin me around? Or would they be angry I risked myself?

I decided I didn’t care.

“Agrio, it’s good to see you. I’m happy you’ve come to help.”

“Of course,” I said. “I would have come sooner, but we couldn’t figure out how to get off my fetter.” I absentmindedly rubbed my skin where my fetter once was. Sliding my eyes towards Jules, I stared pointedly at her happy expression. “Plus, we didn’t know where you were or even if you were alive.”

“Oh stop,” Jules replied. “I came for you eventually, didn’t I? I had other things to worry about.”

I felt a hand on my back, and I turned to see Kemper with his mouth dropped open in shock. His face was pale as he stared to our right.

“I forgot to mention,” Jules said with a grin, “I have a surprise for you.”

I followed Kemper’s gaze in confusion, unsure of what she meant, but froze when I saw a familiar flirtatious smile standing off to the side. My heart stumbled over my pulse. Happiness and uncertainty fought for dominance in my gut, making me question if my eyes were deceiving me or if Jacob—my Jacob—was truly standing there.

“Jacob?” I whispered while dropping my pack to the ground and shuffling towards him. I didn’t run and launch myself into his arms. I didn’t embrace him like a long-lost lover either. I stared at the beautiful man right in front of me like this moment was too precious, too perfect to ruin.

“Jacob, please tell me it’s you.”

He was wearing a gray hood, but I knew those lips, that smile, anywhere. “A-Ash,” he said. His voice held reverence and a hint of disbelief.

I lifted up on my tiptoes, kissing his chin, his cheeks, his neck. I peppered him with my love, rubbing my face against the scruff of his newly grown beard. “Jacob,” I cried out like I couldn’t say his name enough. I wanted to look into his perfect brown eyes before kissing those plump lips I’d dreamt about.

Slowly, I lifted my fingers to remove the hood as his breath hitched. And he grabbed my wrist to stop me. Something wasn’t right. I could feel the crackle of anxiety flowing off of him. “What’s wrong?” I asked as he released me.

Pinching the fabric between my fingers, I pulled back the grey hood and went still when I saw the scar slashed along his forehead and over his eyebrow. It was deep and long.

Oh, Jacob.

Tears filled my eyes as I ran a finger along his wound. I leaned forward and kissed his lips, letting