Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,58

me to keep me still,” I answered. Huxley wordlessly pulled me into his lap, and I froze, shocked by his intimate gesture. This was entirely unlike him.

“Don’t you ever fucking scare me like that again,” he ordered.

I looked down at his hands as they ran up and down my arms to see that his knuckles were bruised and bloody.

“I might have gotten into a fight with a couple of Josiah’s guards when they told us you were gone,” he explained with a shrug and a sheepish grin. “You scared the hell out of us.”

“We’re lucky emperor Lackley’s a greedy son of a bitch,” Kemper added, shocking me with his language.

Maverick, who was sitting beside Huxley grabbed my legs and pulled them into his lap.

For the moment, I was safe. “I didn’t think you would come,” I admitted.

The transport grew quiet, and I looked around at each of them. “We aren’t Josiah,” Kemp said solemnly. The others gave me worried looks.

“I’m not even sure who he is anymore,” I answered. “So, what now?” I asked.

“Now? We go home, babe,” Cyler answered. “And, we get ready for whatever else emperor Lackley has up his sleeve. I don’t think he will be giving up that easy. He has his eye on our gold and our girl.”

During the ride home, each took turns holding my hand or keeping me close. I sensed that they felt the need to be reassured by my safety, and I reveled in it. We hurried back, anxious to be in the protection of our province and far away from the greed and political warfare of the Empire.

I spent my ride openly observing everyone and trying to orient myself. Everyone was mostly quiet. Once the adrenaline of my rescue wore off, I noticed that most of them still reeked of alcohol from the night before, and I assumed that the guys were hung over.

When we arrived back in the Dormas province, Kemper and Cyler ran to check on the Galla Guard imposters. A warehouse-turned-jail temporarily held them

I went back to the Black House and tried to force the critical thoughts about Josiah at bay. I decided to try and make sense of how our love turned so dark. I tried to look back at memories with Josiah and remember if he was always this erratic.

Josiah was always in control of his emotions, but I never before realized just how controlling he was. I then considered my fragile life in Dormas. How I quickly grew accustomed to freedom. To affection. I reveled in the looks Cyler gave me. In the fierce protectiveness of Huxley. In Jacob’s flirting. Patrick’s smile. Kemper’s sweet gaze. Maverick’s tenderness. There was trouble on the horizon, but I felt secure for the first time in my life.

I shivered at the thought, but a knock on my door shook me out of my thoughts. Patrick opened the door and slowly slid inside my room. He walked with a defeated expression and plopped himself on the corner of my bed. I never before had seen him with such a sad expression, and the effect was devastating to me.

“I thought we lost you, Ash,” he murmured. “We’ve known you barely a few weeks, and you already have me tied up in knots.”

I reached out to grab his hand and offer whatever comfort I could. I felt out of control and separated from myself. It was jarring to think that the man I loved could be so cruel, and men I barely knew could be so kind.

“Am I crazy for still loving him?” I whispered. Patrick scooted closer to me and grabbed my hand.

“He’s all you’ve ever known, Ash. You were stuck in his home. He was the only man you’ve been given a chance to love. You aren’t crazy,” he replied.

I considered his words and saw the truth in them. I felt tears stream down my face, and I brushed them away with a sloppy swipe of my dirty fingertips. I was still wearing the olive-green dress Huxley got me. I probably looked like a mess, but Patrick still observed me with reverence and appreciation.

“What are we going to do?” I thought out loud. The politics of the empire were tense, and I considered how lucky the scavengers were to be free from their toxic alliances and shady trade deals.

“Let's not worry about that, now. Just sit here and let me hold your hand. Let me know you’re safe,” Patrick pleaded.

I complied and forced thoughts of the future out of