Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,63

Black Manor, leaving Jacob and me in an awkward silence.

“I’m sorry, Ashleigh,” Jacob rasped.

“You don’t have anything to apologize for,” I replied as we continued our trek to the train station. “Jules is very persistent.”

“There was a time when she and I were best friends.” His voice held a note of sadness that made my heart thud with an echoing pain. “I wish we could go back to that. It would be so much easier if I loved her back.”

I observed Jacob and noticed his slumped shoulders and bowed head. Having Jules back in Dormas was wearing him down in ways that I couldn’t understand, and I had been too self-absorbed lately to help him. I sensed that Jacob questioned his place here, as well as worried that Jules’ persistence would further tarnish their group dynamic.

“You can’t force yourself to love someone, Jacob,” I gently told him.

“Are you speaking from experience?” He guided me around a large muddy puddle in the middle of the road.

“Not exactly,” I muttered. I focused on the splatter of ruby paint that kissed my thumb, and how it looked beautiful against Jacob’s brown skin. I struggled to formulate into words the thoughts that have been plaguing me for the past few weeks. “It’s more like,” I began, “I have to force myself not to love someone. I have to remind myself that he doesn’t deserve my heart.”

Jacob paused for a moment as if allowing my words to sink in. He stopped walking and pulled me close.

“He doesn’t, you know.” Jacob stepped closer to me. He brushed my curls behind my ear and left a lingering palm against my neck that felt hot and made my skin buzz with anticipation. “A heart like yours should be cherished, sweetheart.”

Before I could respond, a joyful holler startled us and pulled me from our intense conversation. I looked down the road and saw Cyler eying us with amusement.

“I was wondering what was taking you both so long!” He joked in his usual gruff tone that I had grown to adore since my time in Dormas. Cyler was wearing midnight denim pants that clung tightly to his muscular frame and an oversized black t-shirt that still showed off his impressive muscles. His shoulder-length hair was wavy and wild, and his light scruff framed a broad smile. He stepped around Jacob and enveloped me in a crushing and delightful hug.

“Hey, babe,” he mumbled against the thick curls of my hair before inhaling deeply. “You always smell like cake.” He chuckled to himself, and the deep sound brushed against me in a subtle tickle that made me shiver. I giggled and squeezed him back while rising on my tiptoes. “Jacob was hoarding you all to himself when we’ve got important stuff to do!” Cyler joked.

The reminder of these ‘important things’ made my stomach drop and all lightheartedness fade away. We were headed to the deadlands to secure an alliance with some of the most deadly and wild people in the entire Empire.

“Babe, don’t look at me like that. This’ll be easy!” Cyler boomed.

I wanted to voice my concerns but instead comfortably settled into the crook of Cyler’s muscular arm. I chose to ignore the all-encompassing fear and enjoy my walk with him and Jacob towards the train station.

Chapter Three

Cyler and Jacob kept the conversation light while we walked, and I sensed that they wanted to alleviate my concerns and distract me from the meeting ahead. I debated on asking to stay behind, but quickly extinguished that fleeting thought when I realized it would mean allowing the men I’d grown to care about travel into danger without me. Besides, I was a bit curious about the Scavenger way of life.

When we arrived at the station, Patrick, Huxley, Kemper, and Maverick were unloading various boxes from the cargo trolley. If it weren’t for Cyler’s purposeful strides, as well as the constant reminder that things needed to stay platonic between the seven of us, I might have stopped to appreciate the view.

Patrick and Huxley lifted heavy crates with ease while Kemper bit the end of a pencil and checked off items on the shipping order. Maverick took heaping gulps of water, and I watched as droplets trickled down his defined chin and neck. They worked seamlessly together.

Cyler’s booming greeting got everyone's attention, and each of the guys rewarded me with smoldering smiles that made my mouth go dry. I licked my lips and noticed Cyler's eyes zero in on the movement of my tongue. He