Page 36 of Protector

“Where are they?” I ask, and she looks up slowly, a look of awkwardness on her face.

“I saw them leave, but I don’t know where they were going,” she says gently, a small, sad smile on her face.

I walk away from her and straight outside, heading into the woods.

The sky is darkening, the air getting a bit chillier now the sun is setting, but I don’t let it stop me. In a few hours, I’ll be turning sixteen, and the three people in the world I love the most have disappeared on me.

I want to cry, shout, lash out as I continue through the trees, stomping over roots and stumps.

After a couple more steps, I notice a lantern flickering just ahead, and my stomach knots.

Walking towards it, more lights start to flicker, and when I come into the clearing, the trees are shimmering in a warm gold. A blanket with treats and cushions is laid out on the leafy ground, and Puck, my giant, sweet Puck is standing in the middle, a wide smile on his face.

“You are such an ass,” I curse, and he laughs, holding his hand out towards me.

My heart tries to catch up with my mind, but it’s not fast enough, and the tears start to fall.

“Why are you crying?” Puck asks suddenly, worry etching his voice as he runs towards me. Holding my cheeks in his hands, he swipes my tears away with his thumbs.

“I thought you left. I thought you didn’t care, and you left,” I cry quietly, and he chuckles under his breath.

“Bonnie Rhivers, do you really think I’d leave you the night before your birthday?” he huffs out, a mock expression of hurt on his face.

I laugh and shake my head, because I should’ve known better.

“I just thought…” I wipe my tears. “Never mind, I’m just being silly.”

Puck leans down, capturing my lips with his.

“Will you please join me for a pre-sixteenth birthday picnic, Bonbon?”

I laugh against his lips and pull away smiling.

“I would love to.”

He walks me over to the blanket, and I sit in between his legs, leaning against his solid chest with his arms around me, shielding me like always.

The hours pass quickly with food and laughter, and I turn in his lap, kneeling between his legs to face him.

“Do you think I’m a bad sister?” I ask him honestly, and Puck’s brow furrows.

“Of course not. What makes you say that?” Puck replies, his palms smoothing up and down my arms.

“I just, I feel like King is struggling at the moment, and I’ve been so self-centred all my life, I’ve never really considered how he may be feeling.” I shrug.

“Bon, King adores you, and you’re not a bad sister. I think you’re the best little sister King, even Dax, could ever ask for. King has a lot going on with Carlo and being brought into the fold and the business with the Districts. But there is nothing more you can do that you’re not already doing. I know he loves the normalcy you bring him.”

I smile weakly and nod, leaning in to hug him.

“You’re the best of humankind, Bonnie Rhivers. And,” he says, pausing to pull back from me and look into my eyes. “I love you.”

My heart stops. Like, literally stops.

I can’t catch a breath, and Puck laughs, throwing his head back at my state of shock.

“Bonnie Rhivers, we might only be kids, but I know that I love you. I think I always have. And I know you love me, so take a deep breath, and I’ll wait patiently.”

I smile, but the words don’t come, because I still can’t catch my breath. His eyes are shining, his smile huge, and I laugh out loud, a giddy dizziness fogging my brain.

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