Page 23 of Ruin

“I like you, too, little bird.”

The words were rough as gravel and carried the hint of a threat, as though he was trying to warn her there would be no take backs here.

Good.

Chapter 8

The taste of her, the sight of her coming apart on his tongue, her cries, and those words…

“I like you.”

They were playing on a loop in his head. Had been all day, which was dangerous. He needed to focus, to be alert for threats.

Today’s outing should be brief—just getting food and supplies—but that didn’t mean he could afford to slack off.

Damn sure not when Lira was with him.

Interlacing his fingers with hers, he guided her through the sea of beings crowding the thoroughfare, then slipped between twoXerkeseand turned the corner into another lesser known market.

They were greeted by the usual riot of colors, scents, and sounds, all bathed in simulated sunlight. A wide walkway meandered between the tall buildings; the bases and each level’s balcony lined with stalls and booths, shaded by vibrantly colored, patchwork awnings.

Neons signs in a variety of languages flickered and flashed, trying to draw people in. A few floating platforms drifted above, casting slow-moving shadows on the patrons below, operated by droids selling teas, street foods, and a variety of intoxicants.

“Do you think they have that ji’la bread here?” Lira asked softly.

Lifting his nose, he sorted through the tangle of scents permeating the air. Catching a whiff of ji’la, he nodded. “Mmhm.”

“You can smell it? Out of all of this?” She waved her hand, gesturing blindly at the market while peering up at him owlishly.

“Mm.”

The cute little arches of hair above her eyes rose. “That’s impressive.”

Praise wasn’t something he was accustomed to, or usually particularly comfortable with, but from Lira, he found he liked it. It took actual effort to keep from preening.

“Could we get some?”

He smiled down at her. “We’ll get whatever you want, my bird.”

He’d give her the fucking universe, if she asked.

Ruin's chest tightened at the soft, adoring way she peered up at him. He had to force himself to focus on navigating the bustling market rather than getting lost in those verdant eyes.

As they approached the first stall, the vendor, a gruff-lookingZaarmale, eyed them warily. Ruin met his gaze evenly, not backing down but not threatening him either, letting the maleknow he wasn’t there for trouble. After a tense moment, the Zaar grunted and turned his attention to another customer.

Lira leaned in, her voice hushed. “Is everything okay?”

"Everything’s fine. Lurians have a… certain reputation, s’all.”

She nodded, then turned her attention back to the dishes on display.

That she was so attuned to him pleased him in a way he couldn’t put into words. Even more pleasing was seeing the easy way she navigated this environment, the confidence with which she carried herself.

It was a damned far cry from the cowering waif he’d rescued… gods, had it only been a few days ago? Felt like weeks.

Having picked what she wanted, they continued weaving between stalls and around clusters of haggling shoppers.

“Soon as we’re done here, I gotta surprise for you,” he murmured, cutting a look down at her.

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