Page 33 of Ruin

“S’clean. No trackers.”

Glad to know the robot had been telling the truth, she let out a quiet breath.

“How do you feel?” she asked, hating how small and scared her voice sounded.

A weak smile tugged at his lips. “Like shit, little bird.”

Despite everything, her stomach fluttered at the endearment. She tried to smile back, but it felt wobbly.

“Is there anything I can do? Should I try to find a medic or?—”

“No,” Ruin cut her off, his grip on her hand tightening. “Too dangerous. Just… gotta ride it out.”

She bit her lip, torn between the need to do something, anything, and the fear of leaving him alone. “What about the crates? Is there anything in there that could help? Even just a cold compress for the fever?”

Ruin nodded, his eyes drifting closed again.

Relieved to have some way to help, she reluctantly let go of his hand and went to the cleansing room. Finding a cloth, she emptied another drinking tube onto it, then returned to his side. Gently, she placed it on his forehead.

He hissed at the contact, then sighed as the coolness seeped into his heated skin. “Thanks, bird,” he murmured.

She sat back down and watched the rise and fall of his chest, counting each breath like it was the most precious thing in the universe. Because it was.

Hewas.

The silence stretched and her mind wandered, imagining all the horrible things that could happen. What if backup didn't arrive in time? What if more assassins found them? What if the poison did something irreversible? What if?—

“Stop it,” Ruin's gruff voice cut through her spiraling thoughts.

Lira blinked, focusing on his face. His eyes were open again, watching her with a mixture of fondness and exasperation.

“Stop what?”

“Worryin',” he said, reaching out to brush his fingers against her cheek. “I can see the wheels turnin' in that pretty head of yours.”

She leaned into his touch, savoring the contact even as her heart ached. “Can't help it,” she whispered. “I'm worried about you.”

His expression softened, something vulnerable flickering in his eyes. “I ain't goin' anywhere. Promised to keep you safe, didn't I?”

She nodded, tears pricking at her eyes, and caught his hand in hers, pressing a kiss to his palm. “But who's going to keepyousafe?”

A deep purr rumbled in his chest. “Got you for that, don't I?”

The simple statement hit her with a sudden jolt and left her reeling. He trusted her. Needed her. The realization was both terrifying and exhilarating.

“Yeah,” she breathed, voice thick with emotion. “You do.”

His eyes drifted closed again, his breathing evening out. She sat there, holding his hand, watching over him as the hours ticked by.

She'd be damned if she let anything happen to him on her watch.

Chapter 11

Apained groan jolted Lira from a light doze, her body snapping upright with a start. On the bed, Ruin appeared as if he was still asleep, but he was tense and shifting restlessly, muscles twitching beneath scarred skin. His hands clenched and unclenched, and a sheen of sweat covered him.

“Ruin?” she called softly, not wanting to startle him but desperate to pull him from whatever nightmare had him in its grip. She reached out and cupped his face. “Can you hear me?”

The moment her palm touched his cheek, his eyes flew open. Before she could react, he'd grabbed her wrist and nipped at her hand, teeth grazing her skin.