Page 55 of Reckless
And then I’m shaking my head, wrapping an arm around her legs, and pulling them against me.
She looks at me, shocked. And then she smiles, bright and big like the night sky hanging above us.
I fear she could rival the stars.
An arrow sinks into the sand beside my head.
I hear it land before I’ve even opened my eyes.
I roll, staying low to the ground as I scan the darkness for the source of this ambush. Arrows are pelting our camp, burying themselves into the flesh of my groggy men. Their screams fill my ears as I feel their powers flicker out from under my skin.
Blinking away sleep and the blackness blocking my view, I can just barely make out the figures stalking toward us in the sand. I shift onto my side, preparing to stand and use one of the few powers left at my disposal to—
Something cool and sharp meets the skin of my neck.
The feeling is all too familiar.
And so is her voice.
“One more move, and I won’t hesitate again.”
CHAPTER 21Paedyn
The blade glints in the moonlight, hiding the pale line of blood it’s drawn beneath.
“I don’t even want to know how you managed to get that,” Kai breathes, the muscle in his jaw ticking with frustration. I keep the knife firm against his neck as I hear the last of the Imperials fall to the sand with a muted thud.
“We are being ambushed, Gray. What do you think you’re doing?” he mutters, eyes searching my face as I scan the sand and figures approaching.
I look down at him from where I’m casually sitting. “I think I’m getting rescued.”
Confusion crumples his face while a smile spreads across mine. “How…?” He pauses, disbelief painting his features. “How could you possibly—”
“Aye, Princess!”
My heart leaps at the sound of his voice. I’ve never been so happy to hear that ridiculous nickname.
His hair blends in with the ring of firelight he’s just stepped into. It’s a curly mess falling over his forehead, while the face below is splattered equally with dirt and freckles. The smile he gives me has tears springing to my eyes. I never thought I would see another friend, alive and well.
“What, you just gonna sit there all day or get over here and give me a hug?” Lenny asks, raising a skeptical pair of eyebrows.
I glance at the Enforcer glaring up at me when a sharp voice answers the question I hadn’t voiced. “I’ve got him, Paedyn, don’t worry.”
Smiling, I look up to find Leena doing the same. She has a crossbow trained on the prince while a sly grin plays at her lips. Her long black hair is tied at the nape of her neck and flung over a shoulder. She is tiny and terrifying and I’m tearing up just looking at her.
I don’t hesitate before scrambling to my feet. With my eyes locked on Lenny, I’m stumbling toward him, bare feet shifting in the sand. Then I’m staggering to a stop, staring up at the face I thought I’d never see again.
“All right.” He spreads his arms open with a slight shrug. “Come here.”
I nod, letting the knife slip from my hand before stepping into his embrace. My forehead meets his chest with a comical thump. I feel his laugh vibrate through me as he wraps his arms around my back to give me an awkward pat.
“I missed you, too, Princess,” he says into my hair before pulling away to look at me. “I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again. At least”—he looks away, suddenly serious—“at least not before the rest of Ilya saw you.”
“Yeah, me too,” I whisper, blinking back stubborn tears. Then I’m hugging Leena while she holds a loaded crossbow in hand, which somehow feels fitting.
“It’s good to see you,” she breathes. I nod, smiling as another figure steps from the shadows.
“No heartfelt greetings for me? I’ll try my best not to take offense.”
