Page 2 of Ruining Red
My stomach clenches as more of that infernal dampness gathers at the juncture of my thighs.I ache now, all over.It’s no longer centered at my apex.Every joint screams at me as I attempt to move.
Whispers pull at me, zipping around my ears like a ferocious wind.They make no sense.They call to me, and yet, I find I do not understand the words.At least, my mind doesn’t.My body, however, responds, coming alive at the raspy sound.
With a start, my eyes fly open.Frantic, I glance about, noting the waning sun.I’ve been asleep far longer than I anticipated.Fear grips me as I look down at the basket in my hands.
A light layer of snow covers everything, including the medicine.With shaky fingers, I remove the top and look inside, my heart in my throat.With a sigh, I note that nothing is frozen.It must have been my body heat keeping everything safe.
Forcing myself back up, my legs wobble for a moment.I brace against the tree and freeze.I’m not alone.Though I cannot see anyone else, my hair stands on end as the sense of a piercing gaze follows me.
I’ve lingered far too long, and now, it’s no longer safe.Pulling the basket closer to my chest, holding it against me as a talisman, I go back onto the path, breathing a sigh of relief as the way remains clear for me.In my fear, I worried it would disappear right from under my nose.
Striding forward, I make a mental note not to be distracted again.I can’t afford any more missteps.The forest was kind to me once, but there’s no guarantee it will be so forgiving next time.
As I follow the meandering trail, I still cannot shake the feeling of eyes following me.I long to cry out, to demand whoever or whatever it is to show themselves.But that’s one rule of the forest I will never break.
Don’t ask the trees questions, for you will not like their answer.The wise words I grew up with whirl through my mind.Redoubling my steps, I continue on, coming to a sharp bend.I take in a deep breath and follow it around, running into a solid wall of muscle.It’s a miracle my grip on the basket never falters as I fall backward, landing square on my posterior.
Pain shoots through me, but I remain silent, refusing to give this stranger a foothold.As he leans forward, his eyes lock onto mine, stopping all movement.Those eyes.It’s the eyes from my dream.What trickery is this?
A few seconds too late, I try to shuffle back, but his massive strides catch up to me in the blink of an eye.A whimper claws up my throat as his heavenly scent invades my nostrils, scrambling my thoughts.All I want to do is drink him in.
When he reaches for me, I’m helpless to resist.I allow him to help me stand and don’t even put up a fight as his long arm snakes around my waist to steady me.My head brushes his chest, my nose slamming into his upper abs as he pulls me to him.
“Sorry,” he murmurs, his voice vibrating through his core, sending shivers through me.“I never expected to collide with a lady such as you.That is, no one usually enters these woods, and so I thought I would be alone.Are you injured?”He pushes me away, holding me at arm's length, allowing me to take a breath.
It’s still laced with his scent, making my body sway in the confines of his grasp.“I… I…” The world dips for a moment as my knees buckle from under me.
“Easy there,” he commands, pulling me upright, holding me fast in his arms.
His fingers smooth over my hair, sliding the hood off.Snow-white curls bounce down from where I’d stuffed them into the cloak, spilling about my shoulders.Terror seizes my lungs as he runs his fingers along my scalp.
Pulling back, I wrench out of his grasp and pull the hood back over.“You shouldn’t take such liberties.”
“I was merely searching for a wound, a bump on your head or worse.”Concern laces his tone as his brows draw in.
Though his words sound truthful, I don’t believe them.No one is supposed to look upon my hair save my mother.Touching it is out of the question.No one has ever said why it’s forbidden, making the emotions coursing through me even more confusing.But, everyone from the village or nearby knows any sort of contact is impermissible.
That means he’s a stranger.Fear swirls through my gut as I tighten the cloak tighter about my shoulders.There can be only one type of stranger in the forest, and I’m not foolish enough to fall for his silver tongue or handsome physique.
This sprite means to waylay me, to keep me from my mission.Squaring my shoulders, I attempt to move past him, but he blocks my way, crossing his arms to seem even more imposing.Looking up, I note the dark, stormy black and greys of his eyes, like choppy waves in a snowstorm.
I could get lost in those eyes.They’re so cold, and yet, I feel a blazing warmth underneath.Shaking my head, I disrupt the spell he’s weaving around me.I feel it like tendrils curling about my arms and legs, rooting me to the spot.
Soon, I’ll be a part of the forest, a tree rooted in place by something as pathetic as flutterings in my stomach.Again, I try to push past, but he holds his arm out, anchoring it against a broad oak.
“I’ll have your name, beautiful.”His words slide over me like honey.
There’s a compulsion there; I’m almost sure of it.Tossing my head back, I hunch down, using my diminutive size to duck under his arm.The smirk he gives me as I dance out of reach leaves me nearly breathless.
“If you were someone I was allowed to talk to, you would already know my name.”
“Ahh, but can you not give a small courtesy to a passing stranger?”he teases, his smile widening.
“And that is why I shall not give it.I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.”
“And yet, we’ve been conversing for several moments now.”He glances up into the darkening sky, squinting as a few flakes drop onto his face.“Seems to me you’re still in good health.”
There’s something about his tone that flows over my skin like a caress.It coils through me, tightening my stomach.Again, that ache pulses between my thighs.Squeezing them together, I do my best to staunch the liquid gathering there, grateful my cloak hides all evidence.
