Page 70 of Shattered Heir
“I know you have feelings for me, too.” He caressed my cheeks, and I wondered if he was going to kiss me, and I wondered what he would do when I turned away. I wasn’t interested in kissing anyone else but Shad. Did I need to scream it from the mountaintops? Because I would if it was necessary.
“I do have feelings for you, Ry. Of course, I do.” I turned away from him, not able to face him as I broke his heart. But I had to be honest, right? I couldn’t fall into his arms and tell him that we could be together when my heart was already taken. “But I just—”
He touched my shoulder and pulled me into his arms.
“You love him more, or in a different way,” he said as I looked up into his grey and blue eyes. I nodded as I watched one single tear fall. I started crying, too, and he cocooned me into his arms and held me, like he always had done, piecing me back together.
“It’s okay, Emma. Really, it will be okay.”
I cried for breaking his heart, for the loss of Shad, for having to befriend Cade, for having Ryker comfort me when I just brokehim, for hating myself for what I had done. For everything, I cried.
“I do love you, Ry,” I whimpered as I pulled away from him.
“I am sorry, Em. I should not have pushed you; I am so sorry.” He looked worried, and I smiled the best smile I could manage through the tears, trying to sound playful.
“Ry, are things going to be different between us, now?”
“Believe it or not, I already knew your answer. As disappointing as it is to hear out loud, I cannot blame you for being honest, and saying what I knew you would.” He brushed my cheek, freeing a tear and then focused on my lips, as he licked his.
“You are too good for me anyways,” I said.
He laughed, pulling me closer to him and placing his chin on top of my head.
“I have always known it.”
“I promise you, it is entirely the opposite. But just know, Emma, if ever you change your mind, or if ever there is no Shad—” He paused as I flinched in his arms. “I will always be here for you; I am not going anywhere. I will always be whatever you need.”
Chapter Thirty
My name was called; it was an echo down the hallway, and I wondered if I was imagining it, or if it was Cade again inside of my soul. I stopped walking, letting my classmates move on past me. The bell rang, and we were all headed home. I turned around with relief to see Ryker coming toward me.
“Hey there, Princess.” His smile was bright, and I wanted to get lost in it. After he had confessed his feelings for me, things went back to normal, more than I thought they could. It seemed like nothing had changed. I was grateful.
I needed his light and warmth in my life, especially if I was going to do it, going to save Shad. Ryker was my family, and I wanted to let his smile brighten my mood, but it just couldn't. It seemed that I had become too broken and too long gone for things like smiles that would pull me out of the corruption I was under, but I liked seeing the smiles and feeling the warmth of his touch, just the same. I knew that the monster inside of me was there to stay. I had no way of getting rid of her. Keil explained that I needed to let go of hatred, but how can I do that? How can I not hate the people who ruined my life?
“You're walking home again?” Ryker asked as I stood there, silently pondering everything.
“Yes,” I said without smiling.
“Okay, just wanted to check.” He nodded as he reached out to touch my hand and squeeze it tight. “See you at home,” he said as he turned and walked away. I let the breath out that I was holding in. Home, our home. I tried not to let a tear fall because Ryker was home. He would always be home. Another thing I had to worry about was that glimmer in his eyes. He tried to mask it, but I saw it. I knew him. I walked down the hall to my locker, thankful that it was Friday and that I could leave my books at school, and that I would be able to sleep in the next morning.
“Em!” Ash called as she ran down the hall toward me.
“Hey! Aren't you going to miss the bus?” I asked as I turned to face her.
“Oh, no, Glass is picking me up today,” she smiled.
“Oh, nice, I think? Is that nice?”
“I will endure Glass and his emotional state of grump to not be in that smelly bus,” she scrunched up her nose, and I laughed. “I wanted to see if you wanted a ride with us?”
“No, it's okay. I really need to walk; it helps me think.”
She nodded, a bit disappointed. “Well, have a good weekend, Emma. Stay safe,” she whispered.
“You, too,” I called as she ran back down the hall toward the school's parking lot.
“Finally, I thought they would never leave you alone,” Cade’s voice caused a shiver down my spine.
