She looked like a queen.
I wished I could make her feel that way every day.
I picked a bundle of orange tropical flowers. Didn’t know their name, but they reminded me of her.
Bright. Beautiful. A little wild.
After gathering the bouquet and marking a few good trees to cut later, I headed back. Her cottage needed serious repairs.
And maybe… if I showed her I cared—really cared—she might consider coming with me.
Or maybe not.
If she didn’t, I still wanted her home to stand strong while I was gone.
Because I’d come back for her.
It was foolish to think that way. If she didn’t want me now, who’s to say she ever would?
Still… I had to try.
I wasn’t used to losing. To waiting. To not being in control.
But for her, I could learn.
I was halfway down the trail we’d walked so many times when my foot caught?—
Snap!
I was suddenly dangling upside down.
A curse slipped out, something I’d stopped doing around Malia, but it tore loose anyway.
Grunting, I reached for the borrowed dagger in my boot and sawed at the rope.
It cut easily—too easily. The dagger had truly never been used.
I hit the ground with a thud.
“Oh no!” The voice came from the bushes and I immediately recognized two lanky teenagers hiding. Their voices meshed into chaos.
“We caught the wrong person–”
“He’s getting out!”
“We gotta get out of here–”
“Stay where you are!” I exclaimed. “Both of you, or Iwillfollow you this time and you will be sorry.”
The teenagers froze.
“We thought you left her already,” said Lilo, her face pale.
“Who are you bothreally?” I asked.
Niko folded his arms, trying to look brave, but his eyes showed his fear of me otherwise. They knew that, against me, they didn’t stand a chance. Especially after what happened last time… “Why would we tell you?” he asked.
“Because if you don’t, there will be consequences.” I took a step forward and they both visibly flinched.
