The ones she picks are squishy and sour, but between the berries and fish, the gnawing hunger in my stomach quiets. She was right to scold me for not eating more. I was so preoccupied with getting her home as quickly as possible that I neglected my own needs. It would not serve her for me to keel over from starvation, leaving Nia to fend for herself.
After eating many handfuls of sour berries, the world still feels a little hazy, but I push on, keeping close to the canyon walls, searching for signs of the wolves’ trail. There are many jagged ledges, but none seem to lead anywhere, and most wouldbe impossible to reach without a ladder of some sort. I am trying to remain positive, but it is difficult when I have not slept in many days.
Something else I must remedy soon.
I can feel my irritation growing like thorns scraping my skin, making my mood as jagged as those ledges.
At least Nia’s dress was dry enough to wear. I do not think I could survive another day of traipsing next to her in her bra. What have I done to deserve such torture? This must be atonement for all the lies I told.
If we escape this place unscathed, I swear I will never tell another lie so long as I live.
No one warns you that spending every waking moment with a female you care for more than life itself but cannot touch will drive you to madness.
Imagine how mad Nolan must feel, having lost Nia Quill. If my hatred for him did not burn so brightly, I would feel sorry.
Nia does not look sorry. She looks determined and beautiful and so strong. Yes, she is a fearsome female indeed.
I wouldn’t say no.
I long to hold her in my arms and introduce her lips to mine, but how does one go from what we are in this moment tomore?
If only I knew.
Her small hand squeezes my fingers, and I find her smiling up at me, her lips curved most invitingly. The fear in my blood begins to fade. Would now be a good time for our lips to meet? There is only one way to find out?—
“Do you like traveling?” she asks.
I would like to travel from where I stand to where she stands, until our bodies are pressed as tightly as the desire coiling around my throat. To let my lips travel from her mouth to her throat. Lower. To let my hands travel along every hill and valley along her beautiful form.
Unfortunately, I do not think this is the sort of travel she means.
“I enjoy discovering new places and meeting new people, but I also like coming back home.”
For some reason, my response erases her smile and makes her brow furrow.
“Why do you make this face? Do you not like venturing from Rosehill?” Is she afraid that I am unwilling to remain in one place? I would happily stay in the castle gardens with Nia for the rest of my days if she wished it.
“No, no. It’s not that. I’m just wondering why you didn’t go with your parents to see the world.”
Her question stops my thundering heart dead in my chest, replacing desire with dread.
I swear I will never tell another lie so long as I live.
This promise was forafterwe escape. I can make up a beautiful story about my parents that will make her smile. Wishing it were true is almost the same, isn’t it?
No.
If I want to regain her trust, I must tell her the entire terrible truth.
“I was not invited.”
“Why not?”
This is an excellent question; one that will forever remain unanswered. “I did not have a chance to ask them. They left while I was on an errand. I came back to my home only to find my home was no longer there.” My entire life has been plaguedby the not knowing. “I can only assume it was because I cried too much. I had just turned four, and?—”
She comes to a stop, her hand falling away from mine. “Are you serious?”
This is why I did not want to discuss my life. Because I knew she would look at me with pity and confusion.
