Page 6 of A Sweet Destruction

But nothing about this. Nothing about his plans to destroy our camp, almost kill Bellamy, or burn the only thing that kept me sane.

I felt Ford the second he stepped out of the cabin behind me. Every muscle in my back locked up, making my breaths turn painful.

I heard a neigh break through the night a second later, and Sky came barreling out of the woods towards me.

Oh, sweet boy.

He knew exactly what I needed.

In a flash of light, pleasant gray, he ran up to me and swept me on to his back, understanding that I needed to get out of here. I’d thank him with treats and pets later, but right now I needed to get away from Ford, even if for a moment.

On Sky’s back, with the fresh air blowing in my face, I could see clearly for the first time in hours, see the destruction that had been leveled on our camp.

No one could look at that and not want to help. Even as awful as I felt, how much I wanted to ride and ride and ride into the night sky until the whips of wind burned my cheeks cold, I couldn’t do it.

Sky was trying to turn towards the stables to take me out into the fields, only understanding that I was feeling antsy. Through sheer force of will, I pulled on his reins, causing him to slow. He his head turned, giving me the glimpse of one skeptical eye.

I laughed low, rubbing a hand down his back. “I know, baby boy. But we need to help right now.”

Sky grumbled, not quite his disapproving one. Ah, that sounded like his warning that—

A moment later, Shadow popped out from behind a tree, her dark, gleaming coat blending in with the night sky. I would have shrieked if Sky hadn’t warned me of her arrival. She was a sneaky one, taking after her—

Nope, I wasn’t thinking about him right now. Even as his sweet horse was nuzzling her head over my arm in comforting strokes. Sky was trying his mighty best to stay still beneath me, even though I could tell he was buzzing with excitement to be close to his mate.

I remembered that. That little thrill of anticipation every time Ford walked in the room, the giddiness that warmed my cheeks and the nervousness that made it difficult to form words.

Shadow wasn’t one to be forthcoming with affection. Since she’d realized I was the one to save Ford’s life, watched what I did to do so, she’d forced herself to be as sweet as Sky was to me.

“I’m okay,” I said, as I smoothed my hand down her mane. Her little huff told me she didn’t believe me. “Really, I am,” I tried to assure her.

That was when Sky and Shadow decided to take matters into their own hands. Sky took a sideways step towards his mate, positioning me closer so that she could slobber kisses all over my face and shoulders with little jumps onto her hind legs.

I was forced to laugh and twist away from them unless I wanted to be covered in horse snot for the rest of the night. The look of pride they gave each other once they heard my laugh only widened my smile further.

As Shadow settled back onto the ground, letting Sky lick and nuzzle her neck, I took a moment to stare at the stars, to rake clean, fresh air into my lungs, even as the ashes, the sweat, the grime hanging over our camp tainted the edges with something stifling.

These little sips of fresh air were all I could really ask for, especially in lieu of what I really needed.

Ford’s cologne that, for nearly three years, was the only thing that could calm me down. I leaned back over Sky’s strong body, letting the hump off his saddle press into my lower back. I heard a little crackle from my spine as it extended and released some pressure, a moment of relief that was gone as quickly as it came.

As I stared up at the stars, breathing hard, I tried to fight internal clenches of agony at the memories of the ways I’d try to manage the Bond when Ford didn’t know. At those same methods I would likely have to bring back now.

At the mere thought of it, something started slithering around in the back of my mind.

And there was where my peace ended.

I snapped back up to attention, my face flushed and my heart beating faster.

Alright, well that was enough peace for now. Time for another method.

Even though I’d promised Sky a ride out in nature, I turned him and Shadow towards the slope of camp, right for the Bridge. I had to do something, and if exerting myself so that I could focus on something other than a sneaky bitch hunting me in the dark was what it took, then so be it.

Sky listened, heading for the Bridge. As we walked, Shadow branched off, presumably in hunt of Ford. She probably sensed his distress from a mile away. His anger at me had been…potent.

God, this was so much easier when he barely looked at me. Painful, but simpler.

Shaking off the thought, I focused on what was ahead of me. I stopped a few times on the way to the Bridge, checking in on people as they passed and avoiding all mention of my little breakdown.