“Why?” I gasped.
“Because we’ll end up doing something we’ll both regret.”
“Huh?” I asked, as my fingers dug into his shoulders, pulling him closer again.
Micah groaned and jerked back. “Look, I don’t want to take your virginity in an old coffee shop bathroom!”
His point came crashing down on me. “Oh,” I murmured, a flush of embarrassment, not desire, rushing to my cheeks. We stood there with our chests heaving, trying to catch our breath. I bit my lip to try to keep the question in, but I couldn’t help myself and blurted. “Are you disappointed I’m a virgin?”
He rolled his eyes and leaned towards me again. “Don’t be stupid, Cadence.” His thumbs rubbed along the length of my cheekbones. “I love everything about you, and I’ll be thrilled and honored to take your virginity—just not right here.”
“Really?”
He nodded.
“So, um, you aren’t one?”
“No, my first time was when I was fifteen, and it was a situation kinda like this.” I guess he realized my curiosity because he grinned sheepishly. “It was in a closet at one of the relocation camps. I don’t even remember her name. It was one of those, ‘Hey the world’s gone crazy so why don’t we go crazy, too!’ kinda moments. Definitely not the most romantic experience I ever had.” He leaned into me and brought his hands up to push my hair back from my face. “And I want better for you. It should be beautiful and special.”
My heartbeat accelerated at his words, and I shivered with anticipation. It was moments like these I wondered how I ever doubted the intensity of my feelings for him.
A throat cleared behind us. When Micah turned, Kellan was framed in the doorway. The expression on his face told me he’d seen more than he should have.
“Artie wanted me to tell you the food’s getting cold,” Kellan said.
“I’ll be right there,” I replied, trying to smooth my hair down from where Micah’s fingers had destroyed it during our moment of passion.
Kellan nodded and then walked away.
When I looked up to see the glint on Micah’s face, I slapped his arm. “Hey, what’s with the violence?” he demanded.
“You loved every second of that, didn’t you?”
“Excuse me if I don’t feel sorry for the poor, handsome rich boy.”
“You could try just a little bit. He’s going through a lot, and the two of us together doesn’t help things.”
Micah held up his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. I’ll try being more warm and fuzzy with rich boy.”
“Thank you,” I said.
He grinned. “Now would you please get out of here, so I can finish undressing without having to worry about offending your virgin eyes?”
“Oh please, I have an older brother. You don’t have anything I haven’t already seen,” I argued.
With his grin widening, Micah brought his hand to the button of his jeans. “Well, then, if you’re sure you don’t mind.”
I sighed in exasperation. “On that note, I’m going to dinner.”
When I left the bathroom, I ran into Kellan, but I couldn’t meet his gaze. Instead, I sidestepped him and eased down at the table where Artie had set out a bowl of soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. By the time I looked up, he had disappeared into the bathroom.
I picked up my spoon and smiled at Artie across the table. “This looks delicious. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I wish I could have had more, but I don’t get to the store but once a month. Things just don’t keep.”
“This is more than fine, Artie,” Maureen assured. “Besides, you didn’t actually know we were coming.”
Rubbing the stubble on his chin, he nodded. “I guess that’s true.”
While Maureen and Artie caught up on old times, I devoured every crumb of my sandwich and almost turned up the soup bowl to slurp out of it. The last good meal I’d eaten had been at the palace dinner. I’d been so nervous about Micah’s and my escape that I hadn’t been able to eat much.
Then with a full stomach, I began to nod at the table. I woke up to Micah nudging me. “Hey sleepyhead, why don’t you go lie down?”
I yawned. “Maybe that’s a good idea.”
As I stood up, Maureen did as well. “I know it’s still early in our old time, but I think we all ought to try to get some rest.”
We all stared at the two queen sized mattresses. “Um, how are we handling the sleeping arrangements?” Micah asked.
Without looking at any of us, Maureen said, “I think it’s best that Cadence and I sleep together, and you and Kellan.”
Both Micah and Kellan started to protest, but Maureen raised her hand to silence them. “These might be the nicest accommodations we have for a long time. And you two need to realize that we’re all on the same team here.”
Micah snorted, and Kellan rolled his eyes. I turned my back to them and started helping Maureen put new sheets on the mattress.
With a string of mumblings under their breath, Kellan and Micah fixed their bed. “Well goodnight then,” Artie said, before turning out the light and heading to his cot in the backroom.
From the moment we got settled in, Micah and Kellan took turns initiating a symphony of sighs. I felt Maureen tense beside me. After the millionth sigh, she flung off the covers. “Okay, fine. Since you can’t be anything but immature, Micah, get in the bed with Cadence. Then, you two boys won’t have to be together!”
None of us moved—I don’t think we even blinked. “Well, didn’t you hear me?” Maureen prompted.
“Uh, look, I’m sorry. I’ll knock it off and go to sleep,” Micah said.
“Yeah, me too,” Kellan replied.
“Fine,” Maureen said, and then fell back down beside me.
True to their word, they didn’t make another noise. Of course, I didn’t stay awake long enough to notice since sleep overcame me.
A swirling, dreamy world enveloped my subconscious. Once again, the foggy mist snaked around my ankles and filled the air around me. This time when the fog cleared, I found myself walking through a field of wildflowers instead of a tunnel. Then the sky began to darken, and the field was cast in shadows under a lone, bright star. As I stared up at it, I pleaded, “Won’t you help me?” And then the star moved across the sky and became eclipsed by a crescent moon. Once again, I raised my face to the sky. “Please help me…help me help Kellan.”
Then the beautiful dark skinned girl from before came across the field. She took my hand in hers, and when I looked on her other side, there was Griff.
Before I could hug him and tell him how much I missed him, I jolted awake. Staring up at the ceiling, I caught my breath. What did it all mean? I knew too much about dream interpretation to believe it was all random.
Next to me, Maureen snored softly. I turned over to see Micah’s face practically smashed into his pillow, his breathing heavy. He looked so baby-faced that it brought a smile to my lips. I glanced over him to see Kellan’s side empty.
I rose and looked around the room. I didn’t see him anywhere, so I started for the bathroom when I saw him through the window. He was sitting on one of the benches outside the coffeehouse.
“Hey,” I said, softly, as I closed the door behind me.
“Hey,” he replied, still refusing to look at me.
I eased down beside him. “Can’t sleep?”
He shook his head.
“Yeah, a dream woke me up, and I couldn’t go back to sleep.” I continued talking more for my own benefit than his. “It’s weird because it’s the second time I’ve dreamed it. Well, I’ve dreamed similar parts of it. It sucks that I’ve never been able to interpret my own dreams.” Kellan still didn’t respond. “You were in the dream.”
He cut his eyes over to me. “As what, the loser?”
I recoiled back from the hurtfulness of his tone. “Please don’t be that way.”
“How else would you like me to be?” he asked through gritted teeth.
Shrugging, I said, “Just anything but this.”
Kellan rolled his eyes in exasperation.
Tentatively, I touched his arm. When he jerked away, I sighed. “Look, I’m sorry that I hurt you—that I continue to hurt you. And I’m sorry I can’t be with you the way you want me to. But more than anything, I’m sorry that we can’t at least be friends because I do care about you, and I enjoyed being with you these past few days—well, some parts of them.”
When Kellan didn’t answer me, I started to get up and go back to bed. “Wait,” he said. I hovered between sitting and standing. “I’m sorry, too.”
Exhaling sharply, I sat back on the bench. “You are?”
He nodded. “I’ve been acting like a complete and utter asshole.”
“Wow,” I murmured.
A small smile curled on his lips. “What, are you not going to argue with me on that one?”
I laughed. “Um, no, not really. I mean, yes, you’ve been an asshole, but I can understand why.”
“Don’t get too proud of me, though. I’m not saying I’m completely over everything that happened or that seeing you and Micah doesn’t kill me inside, but I realize I’ve got to get over it.”
I leaned back against the building and stared out into the black vastness. “In a perfect world, we wouldn’t have been thrown together like this. We could have been apart—given each other time to heal. But everything about this situation is wrong,” I said.
Kellan nodded. “You’re right. Plus, there should have never been a pageant to throw us together. I should have never been an arrogant jerk and picked you when you clearly didn’t want me to. Then, none of this would have happened.”
“I’m glad you picked me.”
“Excuse me?”
“I’m glad in a way,” I corrected. “If you’d never picked me, you and your mother would still be estranged, and your life would be in danger. My parents taught me a long time ago that bumps in the road serve a purpose. And that in every pothole, there is hope.”
“In every pothole there is hope?” Kellan repeated, his brows furrowed.
I giggled. “Yeah, you see you’re supposed to take the word ‘hope’ out of
‘pothole’.”
“Ah, I see now.” He grinned at me. “Cadence’s Words of Wisdom…I like it.”
I nudged him. “Watch it now.”
“Okay, okay. I get it. And I’m glad I met you, too.”
We sat there a few moments, staring into the dark. “So we’re friends now, right?” I asked.
He bobbed his head. “Yup, friends.”
When we went back inside, Maureen was already up and had taken another “refresher” bath. She and Artie were behind the counter, pilfering through the cabinets for something to make for breakfast. Micah had rolled over on his stomach and was snoring softly. As Kellan went to freshen up, I eased down on the mattress beside Micah. Gently, I brushed the shock of dark hair away from his face. “Wake up, sleeping beauty,” I whispered.
His brows furrowed as he struggled awake. I leaned over and planted a kiss on his cheek. When I pulled away, his eyes were still closed, but he was smiling.
“You’re not playing fair, you know. Here I am trying to be all nice to rich boy, and you’re throwing it in his face,” he whispered.
“For your information, it’s all good between us, now.”
Micah propped up on his elbows. “Really?”
I nodded. “We had a really good talk this morning. We’re going to be friends.”
“That’s good to know.” He peered over his shoulder and then over at the counter. “Where is he?”
“In the back.”
“Hmm,” Micah said, wagging his eyebrows.
I laughed. “Um, we still have an audience, you know.”
“I can live with that,” he said, as he brought his lips to mine.
The door blew open with such force the glass shattered. Ten armed soldiers stormed inside. Micah started to reach underneath the mattress, but a dark skinned guy who wasn’t in a uniform stopped him by pointing his rifle at him. “Okay, okay,” Micah murmured, putting his hands up.
My gaze flickered to the soldier next to him. It was a girl about my age. As I gazed at her further, she reminded me of the dark skinned girl from my dream.
Kellan came out from the back and skidded to a stop. “What’s going on?” he asked.
As if on cue, Roarke strode through the door, a cruel smirk on his face. “Good morning,” he called, pleasantly.
Silence permeated the room as none of us responded. Wagging a finger at us, Roarke said, “You all are not an easy group to locate, but fortunately, I had a little help.” He motioned to the dark skinned girl and boy. “Of course, they don’t really appreciate palace scum of any kind, but for the right price, anything is possible.”
“Are you here for us?” I asked.
Roarke peered down at me and then over at Micah. “You two? You’ll be dealt with in due time.”
“Then why are you here?” Kellan demanded.
“Why I’m here for you, of course,” Roarke replied.
Kellan’s eyebrows shot up while Maureen gasped. “Me? What could you possibly want me for?” Kellan asked.
Roarke laughed maniacally. “Because I’m about to dispose your father from power.”
My head reeled as scenes from my dream rocketed through my mind.
Kellan shook his head. “You should know me well enough to know I have no desire for politics, so there’s no reason to take me in.”
Roarke’s eyes narrowed. “Are you really that stupid boy? The only thing you represent to me is the hefty ransom I’ll get from your father. It will help to pad our administration’s pockets.”
“And if my father doesn’t pay?” Kellan questioned.
“Then I’ll simply take you to his cell, slit your throat, and let him watch you bleed to death right in front of him.”
When Maureen let out a strangled cry, Roarke turned to her. “You’re going to serve our purpose as well. We’re sure to rake it in from your brother bleeding dry the family trust.” He nodded at the soldiers who stepped forward and grabbed Kellan and Maureen.
I sat paralyzed as they tied Kellan’s hands behind his back. I hadn’t felt as powerless since my parents died. Roarke looked back at us. “Now, I’ll answer the question you posed earlier, Cadence. Even though I didn’t come for you, I can’t have you scampering about the countryside. So, my tracker friends here,” he motioned to the dark skinned girl and boy, “have very kindly offered to take care of the messy details of selling you two into slavery.”
He paused to survey our expressions. “Yes, I guess you wouldn’t know there’s a whole market for slaves these days. Can’t say I actually know what happens to you once you’re bought by someone, but I wish you all the best.” He grinned cruelly.
“What about him?” one of the soldiers questioned, jerking his head to Artie.
Roarke surveyed Artie’s mournful face. “He’s a useless coward and always has been, but now he’s a traitor to the cause.” He cocked his head, appearing thoughtful. “Kill him.”
“No!” Maureen screamed.
Artie could do nothing but stand frozen, crippled with fear. The soldier raised his gun and sent a single bullet tearing into Artie’s chest. He fell back against the countertop, crying out in agony, before slumping to the floor.
Tears stung my eyes at his lifeless form. Roarke’s face showed no emotion as he turned to the dark skinned boy. He reached in his suit pocket and took out his wallet. Snatching out a wad of bills, he tossed them into the boy’s face and then they fluttered to the ground. “You’ve been very useful. My administration won’t forget this kindness,” Roarke said.
The boy refused to answer him. Instead, he kept staring ahead while the girl beside him tucked her head to her chest. “I’m sure you’ll be able to get a fine price for them.”
Roarke said, gesturing in mine and Micah’s direction.
The bo
y gave a short bob of his head.
Roarke’s eyes narrowed at me. In a flash, he gripped me by the shoulders and jerked me up. “With her pretty face, I’m sure she’ll get an extremely fine price…and she doesn’t deserve that.”
With one hand, he reached into his jacket pocket and took out a switchblade. “I need to do a little work on you—make it where no one but the dregs of society would want to buy you.”
Before I could protest, the blade pierced my cheek. It drug along my jaw-line, and I felt a rushing spurt of blood. A scorching burn raged through my cheek, and I screamed. “Hmm, that’s better,” Roarke said, surveying his work. “A scarred beauty queen.” He calmly wiped the blade on a handkerchief and then put it back in his pocket. “All right, let’s go!” he shouted, as he started to the door.
Gripping my bleeding cheek, I watched as the soldiers pushed and shoved Kellan and Maureen to the door. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Evil couldn’t keep triumphing over good because every-time it did, it was like my parents dying all over again. Once again, I was completely and totally helpless. Devastated again.
And then, they were gone.
When the last boot heel stopped echoing in the distance, the dark skinned girl came to my side. “Here, let’s get you cleaned up.”
She took me by the elbow and led me over to the sink. I was careful not to look over to where Artie’s body lay—I was afraid it might truly send me over the emotional abyss. The girl gently started washing the blood from my face. Once she had cleaned it, she pushed a clean towel onto it. “Fortunately for you, Roarke has no skills with weapons. It doesn’t look too deep. We’ll have one of our medics look at it when we get to camp.”
“Thank you,” I murmured, still in shock at what had happened and from her kindness.
I staggered back over to the mattress and peered down at Micah. He sat frozen like a statue, staring at Artie’s crumpled form and the sea of red staining the floor. “Micah?”
He didn’t respond.
Kneeling down, I tugged on his sleeve and repeated, “Micah?”