Hearts of Stone: The Complete Series by Bridges Miranda

Author:Bridges, Miranda
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Building Bridges Publishing
Published: 2021-03-23T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

The floor of the jungle is covered in roots, pieces of rotten vine, and leaves. It’s like a rain forest and a regular forest mixed together. I have to watch my every step, not wanting to trip but also not wanting to step on a snake.

I heard about what those things did to Makayla, and she almost died.

Belvaire walks steady by my side with one of his warriors in front of us and the other two trailing behind. I know I shouldn’t worry so much about being hurt, but after my time spent in the forest during the journey… Well, seeing a woman die is enough to keep me vigilant forever. I didn’t know her, or anyone for that matter, but it didn’t make her death any less significant or horrific.

“Do you grow weary?” Belvaire asks. “Your breathing has become more labored.”

“I’m fine.”

Actually I’m not fine. My entire body is sore from the inside out. The tension pulsing in my shoulders makes my satchel feel heavier. The arches of my feet protest the numerous roots and rocks. And my vagina… Well, it got a semitruck shoved into it over and over less than a day ago, so it’s pretty irritated also.

But I’m not going to breathe a word of this to Belvaire. For some reason I want to appear capable. Ever since I arrived on this planet, I’ve had to depend entirely on someone else to stay alive, and it’s been a humbling experience but detrimental to my self-confidence. Not that my OCD hasn’t already obliterated it, but this brought me to an all-time low. There’s a need to prove to myself, and everyone around me, that I am strong.

I tighten my fingers around my bow and grip the strap of my satchel. I have everything I need to make this journey. As long as we don’t travel when the sun goes down. I’ve been eyeing that golden ball, just waiting for it to set so we can make camp for the night. Because we have to, or I might cry from exhaustion.

I am no match for a Boraq’s stamina. In or out of bed.

“Would you like me to carry your satchel?” he asks me.

My knuckles turn white as I squeeze the strap harder. “I’m okay.”

He sighs, and it’s full of exasperation. If the Boraq rolled their eyes, I’m sure he would right now. “You needn’t clutch your possessions as if I’m a thief waiting to take them from you.”

I lean close and lower my voice, my gaze darting to the warrior in front of us and then to the pair in the back. “I hold onto things to keep my fingers from twitching. It works most of the time.”

“Is that why you gripped my tail like you wanted to tear it from my body?”

I bite my lip and nod, feeling guilty. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just couldn’t bear to think of everyone seeing me… It’s embarrassing.”

“You didn’t hurt me, silana. Surprised me, but there was no pain.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.