Heart On Fire by Hall C. A

Author:Hall, C. A.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

I don’t know how long we sat up on the hill, but as soon as my adrenaline passed, I let go of my pelt. The area around my eye stung from the cooler air, but the scratches on my face would heal. As for the handful of welts on my arms and back, they weren’t nearly as bad as the injury I’d sustained the first day I stayed at Learah’s house.

“Here,” Learah said as she draped a shirt around my shoulders. “It isn’t much, but it should do for now.”

I tugged the fabric close to my neck and smiled my thanks. Before we left the house, Learah insisted on packing whatever she could. This included water, snacks, and an extra layer of clothes for when it turned cold. At the time, I was agitated and anxious to head out, but now that we were here and I no longer wore my pelt, I was thankful for her planning along with her company as I did my best not to stare at the other cat by my feet.

Deep lines marred his once-beautiful coat, his tawny fur stained in shades of red.

Hugging my arms around myself, I closed my eyes. Images from the fight flashed through my mind, causing me to jump when I felt Learah shift by my side.

“S-sorry,” I said as tears bit the backs of my eyes.

“Sorry? What for?” She carefully put an arm around me and held me close, stroking my hair when I leaned my head on her shoulder.

“Never should come.” My words shook at the end.

“No, I wanted to. It isn’t your fault there was another lion out here.”

I shook my head and closed my eyes tight.

I should’ve known better. In fact, I had known better, and yet, I’d brought her up here anyway.

“It’s okay,” she said as she stroked my hair. “You’re safe. We’re both safe.”

But you could’ve been killed. A sob broke through my lips, causing me to flinch from the sound.

“If you want, we can keep going.” She glanced up the path, then back at me again.

“No.” Even with her forced smile, I could tell she wasn’t ready.

She nodded gently, then let me go when I tried to sit up. “I should’ve packed a gun,” she said after a long moment. “If I did, none of this–”

“Can’t prepare for… for everything,” I said, cutting her off.

“But I know this area. I know the dangers I put myself in.”

“There was… a fire.” There was no telling what we would’ve found on our way up the trail.

“And things get displaced. I know.” This time when she looked at me, her smile was genuine.

“Still. Safe.”

“For now.” She paused and scanned the hillside, likely searching for another wild animal.

“Should go.” The sooner we headed back, the sooner we’d reach her home.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Her brows furrowed above her eyes as she spoke.

“Yes.” As good as I could’ve been given the circumstances.

“I’ll patch things up once we get in,” she said as she got to her feet.

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