Fallen Angel [Bellamy Blake]

Chapter 33: a smile so freeing

The ride was agonizing—both from how long it felt and how much my body hurt. The Grounder insisted on taking a longer detour to ensure we weren't followed. Logical, yes—but it also gave Sebastian the advantage. Dawn was breaking, casting warm orange light through the trees. An ominously beautiful reminder that time was running out.

"KAT?!" I heard my friends' voices slicing through the forest. "KAT?!"

The Grounder slowed his horse to a stop. "This is as far as I can take you. I cannot risk your friends seeing me."

"You saved my life—twice. I won't let them hurt you," I whispered, more to myself than to him.

The light spilling through the canopy revealed his face more clearly. His eyes were a piercing blue, his sandy blonde hair curled around his face in soft waves. He wasn't wearing the face paint from the woods that day; he looked... almost human now, less wild, less intimidating.

He cleared his throat, and I realized I'd been staring. My cheeks burned with embarrassment.

"Your friends' voices come from that direction—toward your camp."

I nodded, following his finger pointed due north. He slid off the horse to help me down. The grimace on my face betrayed the pain shooting through my body. He handed me a set of knives and, kneeling before me, slid another jagged knife into my boot exactly where I normally kept it. His blue eyes met mine, intense and unwavering, and I felt an unexpected flutter in my stomach.

"What's your name?" I asked, before he could turn and leave.

The shouts of my friends were growing closer.

"Taron," he said simply, then mounted his horse and disappeared into the forest.

Left alone, I suddenly became painfully aware of my weakness. Blood soaked through the remnants of my clothing; bruises and cuts made every movement sear with pain. The bruise on my ribs made it hard to breathe. The gash across my abdomen made it almost impossible to walk upright. But I had to keep moving. I staggered toward the voices, forcing my legs to obey even as they trembled beneath me.

After what felt like hours, I leaned against a tree, utterly defeated. I didn't know if I could make it. My hands shook. My legs quivered.

"KAT!"

The voices were still distant. I forced myself forward, ignoring the burning agony in my body.

"Katherine?"

I looked up. The voice sounded too real to be a dream. A familiar figure barreled toward me, dark curly hair bouncing with every desperate stride.

"Bellamy..." I strained my voice, taking another staggering step.

He reached me, relief and terror etched on his face. In one fluid motion, he scooped me into his arms, carrying me bridal style. I let out a weak moan, pressing my face against him to make sure it was real. His freckles were just inches from mine.