Last Shadow || Deception Book III

Chapter 7 Pt.I

Luke 

It was the smell of something cooking that woke me up. And then I heard the crackle and pop of wood in flame, and my eyes blinked open to see the blue sky yawning over me.

"Finally awake?" a voice said from behind me, sounding amused. "Good morning, Luke."

"Ri?" I whispered, slowly sitting up from the blanket I was lying on. "You're back."

"What do you mean, I'm back?" Soft footsteps sounded and Ri's face was suddenly in front of me, her sharp green eyes scanning my face intently. "Did you get amnesia in your sleep or something?" She knocked on my head. "Luke, are you okay?"

I stared at her for a moment, then groaned as last night flooded back to me. Groaned as the memory of how I suddenly lost control over my emotions and started blabbering away, blaming Ri for things that weren't her fault. Guilt and regret swept over me as I recalled the way her eyes had shone with tears, which had spilled down her face because of me.

"Luke," Ri whispered before brushing her lips over mine. "Stop thinking. I'm fine."

"I just . . . I thought that I might have lost you, and I couldn't bear thinking about a life where you weren't by my side. I was angry at myself and I took it out on you. Because you're constantly putting yourself in danger and it's all my fault." I took a deep breath and pulled her into a hug. "Sorry, I didn't mean to say those things. It's not your fault; it's mine for getting you into this mess.

"I thought we agreed no more apologies," Ri muttered, snuggling into my arms. "There's nothing to forgive. Now come on, breakfast's going to be cold."

I raised my head from her shoulder to look at the crackling fire and the spit she'd constructed. "What-"

"Consider it my apology for leaving without telling you," she mumbled into my chest. "I also went to forage wild berries."

A laugh burst out of me, and I pulled away from her, shaking my head. "Hypocrite," I tsked.

"Don't eat it, then," she grumbled, standing up and walking over to the fire.

"Hey, I never said that!" I called, scrambling up. "My girlfriend grilled fish for me; I have to try it."

Rianna scowled, but her eyes were shining as she handed me one of the fish. "You better finish it. I woke up at five to go catch the salmon and fillet it."

"Thanks," I said as I took it. "But you really shouldn't have."

"I wanted to," she smiled softly, turning her attention back to the fire. "I wanted to do something for you."

I stared at Ri, taking in the soft shimmer of her hair as it fell over her shoulder, the slight furrow in her brow as she watched the fish, the slim set of her shoulders that masked a ferocity equaling a lion, and grinned as her emerald eyes met mine.

"Have you stared long enough?" she questioned, her lips curling into a smirk.

"No," I replied and bit into my fish, keeping eye contact with her the whole time. "There's no 'long enough' when it comes to you."

She made a face, something between a grimace and a scoff and ducked her head, though I caught the small smile on her lips. "We'll leave right after this," Ri said a moment later, taking her fish out of the flames and blowing on it before taking a bite.

I sighed, all mirth disappearing, and scanned the arching palm trees, their branches swaying in the gentle breeze, before staring at the white, sandy beach. Ri caught my gaze and together, we turned towards the sparkling blue ocean which stretched towards the distant horizon below a cloudless blue sky.