Broken Protector

Chapter 9; Don't hide from me

I wake up the next morning, wrapped in Ryder's arms still. He was laying on his back, with me on my stomach against his chest. Ryder had a arm around me with my head nestled under his chin. I lift my head to look at his face only to jerk when his golden eyes clash with mine.

"Good morning, princess," he greets, smiling. I shift so I was leaning on my elbows, "Good morning," I mumble back shyly, hiding my face in his chest. I feel his chest rumble with vibration as he laughs, "Oh come on, don't hide from me!" He teases. I blush, peeking up at him through eyelashes.

A shy smile reaches my lips as I silently watch him. Ryder grins boyishly, his hand moving a strand of my hair back and tucking it behind my ear before cupping my face. "You're beautiful," He whispers to me once again. I let out a shy giggle and squeal in surprise when Ryder suddenly pushes me back so i was laying on my back with him hovering over me.

He had his boyish grin on as he stares into my eyes, "Got you," he teases playfully. I giggle when his fingers brush my ribcage. Ryder arches a eyebrow, a mischievous glitch entering his eyes, "Ticklish, are we?" My eyes widened just as he starts tickling me causing me to erupt in giggles.

"Ryder please!" I gasp between giggles, "Stop!" Ryder pauses, pretending think, "Hmm, nope!" He starts again and I squeal in laughter, pushing at his chest. "Ryder, come on!" I protested again.

"Hey guys?" Ayato calls through the door making Ryder stop. "Yeah?" Ryder answers, getting off the bed quickly. "One, breakfast is ready, and two, stop tickling Keeva to death," he says before walking off. Ryder chuckles at my flushed cheeks. He reaches his hands up and grasped the back of my head before leaning down and kissing my forehead.

"You're adorable," He tells me, leaning his forehead against mine. I smiled and try to followed him as he headed downstairs. "Ryder!" I called. He turns around, grinning sheepishly, "Sorry, Princess." Ryder retreats back to my side, turning around and crouching in front of me."Hop on," he orders.

I frown, "I could hurt you." Ryder chuckles, glancing over his shoulder at me. His golden eyes dance in a amusement, "No, you won't," he murmurs. I still hesitate as I climb on his back. My legs were wrapped around his hips, his hands holding me steady and my arms around his neck. "I'm not hurting you?" I ask, worried.

Ryder hoists me up more on his back, "Not at all, princess." Giggles escape me as he jogs down the stairs. "Woah, you two!" I hear Blake laugh as we pass him to the kitchen. Everyone looks up when Ryder walks into the kitchen. "Morning," he greets, letting me drop off his back.

"Well, that's something you don't see everyday." Ayato teases. Ryder flips up his middle finger making me gasp, "Ryder!" He turns to me, a unreadable look in his eyes and a arched eyebrow, "Remember what I said last night?" My heart sinks and bit down on my lip.

"What is it?" I mumble. He beckons me over and I shuffle over, sitting beside him. Ryder's hand slithers into mine as we shut everyone else out, "Princess, I know I'm selfish for not letting you go before you get hurt but I would never purposely put you in harm's way or force you to do something that causes you to suffer," he murmurs.

My blue eyes lift up to his, "I," my voice breaks and I flushed,regretting what I said yesterday, "Don't think that." I managed to spit out, "I just didn't know what to expect." Ryder gives my hand a gentle squeeze, "It's okay, Keeva."

Before I could say anymore, Carlisle clears his throat, "The dinner starts at 6:00 and we leave at 5:30. Each dorm house and their caretaker will drive in one car. " Ryder groans beside me, "Can Prin- Keeva and I take a separate car?" He growls. I also a hand over my mouth to sniffle the giggle that threatened to come out.

"Did you just almost call Keeva princess?" Ayato laughs. Ryder's enraged golden eyes snap to him and Ayato covers up his laugh with a cough. "No, Ryder, you and Keeva have to ride with the rest of us," Carlisle says. Ryder grumbles under his breath, playing with my fingers under the table.

I tense when Ryder suddenly pushes my hoodie sleeve up to trace my long scar than ran half way up my wrist to my palm, ending in a swirl. "Keeva, what is this?" He asks, pushing my sleeve up more and holding my hand in the light. I inhale sharply, fighting not to jerk my hand away from him, "Just a scar. It was a accident," I lied.

Immediately, his golden eyes flash with anger as he looks at me. "I believe I warned you about lying around me," he says gruffly. My cheeks heat up and I look away. "I can't tell you yet... okay?" I whisper softly, tugging my hand back from his grip. Ryder let's it go, "I'll see you later," he murmurs, standing up. I could tell he was still angry because he weren't meet my eyes as he leans down and kisses my cheek.

"Ryder-" I tried before Ryder held up a hand to stop me. "I respect your privacy but someone hurt you, Keeva," he sighs, his golden eyes searching mine for answers, "I just need to cool off, princess." I bit my lip before nodding, watching him leave the room.

******

"Keeva, You ready in there?" Riley asks. I nervously, grab my crutches, "Yeah." Glancing at my reflection once last time, I head out the door.

Ryder was talking to Carlisle when I appeared at the top of the stairs. Ayato catches sight of me and let's out a wolf whistle making Ryder's head snap up to glare at him but his eyes catch mine before he could.

Surprise fills his eyes as he gaps at me, "Holy shit," He mumbled, holding a hand out to help me down the next few steps. I smiled and look up at him than frowned at his strange expression. "Ryder, are you okay?" I ask, concerned. The boys sniggered around us when Ryder nods stupidly, "You look beautiful," He murmurs, pulling me to his side and dipping his head lower.

His lips brush my ear, "Drop dead gorgeous," he whispers huskily. I blushed, turning around in his embrace. Ryder grins down at me, his golden eyes going to my scar on my way to for a second before returning to my own eyes.

My eyes flicker down and I see he was wearing black jeans, leather jacket and a black button up. I giggle, "Can't drop the bad boy facade for even in night?" Ryder chuckles, "I have a reputation to uphold, princess," he teases.

Carlisle clears his throat than, smiling , "Time to go." Ryder's hand tangles with mine as he leads me out to the car.

I climb into the back seat with him, scooting over for Ayato. "Keeva, you look amazing," he tells me. Ignoring Ryder's low growl, I smile at him, "Thank you, Ayato." Ryder tenses when I pick up his hand, playing around with his fingers.

Turning his palm over, I trace it absently, getting lost in my own world. I let out a soft sigh, laying my head on Ryder's shoulder, watching as buildings pass.