With Love And War- Book Five In The United Series

Chapter Twelve

Max's POV:

The Hippocampus swims Rexicus and I far from the Anubis. Before I know it, Rexicus groans in pain. I look down at him and realize that he's shirtless, and most likely freezing cold.

I take off my black leather jacket and wrap it around Rexicus's shoulders. His dark eyes open and he quickly realizes that we're definitely not on the Anubis anymore. He looks down and his eyes widen when he sees the Hippocampus we're riding.

"What the fu-?!" Rexicus starts, stopping when I place a hand on his shoulder.

"It's okay, Rexicus," I comfort him. He looks back at me and narrows his eyes.

"How do I know you're not Setrákus Ra in disguise?" He asks me cautiously. I think for a moment.

"On the Anubis, you told me that you helped Adam find the Chimeræ at Plum Island," I recall and Rexicus looks satisfied with my answer. He pauses for a moment before asking me another question.

"And what is this?" He asks me, pointing down at the Hippocampus.

"A Hippocampus. He's helping us," I answer. Rexicus looks at me like I'm insane, one eyebrow raised.

"I'll explain later," I add in. Rexicus nods his head, still looking at me like I'm crazy, which I probably am.

"Um, this is yours," Rexicus points out, taking off my leather jacket and handing it back to me.

"I know," I reply, lightly pushing it back to him. Rexicus looks at me gratefully and wraps my jacket around his shoulders again. I notice he looks extremely tired, his body slumping forward, so I grab his shoulders, startling him, and push him back towards me so his head is resting on my chest.

"What are you-" he starts but I cut him off.

"You look tired," I inform him. He tries to get up but I push him back.

"I don't want to sleep," he replies and I chuckle.

"But you have to," I reply.

"Why?

"Because I told you to."

"Heh. So I just have to listen to everything you tell me to do now?" Rexicus teases me and I chuckle.

"Exactly," I joke and Rexicus chuckles. "Just go to sleep, Rexicus." He pauses for a second.

"Just call me Rex," he tells me. I smile as Rex rests his head on my chest.

"Thanks by the way. For helping me and the other Garde," I thank Rex. He gives me a small smile, his coal black eyes closed.

"And thank you for saving my life back on the Anubis," Rex replies.

I smile again and before I know it, I'm falling asleep next to Rex.

---

I wake up to the sound of splashing water and I open my eyes to see I'm still on the Hippocampus, the sky still dark. I feel a beating heart from behind me and notice that Rex changed our positions- now I'm lying on his chest.

"Morning, Sleeping Beauty," Rex tells me.

"Shut up, Rex," I reply, playfully pushing him away from me. He chuckles and plays with my hair from behind.

"Your hair is almost fully red, but a bit of it is black. What's up with that?" Rex asks me.

"I dyed it black to hide from the Mogs," I answer, allowing Rex to fiddle with my hair.