Page 46 of Juniper Unraveling

“Wren.” His tone is calm, much calmer than I expect for the hard expression on his face. “Have you looked out in the pole barn?”

Wiping the new tears from my cheek, I nod. “Earlier. But I’ll look again. I’m going back to the woods.”

“The Legion will be out tonight—”

“Which is why we have to find him! They’ll kill him!”

His gaze falls, and he shakes his head. “They won’t kill him. He’s too important to them.”

The information paralyzes my muscles, managing to distract me, in spite of the urge that calls to me to keep searching. I’ve yearned to know more about Six. So much so, I’ve spent the last week trying to teach him to write, just so he can communicate these things to me himself.

“Why? What do they want with him?”

From his pocket, Papa tugs a cigar and lights it up, the savory scent hitting the back of my throat. “He was trained to be a very powerful weapon.”

“By … by whom?”

“Survivors have gotten word about our community. We’ve already diverted a number of raids. Raids you’ve remained blissfully unaware about behind these walls. We need to build our army. To defend our home.”

“By torturing innocent human beings? I can’t just leave him out there.”

He huffs a sigh and shakes his head. “Believe me when I tell you, wherever Six has gone, he’ll be fine. He’s trained to survive in this climate. You’re exhausted. You need rest. We’ll look for him first thing in the morning.”

“But he …” Tears fill my eyes at the thought of him alone in the dark, shivering with his nightmares. “I’m scared for him.”

“Don’t be. Whoever comes upon him has far more to fear. I promise you, he’ll be okay.”

I wipe the tears from my cheek and nod. “Okay, Papa.”

He’s right. Not having eaten, or drank, anything most of the day has taken its toll on my body, and I can hardly keep my swollen eyes open.

“Go rest. I’ll get up early before I head out and hike the perimeter for him.”

With a nod, I drag myself up the staircase, every muscle groaning with the climb. In the bathroom, I twist the knob of the sink to wash my face and brush my teeth, disheartened to find the water has shut down for the night. Closing the door, I peel out of my damp clothes, and climb naked beneath the light cotton sheet that cools the thin layer of sweat coating my skin.

As another round of tears threatens to pull me deeper into my misery, I close my eyes.

***

The tickle at my arm yanks me from the void, and my eyes flip open until I’m staring at Six’s sleeping face. Lifting my head from the pillow, I frown, focusing on him, wondering if I’m still dreaming. I scan the room to the open window, where the long white curtains flutter in the wind.

When I lie my head back down, Six’s eyes open, and I’m staring into a sea of blue.

“You came back.” His form blurs behind the tears that once again well in my eyes, and I can only guess it’s the relief of seeing him that crashes over me.

He thumbs a tear that slides down my temple and pulls my hand into his chest.

“I thought something happened to you. I thought you’d left me for good.” The emotions take over, and I sob, silently chiding myself to pull it together. Everything seems to be colliding inside of me, though, a cacophony of noise in my head that won’t settle even at the sight of him.

As if my mind hasn’t accepted that he’s here now.

Then his lips press into mine.

Those soft, full lips seize me, and everything, all the noise, fades away to the sounds of his kiss. Mouth open, his tongue samples my lips, pushing past my teeth. Pressure hits the back of my head where his fingers tangle in my hair, and he grips my skull, smashing me into him. The taste of sweet berries and figs lingers on his lips, and I suck it from his flesh. The growl in his throat rumbles against my mouth, and his fingers curl to a tight fist in my hair.

I feel dizzy with excitement, savoring the feel of his tongue on mine, and his lips closing off the air, and it’s then I realize I don’t want to breathe again.

A harsh exhale blasts from his nose, and his hands cup my face, fingers splayed across my jaw. I think of the day I watched him eat the fruit, how focused and intense he looked, holding it in his palms, and that’s how he’s kissing me now. As if he’s been starving for it.