Page 55 of If I Were Wind

I hugged her. “At least you were safe.”

“I wasn’t sure of that. I thought we were under attack and the manor was going to collapse while I was still trapped in that bloody room.” She wiped a tear. “Anyway, I shouldn’t complain. My ordeal is nothing compared to what happened to others. I guess I’m shaken and tired, like everyone is. I’ve been helping the nurses since I got out of the dispensary, and I’ve seen injuries that I don’t wish to see again.”

“Have you seen Nathan? I’ve lost him as well.”

Another shiver rippled through her. “He got injured. Not seriously though, but one of the guards hit him hard in the head when Nathan tried to reach the mill. He was knocked out and carried to the hospital.”

“Where is he now?”

She shrugged. “He was taken here, but left hours ago. Likely he’s back at the manor.”

“I’ll talk to him later. I have to go. Roy is waiting for me.” I squeezed her shoulder.

“Roy?” Her gaze narrowed.

“He was badly injured and needed me.” Ignoring her scowl of disapproval, I turned towards a shelf to grab a grey shirt and a pair of trousers. I could bet that she and Kenneth had something in common about their opinion of Roy.

“He isn’t your partner. Why did you have to take care of him?”

“He was dying. I couldn’t let him die, could I?” I snapped, accidentally baring my fangs.

She pressed her lips together and took a sandwich from a tray. “I guess not.” She strode out of the room, her long ponytail trailing behind her like a flag.

Frustration pricked my skin, but there wasn’t much I could do about Peggy’s dislike for Roy. I seized the first pair of trousers that would fit Roy and headed to the door.

Along the corridor, I stopped in front of a window. A red glow flashed from the mill, casting orange shadows on the grounds. Flames sizzled as if under hot coal, and a faint smell of smoke sneaked through the half-open window. The dying fire looked like a savage beast that was crouching, waiting to attack again.

Roy was towelling himself dry when I entered the room, his wet hair falling over his cheeks. “What’s wrong?”

Blimey. He could read me so easily. “I met Kenneth in the staff room. He was blathering something about your secret crime.”

He shrugged, showing not a hint of worry on his face. “I’m the spy master. Of course I have secrets.” He donned the shirt and the trousers over his black underwear. The darn fabric was too tight, showing every single sculpted detail of his buttocks and…front. It was a relief and a loss at the same time when he was fully clothed. He buttoned his shirt, brows drawing together. “Thank you.”

“For the clothes? There wasn’t much choice.”

“No, for saving me.” At each step he took closer to me, a wave of his body’s heat reached me. “Without you, I’d be dead.”

“You did the same for me. We’re even.”

The attraction between us was so thick, it was a miracle that I could breathe at all. But he didn’t kiss me again. He stepped back, a flicker of annoyance on his face, and finished dressing with a snappy gesture. “Let’s go.”

Orange and blue flashes lit the early morning sky as we walked back to the manor. An acrid smell similar to burned bleach lingered in the air, likely the chemical substances they used at the mill. From the baroque façade of the manor, every window glared with yellow lights. Where the hospital was quiet, the manor was a hive of fervent activity with clerks and cadets hurrying up and down the stairs. People threw curious glances at Roy as we climbed upstairs, but no one dared talk to him, aside from Bruce.

He skidded to a halt in the corridor and was cheeky enough to clap Roy’s shoulder. Cheeky according to Roy’s standard. “Mate, I’m glad you’re all in one piece. I was worried. Rumours spread fast.”

To my surprise, Roy smiled and returned the clap on the shoulder. “If I’m alive, it’s thanks to Kristin. Are you okay?”

“Only scratches.” Sadness crept into his voice. “What happened is unbelievable.”

“I’m sure we’ll get to the bottom of it.” Roy pulled him closer in a quick hug, patting his back.

Bruce’s mouth hung open, and his eyebrows shot up, hitting his hairline. His shocked face was so comical that a laugh snorted out of me, but I covered it with a cough.

“See you later.” Roy released him with a final pat.

“Thanks to Kristin.” Bruce blinked before smiling at me. “See you later.”

“You and Bruce are good friends,” I said after Bruce jogged down the stairs.

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