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IARA
It takes me a second to realize where I am when I wake up. Then I snuggle in even closer to Rylan. He snorts gently in his sleep and pulls me in closer.
I dance my fingers up his chest. No response. I study the tattoos on his arm.Someday I want him to tell me what each one means,I think. When I look back up at Rylan, he’s no longer asleep.
“We should get going.”
Only part of me wants to do that. He nods. I get up in spite of my other part. Rylan grabs at my ass, but I shimmy out of his grasp. He puts his hands behind his head and watches me as I get dressed.
“I don’t know if you can win anymore.” I take longer to tie up my boots than I need to. “Backtracking to find me probably cost you too much time.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see a flash of blue. Then Rylan grabs my chin and lifts my face up, forcing me to look him in the eye.
“I think I was after a far greater prize when I went back.”
My shoulders relax. He gives me a brief but passionate kiss on the lips, then reaches for his pants.
“There is something we have to do though.”
He’s pulling up his pants, but I expect – hope – for him to drop them. He zips them up, and my disappointment is palatable.
“What is this other thing we have to do?”
“Find Renxel, of course.”
Of course?I think.
“Find him and do what?”
“Working on it.”
We whip up a quick breakfast. After we pack, Rylan grabs me by the shoulders. “I know these mountains really well. I can find him.”
“How long until we find him?”
“He’s got quite a bit of a head start, I’d imagine. He delayed you for nearly a whole day, after all.”
“Got it. Less talking, more walking.”
Even though I’m trotting the whole way, Rylan still has to stop and wait for me.
“He’s putting more distance between us, isn’t he?” He nods grimly. “You need to go ahead without me.”
“I’m not leaving you.”
“You need to get him. He can’t win after what he did. Don’t let him.”
He nods and takes out his own navigator. He taps on it before handing it to me.
“This is where I think I’ll catch up with him, if I leave now.”
“What are you waiting for?”
He takes off at a run. I clip Rylan’s navigator to my pack and follow. Two minutes later, he disappears behind a bend and I’m alone.
Alone, but not really.I’m coming and I want you to find Renxel,I think very hard.Oh, and I love you.I picture Rylan running as fast as he can down the trail and that thought coming through his consciousness. Will he stop and smile? No, he’s way too focused.
I walk alone for several hours. The trail is well marked and not too steep. Screw Renxel for making Rylan and I miss doing this part of the trail together. I hate him.
