Free Balance (The Neumarian Chronicles) by Ciara Knight Page A

to share that with Ryder.”
    “Lips are sealed,” I said , stifling a snicker.
    Penton bolted , leaving Raeth and me in the hall. She turned and faced me, her fingers touching her lips. “I’d die for him. I n-never knew I could love s-someone s-so much. He’s per-perfect in every way. I feel c-complete when I’m with him. Does that make sense?”
    I smiled and nodded. “ The best kind. I’m so happy for you.”
    A t a loud clang, I rushed back into the room and found Ryder hunched over the side of the bed. His shoulders heaved and his biceps strained against his cotton T-shirt.
    “What do you think you’re doing?”
    “Wanted some water,” he said between pants.
    I grasped his bicep and pulled him back onto the bed, not an easy fe at considering he was almost dead weight. “Then you call for me.”
    “Blasted injury. I’m done lying around in bed,” Ryder grumbled.
    “You’ve just woke up,” I said, trying not to scold, and retrieved the water from the shelf. “Keep doing things like this before you’re ready and you’ll rip out your stitches. Then where will you be, back in the infirmary under the watchful eye of Thornton. The only reason you’re not still in the infirmary is because I promised Thornton I’d keep an eye on you.”
    Ryder lowered his head like a scolded child. His dark hair fell over his forehead. It had grown out considerably in just a few weeks. His boyish features despite his massive frame melted my heart.
    “Perhaps tomorrow I can get a chair to wheel you around in.”
    Ryder sighed. “Can we visit Briggs? I’d like to take her son to see her.”
    What was it about this woman and her young boy? He always had to be saving someone. I wondered if now that Raeth had Penton and my father was back in my life—I swallowed hard and refused to finish the thought. “You care a lot about Lieutenant Briggs, don’t you?”
    “I owe her a lot. She’s the reason I’m alive. But it’s more than that.” Ryder’s large fingers toyed with the edge of the sheet. He frowned and his gaze looked far off.
    I sat by his side and took his hand in mine. “What is it?”
    Ryder forced a grin. “It’s just that, well, Briggs’s son reminds me of Raeth’s and my childhood. The general dragged us from our home, then forced us to watch him murder our parents. Afterwards, we were collared and thrown into a Neumarian Enslavement Camp. We were alone for a long time before Uncle found us. I’ve never been more lonely or scared in my life. I didn’t think we’d survive. At times I didn’t want to, all I felt was loss and pain. Then Raeth got sick, and with my collar on I couldn’t heal, at least, not then. Later I learned to use my gifts in spite of the collar. I don’t think I would’ve made it if I hadn’t promised my parents I’d take care of Raeth. I couldn’t fail them or her.”
    My throat tightened and I tamped down the sobs fighting for freedom. Swallowing hard, I lifted his hand and held it to my cheek, wishing to crawl into bed and cuddle by his side. “That’s one of the reasons why I love you. Your honor and commitment. Even as a child, you were strong, took care of your sister, and kept the two of you alive. Now, you want to save a little boy from a similar fate.” I closed my eyes and inhaled his scent. The clean smell of trees and sun was and always would be Ryder Arteres. It made my body strum, my heart sing, and my soul long to join with his. “I’ll take you first thing in the morning.”
    “Thank you,” he said in a husky tone. “I love you, too. You’re always there when I need you. You’re brave, kind, and most of all—”
    I waited but he didn’t say anything else so I let go of his hand and looked at him.
    He slid his hand around my waist and squeezed me toward him. Then that wicked, cocky grin of his broke free and he winked. “—Your hot body.”
    I smacked his shoulder . “You’re terrible. None of that until your stitches are out. See if wanting me