Slide

19

They sat quietly around the fire for some time until everyone slowly dropped off to sleep. Ember and Slide were the only ones left awake, and they snuggled next to each other, staring into the flames.

With his warm body pressed against hers and his protective arm around her, Ember felt safe for the first time in days. She leaned closer so that she could hear the deep beat of his heart and the steady rush of his breath. For some reason, this feeling of safety made her think of the day the embassy was attacked.

“Thank God you came,” she whispered. “I didn’t know what to do. I thought we were all going to die.”

His arm tightened around her shoulders.

She sighed, closing her eyes as she remembered the screams, the insane noise of gunshots and bombs, as well as her father being shot while under his desk. The memory cut her to the quick, and tears poured down her face.

“I’m sorry,” she said, sitting up to wipe her face.

“Why are you sorry?” he asked, incredulous. “Don’t ever be sorry for your feelings. They make you the wonderful woman you are.”

She giggled through her tears. “I don’t think I’ve ever been called ‘wonderful’ before.”

“That is a true crime,” he muttered.

“Slide,” she said, calming herself, “how did you end up here? Why did they pick you for this mission?”

He looked into the dying flames of the fire. For a moment, she thought he might not answer. He took a deep breath and held it, refusing to look up at her.

“I used to live here, obviously, as you’ve met my uncle. My uncle knows the truth, but most people around here don’t. I’m a criminal, Ember.”

She felt her heart beat faster and harder. Her temples hurt. There was so much she didn’t know about this man.

What dark and horrible secrets was he about to reveal?

“The General ... Amadou, who captured you ... has ruled these lands with brutality and bloodlust for many years.”

He went quiet again, looking at the ground. Again, Ember thought he was going to stonewall her, but after a moment, he looked up at her again, and his eyes were glittering with pain.

“He killed my parents,” Slide said, the words harsh in his throat as if it hurt to say them aloud. “He didn’t just murder my family and torch most of my village. He also framed me for it.”

Ember’s breath rushed out in a harsh gasp. She put her arms around Slide immediately as if she could hug the hurt away. He was so tense under her touch that he was almost trembling.

“So, I ended up in the Supermax prison. The evidence against me was irrefutable. There was no point in trying to plead my innocence. I was promised my freedom if I rescued you. General Nydia knows more than she lets on. It would be the only way of freeing criminals like me.”

“Slide,” she cuddled him even tighter, but still being careful of his wounded ribs. “I can’t imagine … so they chose you because you know the area and Amadou?”

He nodded. She looked up and saw that his face was so tight, a muscle jumped in his cheek, but he didn’t say any more. She realized he must have come here looking for some kind of absolution, if not revenge. She didn’t want to think about it.

“I’m very sorry about your father,” he said, stroking her hair. She smiled, leaning into his touch.

“Thank you. He was a good man. He always tried to do the right thing.”

Slide smiled, leaning in to kiss her softly. “I have to say, I am very pleased to be out of prison and on a mission as worthy as this. If I had stayed locked up, I wouldn’t have met you.”

There was something in his eyes, in his voice. It touched her so deeply. It was as if her soul itself screamed for him, begged to be connected to him skin to skin. She blinked away the tears that pricked her eyes and caught his cheeks in her hands.

When she leaned in to kiss him, they both moaned. She felt goosebumps fly across her skin, making her shiver. All the horrible things she’d had to see and live through felt more than worth it right now.

To see him, to touch him. I’d give up my world for that.

She fell into his arms, feeling him wrap his hands around her waist and start to push her to the ground. She relaxed into his embrace, kissing him with complete abandon as his big hands explored her body. She arched her back, opening her legs and riding the sweet anticipation that came before the ecstasy of his touch.

There was a sudden, sharp cry from farther back in the cave. Both of them flew to their feet, expecting an attack. Slide sniffed the air, looking confused as he detected no intruder.

The cry came again. It was followed by a harsh cry from Anne.

“Oh, no,” Slide whispered.

“Hurry!” Anne screamed. “Ember, hurry! She’s in labor!”