Love Among The Ruins-Chapter 58

NADINE’S P.O.V

His leg wasn’t healing- at least not the way it was supposed to.

It had been a week and although he would never admit it, he was still in terrible pain. The wound wasn’t closing the way it should and unfortunately, I had no idea what was wrong.

I did everything by the book, I cleaned it and changed the wrappings as best as I could but the truth was that we were in the middle of nowhere. I couldn’t account for bacteria and there were no antibiotics.

"We have to leave today," Rowan said as soon as I walked into the cave, my hair dripping from the small dip I took.

"Excuse me?"

He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "We can’t stay here forever. We’re on a time sensitive mission, remember?"

"I don’t give a fuck about the time. You’re not ready."

"I may never be ready."

"If we keep moving, your leg may never heal like it’s supposed to. We can’t risk it."

"Too bad because I already packed. We’re leaving now."

He didn’t give me the chance to protest, he pulled himself to his feet, careful not to put too much weight on his injured leg. He tried to hide the gritting of his teeth but I saw it, I saw how he winced with each step that he took. I knew I couldn’t convince him so I said nothing, choosing instead to get dressed.

I pretended not to see anything as he popped painkillers into his mouth and he pretended not to notice as I grabbed both bags before he could. If we were going to do this, we were doing it on my terms and not his.

I helped him out of the cave much to his annoyance and we started moving.

We moved twice as slow as we normally would because of his leg. I couldn’t imagine the pain he was in with each step but he was too prideful to admit it. I stood next to him, making sure I was within reach if he were to fall over.

After a few minutes of walking, a light sheen of sweat had gathered on his forehead.

"Do you want some water?" I asked but he shook his head. "Rowan-"

"I’m fine," he hissed out. "Let’s keep going."

I rolled my eyes at his stubbornness and shoved my bottle into his hands. He murmured something about not wanting water but that didn’t stop him from drinking it. I wanted to call the whole thing off, I wanted to drag him back to the cave but Rowan was stubborn as hell and there was no way I would win that fight.

One thing I knew how to do was pick my battles so I waited. I waited until we had walked for a while before stopping in my tracks.

"I want to take a break," I told him and he frowned. "I’m tired."

"If this is your way of trying to get me to rest."

"Why does everything have to be about you?" I asked as I lowered myself to the ground. "I’m not used to walking long hours."

He hummed, clearly not believing me, but to my relief, he didn’t fight it, he just lowered himself to the ground with a deep sigh. I placed our bags under his leg, elevating it a little and judging by the sigh of relief that left his lips... he appreciated it.

We sat there, our backs against a tree as we tried to catch our breaths. I placed my hand in his and lowered my head to his shoulder. He stiffened for a second before pressing a soft kiss to my hair.

"If the bunker isn’t here-" he began but I cut him off.

"We don’t have to worry about that right now."

"Yes, we do. I don’t even remember how long we have until your implant expires."

"That doesn’t matter."

"Nadine, please." He sighed deeply. "If we don’t find the bunker here, I need you to leave me."

I rolled my eyes. "I thought we already had this conversation."

"My leg isn’t going to heal, Nadine. We don’t have the resources to do so and I’m going to slow you down. I’ll go with you back to town but either you leave me or I’ll leave you."

I hated how my eyes got blurry at his words. "I’ll strap you to the fucking bed then."

His lips quirked. "You know it’s the right thing to do. Your story doesn’t need to end because of me."

"You saved me." My voice cracked. "Let me do the same for you."

"No, I won’t risk your life, princess."

I wiped at a stray tear. His fingers wrapped around my chin, tilting it up so I was facing him and he kissed me slowly.

A sob caught in my throat because I knew exactly what it was and I’d be damned if I let him tell me goodbye with a stupid kiss. I wasn’t giving up on him, not right now, not when he never gave up on me.

I wanted to speak but the sound of a twig snapping caught my attention and I pulled back from him. I rose to my feet but when he tried to rise, I held up a hand to stop him.

"Nadine, get down," he hissed but I ignored him.

"Someone is out there."

"That is exactly why you should get down."

I heard rustling followed by what sounded like footsteps.

For a moment, I was stunned and confused, and then, I headed for the trees. Rowan called out to me but I ignored him. If there was someone here, hopefully they would be able to tell us where the bunker is.

I had just taken a step between the trees when I felt something sharp at my side. "Move and I’ll kill you."

I was positioned in a way that Rowan couldn’t see the weapon at my side unless he stepped closer. Whoever this man was, he was smart. He watched us and made sure to isolate me.

"I don’t want any trouble," I began but the man snorted.

"Drop your weapons."

The voice sounded familiar but also different. His face was covered by a mask and he was dressed in fighting leathers.

"I’m not armed."

"Liar," he hissed, digging his weapon further into my side. "I could kill you and your friend. Who are you?"

"That’s a rich question coming from the guy in a mask. Take it off."

"Nadine!" Rowan called out. "What’s going on?"

"Nothing, I’m fine, stay there!" I turned back to the assailant who had stilled. "What?"

"Nadine?"

"That’s my name. What’s it to you?"

There was silence for a moment before he tugged off his mask. I recognized him immediately. I knew the blond hair although the last time I saw it, it was in boyish curls. His bright eyes looked like they had seen things and his face was sharper, older even.

"Joshua? What are you doing out here?"

"Fuck, Nadine. Where have you been? We’ve been looking for you. Your father has been so worried."

"My father?"

"He’s at the bunker, I can take you right now. Come on."

He tugged my arm but I ground my heels into the ground. "We need to take Rowan too."

"Who?"

"Caine," I gestured to him. "He was my guard at the bunker, remember?"

Joshua pursed his lips. "I don’t know if I’ll be allowed to-"

’Either we both come or neither of us comes."

"He’s hurt, Nadine, he’ll die."

"I’ve told you my offer." I took a step back. "Choose."