by Coralee June
“Because you look like a princess,” I answered in a hushed tone. Her smile made Father’s open-palmed slap across my pale cheek almost worth it.
Chapter Eleven
Ashleigh, Present Day
Maverick and I developed a routine of walking to the Clinic together and sharing breakfast as the sun rose, while he observed his overnight analytics. Knowing that Maverick would crawl into his office and work himself to death gave me the resolve to keep him company despite my heavy eyelids.
I didn’t stay long this morning. The bakery was closed in observance of Pioneer day, and I wanted to walk around town. Besides, Maverick caught a lead on a particularly tricky gene and was so submersed in studying it that even my breathing was too loud for him. I saw his need to be alone and readily gave it to him.
Pioneer day was a holiday that recognized Cyler, Maverick, and Jules’ parents for their contributions to Dormas. I think the festive holiday was partly to blame for Maverick’s intensity. Although I wished I could comfort him, I knew his coping mechanism, although not necessarily healthy, was work.
As I walked around the square, I saw men joyfully chatting amongst one another. The mine and gardens were closed, so everyone took advantage of the freedom and beautiful weather. I recognized some of the Walker women that regularly frequented my Bakery. They happily spoke to one another and once again I wished I could form a deeper bond with them. I was thankful to be in the Black Manor, but I wish I could get to know and connect with some of my fellow Walkers.
I spotted Cyler and Jules at the end of the road and walked towards them. Mark Caverly, the General Store owner, was talking their ears off. I saw a proud smile on Jules’ face, but Cyler seemed to slump under the attention. As I got closer, I heard bits of their conversation.
“I met your father when he was just a wee boy!” Mark exclaimed with a chuckle. “He was always giving your grandmother a run for her money. He used to strip down naked in the square and piss on the sidewalk. Of course that was in the old town, before we had to relocate,” Mark said pensively while Jules let out a single hollow, laugh.
“Ah and your mother was a beautiful woman. She had many suitors but only your father caught her eye—that was before relationships diversified, of course,” he said with a wink. “She had a big heart. There was never a stray in Dormas, and everyone always had a home at the Black Manor. They both would be so proud.”
I noticed unshed tears in Jules’ eyes. She looked vulnerable and young in that moment. I often forgot that she, too, had lost loved ones. Once she saw me standing near, all tenderness fled her expression and disgust took its place.
“Hello, Happy Pioneer Day,” I greeted. Cyler turned to look at me, and I saw the sadness behind his polite smile. Today was difficult.
“Thanks, babe,” Cyler whispered. I noticed Mark grin and whisper to the man next to him at Cyler’s sweet nickname for me. Jules huffed and turned to walk away without sparing me even a glance, but in her brash brush-off, she ran smack dab into a shirtless Tallis. She gasped.
“Well hello there, Jules,” Tallis said with a grin. “You’ve got to stop bumping into me, some will start to think you’re doing it on purpose.”
Jules laughed nervously while peering around at us. Mark Caverly looked stunned to see the Scavenger leader, and the entire province went quiet with curiosity. Jules emitted a nervous laugh. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Move out of my way,” she ordered.
Tallis looked at Jules like she was a challenge he just accepted. His bright, wild eyes glistened with promise. He took a crooked finger and traced Jules’ elbow before bending over and whispering loud enough for me to hear. “You first.”
Jules scoffed at him, hiked up her dress, and then maneuvered herself around him after spitting in the dirt at his bare feet and cursing.
“Well that was interesting,” I murmured. Cyler closed the distance between us, ignoring his baby sister’s tantrum.
Tallis nodded in greeting towards us before making his way over to a group of chatting miners and Scavengers. The integration had a few prejudice bumps in the road, but it had mostly been smooth. Tallis moved with confidence, and his exotic features made the chatting Walker womens’ eyes grow wide with curiosity.
“You’ll have to excuse me, Mr. Caverly. It seems the person I was looking for found me.” Cyler hooked my arm through his and began walking down the street, diverting my attention from Tallis. People seemed to want to stop and chat with Cyler, probably providing commentary on his parents, but each time they got close, he leaned in to me and acted as though we were having a serious conversation.
“I’m sorry, babe. I’ll let you go once we get out of here,” he murmured as another man tried to approach us. We made our way towards the manor, but instead of going inside, Cyler directed me around the left side of the house towards a section of thick trees.
Once under the shady protection of the forest, Cyler released my hand and rested his forehead against one of the trunks. “Maverick gets to hide in his Clinic. Jules simply basks in the glow of the attention. Where does that leave me?” he asked while twisting his body and sliding down the trunk until he was sitting at the base. Cyler’s lips were pressed together, his dark eyes narrowed in frustration .
“Do you want to talk about it?” I asked. Cyler always seemed in control of his emotions. I could easily gauge what the others needed, but with him I felt unsure.
“One day, I want to tell you all about them. Mom would have loved you. She’d probably be arranging a marriage between us by now.” He chuckled. “I got my determined stubbornness from her. Dad would be running this province much better than I’ve done.” Cyler lifted one shoulder in a tentative half-shrug. “But I want to hide away today. Can we do that? I need a distraction.”
I wanted to argue with him. Cyler’s entire life was one big distraction. He worked himself to the bone, constantly shifting from one problem to the next, struggling to continue his parents’ legacy while avoiding grief. I wanted to urge him to confront his problems but had enough sense to recognize that now wasn’t the time.
“I’ll never get used to the trees here,” I said in an obvious attempt at changing the subject. “I used to think Galla was beautiful with all the tall, uniform, buildings. But now that I’ve seen the wild of the trees, I don’t think Galla can even compare.” I looked up at the large shaded leaves above us. Bursts of sunlight peeked through the gaps of the branches, causing beams of light to sprinkle across us.
Cyler smiled broadly, and a mischievous look replaced his grim frown. “I want to show you something. Are you up for a little exploring?” Cyler asked while standing back up. He dusted off his pants, grabbed my hand, and started pulling me towards the manor.
“I’m up for an adventure,” I replied with a smile.
We made our way towards the back of the manor where a bright-blue canvas tarp covered a large bundle. Cyler removed it and revealed an odd looking contraption. It had two circular, black inflated pieces of thick, ridged rubber connected by a seat and what appeared to be handlebars. It was all black and intriguing.
“It’s a motorcycle,” Cyler explained. “The old world used it as transportation. Tires haven’t been used in ages, but they make for a fun bumpy ride.” He slid what appeared to be a small, metal ridged rod in a miniature port hole while mounting the seat. He pressed a leg down forcefully on a lever at the bottom and the machine roared to life. It sounded like a guttural growl and was steadfast with such intensity that I couldn’t help but smile.
Cyler waved to me to join him, and I raised my merlot skirt above my knees while throwing my left leg over the seat. My feet rested on two protruding pegs on either side of the machine. I pressed close to Cyler, and he grabbed my hands, wrapping them around his abs. I felt the ridge of his muscles beneath the thin material of his black shirt. The closeness made me want to take advantage of his nearness and run my fingers along the crevasses of his muscles.
“Hold on, babe,” Cyle
r said, and then we took off.
It took a moment to get used to the strange sensation. Wind pressed against me, and I learned to move with Cyler as we took each turn. He increased his speed once we hit a long strip of open space, and I squealed in delight, causing Cyler to shake in laughter. It felt truly freeing to be with him in that moment. Nothing else mattered.
As we traveled, I noticed a city in the distance. Grass and shrubs were overgrown, and metal buildings were scattered between the trees and plants. I realized instantly that this must be the old Dormas, before X hit and they had to relocate. Cyler drove through it, and I peered at the dead city with sadness. Cyler’s rigid frame hinted that he, too, felt the ominous feel of the old town.
As he continued to drive, each bump in the road made me feel like I was going to fly off the contraption. Soon, we arrived at a large abandoned house that looked nearly identical to the Black Manor. He parked the motorcycle and we dismounted. My legs wobbled from the intense vibrations and the adrenaline. Cyler wordlessly led the way around the house and towards the back, while I followed and avoided the large shrubs that tickled my ankles.
Finally, we arrived at a large tree. A strip of wood that looked like a ladder was bolted to the tree’s trunk.
“Time to climb, babe,” Cyler instructed while stepping on the bottom ledge and ascending the incredibly large tree. I followed suit, despite the pounding fear within me. It wasn’t the height that made me nervous. It was the sight of Cyler’s flexing muscles as he gripped each ledge and how utterly alone we were.
I followed him, and by the time we reached the top, I was out of breath. Cyler pulled me through an open hatch, and I found myself standing on an enclosed platform. It was a small room within the canopy of the tree. Abandoned toys that were faded or rusted littered the floor, and I noticed a sign on one wall that said “No Girls Allowed” which made me grin in amusement.
I pointed to it. “Should I leave?” Cyler saw what was making me laugh and immediately chuckled.
“You’re no girl, Ash. You’re all woman,” he said in a smoky tone that made me flush and the temperature increase by at least ten degrees. “My father and Kemper’s grandfather built this for us. We had a lot of adventures here.” Cyler chuckled while looking around. He had to crouch low, as the ceiling was about six feet tall. “Jules was always thinking of ways to sneak in.”
I made my way over to a window and gasped. From here, I could see the tops of the trees. Sunlight danced along the leaves, and birds flew overhead. My sight stretched as far as the deadlands, and I noticed a green haze in the air off in the distance.
“It’s so beautiful, Cy,” I whispered.
“I’m glad I could show you this.” Cyler walked behind me and wrapped his arms around my stomach, pulling me close. This felt so intimate, almost like a date. Cyler and I were two magnets with an incredible pull.
“Thanks for coming here with me, Ash,” Cyler said while trailing his fingers lower on my hips. He dug into my plush skin where my smoke-colored top had ridden up. I considered pushing my hips back in response to see if Cyler would push into me. If he would turn me around and kiss my aching lips.
“Cyler—I want . . .,” I trailed off. Unsure of what to say. I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted to feel him against my warm skin and trace his lips with my own. I desired it all.
I wasn’t worried about the boundaries they’d drawn to protect their group. I wasn’t thinking about the consequences, Josiah, or the fear and sadness. I didn’t think about anything. My mind was a blank canvas, and I wanted Cyler to breathe color into my life.
Cyler sucked in a deep breath and gripped me tighter. I felt like molten lava, flowing with heat and destruction under his heavy, possessive hold. His lips kissed the spot under my ear, and I felt bumps of sensation trickle through every square inch of my body. His kisses traveled lower towards my collarbone.
“I know what you want, Ash,” Cyler began between kisses. “And fuck I want to give it to you.” One of his fingers dipped beneath the band of my skirt, and I gasped. It lingered dangerously close to the edge of all the things I wanted but couldn’t have.
“I want to love every part of you. Kiss and lick your delicious skin until you’re screaming my name.” His words ignited a passion within me, and I squirmed under his hold. I tried to turn around and close the distance between us, but he held me steady, disallowing me to move. “I promise that I’ll worship your body the way it deserves,” he said while pulling me tighter against him. I felt his hardness against the curve of my butt, and heat pooled in my center. “But not until I speak with the others,” he said with regret while pulling away from me.
The mention of the rest of the guys drenched my senses with shame. What was I doing? I slumped in embarrassment and put my hands over my face.
“Don’t close off from me now, babe,” Cyler begged. He grabbed my shoulders and turned me so that we were facing one another. “This,” he said while pulling my hands from my face, “is just beginning. We will be together. Don’t look ashamed or embarrassed, trust me.”
“Okay, I trust you,” I said, still feeling the effects of his stare.
“I just want to do this right. I want to go into this without any regrets. You don’t deserve anything less.”
We hurried out of the treehouse and rode back to Dormas. I felt confused but still exhilarated by my trip with Cyler. I was gifted with a glimpse into his life, and I clung to it. I just didn’t know how to move forward, how to jump the line and free fall into my desires.
Chapter Twelve
The General Store was rather busy this morning. The Walker women that worked in the gardens passed our shop daily, and all but Jules walked in to buy muffins or bread from me. If Jules wasn't pretending I didn't exist, she was gossiping to the other Walker women about me. Jules thrived on feeling important and belittling others. It made it challenging to build friendships outside of the guys.
Other than the occasional confrontation with Jules, my days slipped into a comfortable routine of spending spare minutes with Cyler, Jacob, Maverick, Patrick, Kemper, and sometimes, even Huxley—if he was in a good enough mood. When I wasn't at the Bakery, I was traveling between them, trying to assist where I could to ease some of their burdens. Cyler refused to let me take a night watch shift at the mines, but he couldn't stop me from bringing dinner to the guys that were working.
I was constantly amazed by their tenacity. Cyler acted as a diplomat, continually listening to the problems of his citizens and finding compromises between them. Jacob's work at the train station kept the General Store well stocked, and he was always scrounging the Empire for the best ingredients for my creations at the Bakery. When Maverick wasn't attempting to replicate the X vaccine, he ran a full-fledged Clinic, where he saw at least two citizens a day. Huxley and Patrick, although vastly different, worked in the mines with seamless proficiency. Most men in the province worked there, and they found just the right line between being their superior and being their friend. Once a week, Huxley ordered desserts from the Bakery to treat their seventy-five workers. And Kemper? Kemper fixed everything.
Today, Kemper set aside the entire day to fix the Bakery's oven so that it was level, and that had me bouncing with eager energy. I was so excited to spend the whole day with him that I burned a whole batch of chocolate chip muffins, as well as Lois’ patience. Like all of them, he was overworked. His small team of builders were working overtime to get each Walker immigrant a cabin of their own.
When he wasn't building, he spent his evenings fixing things around the community. Last week, he built a ramp for one of the elderly community members that used a wheelchair. He coordinated so much but rarely took credit for it. Kemper simply saw a need and fulfilled it.
When he arrived, he looked tired but just as happy to see me as I was to see him. He wore tight denim that clung to his tall, slender, frame.
“Hey, Ashleigh,” he said in a cheerful voice. He carried a forest-green toolbox that clanged with each
step he took.
“Hey, Kemp, I’ve missed you.” I walked into his open embrace. He nearly dropped his toolbox at the force of my hug.
“I should move my office closer to the town center, so I can see you more. These team builds and province repairs are brutal,” he replied while letting me go and rubbing his forehead.
Brutal indeed. Aside from my mornings with Maverick, it felt nearly impossible to steal time away with any of them. If I wanted to see them, I had to roll up my sleeves and help.
“I cleared my day, though. I was hoping that maybe after we get your oven situated, you could maybe teach me how to bake a cake? You know—since the one I made for your birthday was such a disaster.” He gave me a deprecating grin that made me chuckle. “Of course, if you’re busy or—or something, I could, uh, leave.”
“Spending the day with you sounds lovely, Kemp. And . . . it wasn’t that bad. I’m just amazed that you managed to both undercook and overcook it. That takes true skill.” Somehow Kemper had burned the exterior of the cake, but uncooked batter had still oozed from inside.
Kemper laughed, and we maintained a playful conversation between us while he worked on the oven. I watched him with giddy greedy eyes as he worked. He was methodical in the way he approached a problem. Examined it from every angle while biting his lip in concentration. His attentiveness made me wonder if he approached everything with that much care.
Once he was done leveling the oven and cleaning it, he tinkered with a few other things that needed fixing in the Bakery; adjusting a sliding door, greasing a drawer. He inspected every inch of the Bakery until there was nothing left that needed improving.
“Are you done prolonging the inevitable?” I asked with a smile while pulling out the recipe for chocolate cake. Despite knowing it by heart, I wanted Kemper to reference it since it was his first time making it.
