Changing of the Glads by Joy Spraycar Read Free Book Online

see it. They laughed together, loved each other, and been in each other’s arms. Her heart testified these were real.
    Something stronger than anything she’d ever experienced brought moisture to her eyes. She wiped at them with one finger and marveled that, for a Glad, she’d shown more emotion in this last hour or so than in the last fifteen years.
    “I...” She wanted to say the words, the same words he’d said, but they felt foreign, stilted. 
    “It is all right. I feel it. No need to say what your mind is not ready to acknowledge.”
    “But –”
    “Hush now. Eat and save your strength. We have only a bit of time here before we must run. They have discovered our treachery and will soon be after us.”
    That’s right! They weren’t really free yet. No one got away with damaging a Clubber without suffering the crushing stones. They not only damaged one, they’d done away with a whole arena of them – an entire arena of Clubbers, plus all the guards, Armors, and trainers in the facility. The punishment would be merciless. They would be hunted and brought back, tortured, and crushed, and then laid out for everyone to see. Zalphia saw it happen once, and it wasn’t pretty.
    “Do not worry, my love. I will never let them have you.”
    His essence spilled into her mind, driving away the pain and fear with the soft emotion he called peace.
    Sighing, she let the meat drop from her hand and wrapped her arms around him. They didn’t even meet behind his back.
    He sat between her and the rest of the world. A solid fortress of a man – hard and unforgiving on the outside but kind and loving deep inside.
    Safety and security rolled over her and settled deep inside. Even in her dreams she’d never felt so loved and protected, and they couldn’t compare to what he now offered. No, leaving would never be an option. He had become the thing she would fight for. The feeling she wanted to feel. With him, the thought of another day carried excitement and joy. Freedom meant being by his side and sharing his life.
    She didn’t remember him laying her back down, but when she awoke, she again lay in the makeshift bed.  Maximillion’s chest warmed her back. Her head rested on one bicep, and his other arm curled around her, holding her protectively against him. Air tickled the top of her head as he gently exhaled each slow breath. She snuggled closer.
    Maximillion tightened his grip. “Are you all right?”
    “Yes. Oh, yes. You’ve saved me.”
    “No, it is you that rescued me.”
    “How can that be? You could’ve killed me in the arena, no contest. I already knew that if you wanted, you would be the victor.”
    “You still do not understand. If you are gone, there would be nothing left for me. I would be an empty shell, and the warmth would flow out. You are my all.”
    Her lips rose at the corners. She truly didn’t understand what he was saying, but it no longer mattered. What he offered was safety and freedom, and she would enjoy every moment of that with him. She turned and placed her ear against his chest, and his arms encircled her. The slow plodding of his heart sang a rhythmic lullaby. Thump, thump. Thump, thump. 
    She marveled when she realized hers was keeping perfect time. Maybe there was something to what he said about being one, but she was too tired to think about it anymore. Closing her eyes, she slipped back into that perfect place he’d created for the two of them.

CHAPTER 5
     
     
    Morning dawned cool and crisp.  One foot lay against the moist ground, sending a chill creeping up Zalphia’s leg and waking her with a shiver.  Gone was the sumptuous heat of Maximillion’s chest against her back.  Gone were the protective arms that promised protection and safety.
    Zalphia bolted into a sitting position.  The dancing flames had long since faded, leaving only blackened rocks and ash where the comfort of the fire had been.  She scanned the banks of the stream and trampled grass around the bed