Forged in Fire (The Forged Chronicles Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

“What happened while I was gone? When I last left you, you were not upset.”
    “I still had the memory issues. Isn’t that what you are worried about?”
    “We need to talk this through. It will be easier upstairs.”
    “I prefer to walk when I talk.”
    “Since when?”
    “Since forever.”
    “You are making that up.” His face softened, and I got my first glimpse of the James I knew. Maybe he was all right after all.
    “Ok, maybe I am, but I need fresh air.”
    “Will you promise to stay with me?”
    “Where else am I going to go?” I had absolutely no where to go. After my own attempt at running away my first time in Energo I’d learned the hard way it wasn’t an easy place to navigate. There were dangers at every turn, including trees.
    “I want you safe.”
    “I want to be safe too, which is why we need to keep walking. These stairs are getting to me.”
    “You should have said that in the first place.” He swept me into his arms and carried me the rest of the way down the stairs.
    “You can put me down now.” I watched as he pushed open the heavy stone door.
    “It is no trouble for me to carry you.”
    “And I appreciate that, but remember part of this was so I got to walk.”
    “I thought it was more about the fresh air.”
    “The walking also helps.”
    He set me down on the ground gently. “It is impossible for me to deny you what you want.”
    “That’s not true.” I shook my head.
    “Sure it is.” He ran a hand through my hair.
    “You’ve said no to me before.”
    “When?”
    “You tried to stop me from coming outside.”
    “Because I was protecting you.”
    “You stopped me from going home when we first got to Energo.”
    “To protect you. Are you starting to see a pattern here?”
    “But what if the question was my safety or my happiness?” I wasn’t quite sure why I was pushing him, but I was.
    “You cannot be happy if you are not safe.”
    “That’s not true.”
    “Yes it is.”
    “It isn’t.” I put a hand on my hip. “Life involves taking some risks.”
    “Yes, taking risks. Like entering a new world. Not taking a risk like purposely putting yourself in danger.”
    “The fresh air is nice.” I looked up at the grey sky.
    “This area lacks the beauty of Belgard.”
    “Are you anxious to get back there?”
    “No.” He looked away.
    “Why not?” That wasn’t the response I’d been expecting.
    “Because I did not leave things on the best of terms when I left.”
    “What do you mean?” My chest tightened uncomfortably.
    “I knew you were in danger and turned to those I believed were friends.”
    “Charlotte and Liam?” I tried to follow his words.
    He nodded.
    “And they didn’t help?” That surprised me. At least the Charlotte part. Liam was harder to read, but Charlotte cared about James and valued him.
    “No.”
    “Why not?” I was surprised I hadn’t asked him about this earlier. It was all the haze. It was still there muddling my thoughts, but the fresh air did help.
    “Because they could not be bothered.” He kicked the dirt hard with his boot.
    “That doesn’t sound like the Charlotte I met.” She’d seemed eager to help anyone in need almost to a fault.
    “I’m sorry I even introduced you to her.” James’ face reddened.
    “Are you sure she understood?” I had no reason to defend the girl. She was far more James’ friend than mine, but I didn’t understand it. How could she have changed so quickly? Or maybe she hadn’t changed, and she was only looking out for herself? I thought about the voice in my dream. He’d told me to turn to Charlotte. How could I turn to someone who wouldn’t even help her friend?”
    “She understood. She knew I had little time but she suggested I wait. She refused to listen to reason so I was forced to go off on my own.”
    “You still found me.” I thought back on my relief when James had rescued me from the lake. I’d been terrified that my life was over.
    “I did. And I will always