Encounter

My heart drops as I look into Ryder's clear ice blue eyes. I can see my own reflection in them as my mind races. Ryder is watching me with amusement. I'm sure he knows I'm scared, I'm not really hiding it. He pulls me closer by the necklace he holds and I stumble slightly. His grin grows as he says "I didn't expect you to be so attractive. I see now why Rune has taken such an interest in you."

I slowly let out the breath I didn't know I was holding and shiver as I see my breath. It was then I realized the surrounding air had become bone-chilling cold. He reaches for my face and even though I wanted to step back, run and scream.. I couldn't move. His large hand was surprisingly gentle as he runs his thumb across my jaw and to my lips never once looking away from my eyes.

His fingers were like ice and it felt like his touch burned. My soul wanted to shrink away... like it was literally trying to separate itself from my own body just to get away from his gentle cold touch. It looked like he was about to say something else but he suddenly stops and looks up. His dark grin didn't quite reach his cold eyes as he turned them back to me.

"Looks like our first meeting will have to end here. I look forward to seeing you again Syn." Ryder says and shifts away. As soon as he disappeared my shaky legs could no longer support me and gave out. Strong warm arms marked with dark wicked looking runes wrapped around me immediately chasing away the biting chill that Ryder brought with him.

I turn to him and burry my face in his strong chest and take a deep breath of him.. of Rune. My soul settles and I feel like crying and laughing at the same time. Ryder was terrifying. I feel Rune slowly relax as he tightens his hold on me and shifts us to my house. Fig jumps down with a worried look but doesn't say anything as Rune carries me to my room.

Rune sits on my bed and wraps me up with my blanket and if this was any other time I would be kicking and screaming for him to get out but at this moment I was clinging to him questioning everything I thought I knew. He slowly rubs my back as I fight back tears. I refused to cry.. I refused to let him get to me in that way. All I was certain of at this moment was that I was safe now. Safe in his arms.

Rune had power and strength but he never used it against me. If he did use it, it was to protect me. I needed to be stronger. Don't get me wrong... the idea of Rune keeping me safe and warm was very appealing but unless I wanted to follow him everywhere and sit on his lap while he carries out his meetings.. I needed strength to protect myself and those I cared about. This was a huge reality check for me, one I didn't like. I thought being back in my world would be safer.. ha.

I closed my eyes and let Rune hold me. I shouldn't use him like this... we weren't anything and yet.. I couldn't bring myself let go. Was I a coward? Yes, but I wasn't planning on staying one. I will be greedy this one time and use his strength because at the moment I was afraid.. terrified. He was saying something soothing in another language that caused my tired mind to relax and before I knew it I fell asleep feeling safe and warm.