Restart Again: Volume 1 by Adam Scott (pocket ebook reader TXT) 📕

was pouring in through the window from the vicious storm outside, making the stone floor a dangerously slick surface to traverse barefoot. I yanked open the door and took her hand to lead her safely to the hall. She placed her soft hands gently on my cheeks and twirled a lock of hair around her finger. “You’ve been blaming yourself for this the whole time, haven’t you?”

“Of course I have,” My voice cracked as I spoke. “If I hadn’t refused the summons, they would never have taken you.” I pulled her into a tight embrace, squeezing her with a resolve to never let her go again. “Are you hurt? Have they been mistreating you?”

Amaya shook her head. “Not at all. The guard who brought me my meals was quite sympathetic, actually. He stole extra dinner rolls for me, so I didn’t go hungry.” She chuckled faintly. “I don’t think any of the men here took any pleasure in imprisoning me. Even Lord Eadric. He’s following orders too.” Leaning back to look up at my face, she frowned. “Elden, please don’t torture yourself over this. I’m fine, truly. It’s nothing a hot bath and a long night’s rest in our bed can’t fix.”

I tried to put on a smile for her which freed the tears in my eyes to roll down my cheeks. “Of course, love.” Offering out my hand, I nodded towards the far door. “Now, how about we get you home to that bath?”

She nodded and took my hand. “Yes, let’s.” Amaya turned to survey her cell one last time. “I can’t say I’ll miss this place.”

The lump in my throat turned my laugh into a cough as I began to lead her down the hall. “Well, I’ll make you a promise now: This is the last time you’ll ever see these cells. I promise this will never happen to you again.”

“...will never happen to me again…” Amaya murmured under her breath. I felt her tug on my arm as she stopped in the middle of the hallway. “That’s not what I’m worried about.”

Puzzled, I turned to her. “What was that, love?”

Her look grew markedly more serious. “I wasn’t worried for myself while I was down here. I knew that you would find a way to get me out.” Amaya’s eyes softened as she paused, looking at me lovingly. “I was worried that this would happen to someone else. Someone who doesn’t have...you.”

I grimaced. “Your father had similar concerns.” Doing my best to avoid specific details, I continued. “I spoke with Lord Eadric, and we’ve reached an understanding of sorts. This won’t be happening again, to anybody.”

Amaya shook her head. “Maybe so, but…it just makes me so angry to know that this can happen. That it DOES happen...” She trailed off as her hands balled into fists. “I don’t understand how people in power can use that power to hurt the people they’re supposed to protect. Innocent people like us. What are we supposed to do?” There were tears in her eyes as she looked up to me.

Gently, I wrapped my arms around her and held the back of her head as she cried into my shoulder. “It’s okay, Amaya.” The depth of her compassion never ceased to amaze me. Even in a situation like this, she’s still thinking of other people before herself. “It must have been hard for you, down here by yourself with all these thoughts.” Amaya nodded weakly into my chest.

I leaned down to her ear. “I’ll make you a better promise. I promise that I will do everything I can to protect the people who can’t protect themselves. I promise that I’ll stop those injustices wherever I find them. I promise it, no matter the cost I have to pay. I’ll do it for you, Amaya.” I planted a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll do anything for you if it will make you happy.”

Amaya gave me a hard squeeze before pulling away. “Thank you, Elden.” She sniffled and wiped her face with the back of her hand. “Sorry for...all of this.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re the strongest person I know, Amaya. Now, of all times, is the most reasonable time to be upset. You don’t have to apologize.” Taking her hand once again, I started towards the exit. “I couldn’t hold it together for three seconds after seeing you down here.”

A small laugh came from behind me accompanied by a few more sniffles. I knocked on the door to alert the guard I was finished with my business. While we stood waiting, I felt another tug at my arm. When I turned to check on Amaya, she caught me with a kiss, her lips soft and warm against my own. Even after years of being with her, it still woke butterflies in my stomach. “I love you, Elden. Forever.”

“I love you too, Amaya.” The hall door opened before us, and I led her into the warm well-lit guard room. “Now, let’s go home.”

---

I awoke to a faint ray of light from the far window. The sun hadn’t quite crested the top of the walls, but the sky was beginning to brighten, currently a cloudless violet backdrop over the city. Groggily rolling away from the morning light I came face to face with Lia, who had apparently shifted over onto my pillow at some point during the night. She was curled into a tight ball with most of the silky blankets pulled up snugly under her arm. Smiling, I pushed a rogue strand of hair from her face before standing to start my day.

After sliding back into my armor and effects I sat down at the table to enjoy a small breakfast. As I forgot to inquire about the name of the new delicacy I discovered in the markets, I had decided to call them twinpeppers. I pulled one from the large bag in the chair next to me and bit into both halves at once, creating a sweet and spicy combination on my