Chapter 16: The Stolen Star - How the Stars Fall

A smile crept across Ryker’s face as he woke. It had been many years since he’d slept as soundly as he did. He may not have found his satisfaction last night, but seeing Nova experience hers for the very first time was more satisfying. Even though he shouldn’t, he secretly hoped that there would be other opportunities for him.

Ryker silently propped himself up on his elbow. Nova lay tucked against his side, her chest rising and falling with gentle slumber. He watched her, wanting to keep her all for himself. She’d been the first woman since Yolanda to awaken his dormant heart.

Intricate lashes lay against her stardust infused skin. Her rosebud lips carried a glimmer of a smile as she lay sleeping. Ryker wondered if she was dreaming. Could stars dream? If they did, would they dream of Earth?

Nova shifted, curling tighter into his side, but did not wake. He wanted to brush the strands of diamond tendrils from her face, yet he was afraid to wake her. They had a long day ahead. She needed all the sleep she could get.

He slowly eased from the blankets, instantly regretting the absence of the extra warmth her body brought. Ryker placed another log on the dying fire. It would do well to keep it alight. He flicked his gaze towards the sleeping star. A soft smile tugged on his lips. If she was his, he’d swear on his life to protect her with every ounce of his being.

Such selfish thoughts didn’t deserve to be spoken aloud. Best to keep them tucked away inside the part of his mind that required a locked door. He’d promised to find her a way home and there was still a very good chance that was exactly what she wanted—to go home.

Ryker couldn’t blame her, and he certainly wouldn’t let his feelings stand in her way.

The cave was still dark. Early morning light barely reached in, yet Ryker knew it was time to rise. He’d relieve himself outside and attempt to scout out a stream before Nova awoke.

He glanced at her sleeping form one more time before turning and heading for the mouth of the cave. Pale pink light bathed the entrance, illuminating the vines that hung from the top of the stony mound. Ryker glanced around, looking for anything or anyone who might be a threat, but all seemed clear, with only the usual sounds and movements of the forest waking up.

The crisp morning air bit at his skin as he made his way through the woods, the ground damp beneath his boots from the previous night’s rain. Thoughts of the thundering storm still lingered. He’d been so afraid to see Nova out in the ferocious weather. What if it had claimed her too? Yet the moment her lips touched his, the world around him became silent . . . still.

She’d quietened his storm.

As he pushed through the dense underbrush, the faint trickle of water reached his ears. Ryker followed the sound until he came upon a narrow, clear stream winding its way through the forest floor. He knelt on the bank and cupped a handful of cold water to splash over his face, the shock of it waking him fully.

He glanced at his reflection in the water—tired eyes, tangled hair, and five-day-old scruff. He really needed to sharpen his blade and do something about the hair on his face.

With a sigh, he stripped off his clothing, the cool air rushing over his bare skin. He waded into the stream, the cold biting but welcome, washing away the tension that had built up over the past few days. He let the water run over his shoulders, soaking into him, clearing his mind. A slight pang from the wound on his leg reminded him it wasn’t fully healed. Another scar to add to the story his body wore.

The sound of birds chirping in the trees above filled the morning air, but his thoughts drifted back to Nova, still curled up in the cave. He wanted to be back before she woke, but for now, he savoured the few minutes of solitude, letting the stream cleanse him of the weight he’d been carrying.

Ryker emerged from the water feeling refreshed. He’d offer her the chance to bathe once he returned to the cave. He threw on the clothes he’d discarded on the side of the stream and headed back.

His boots echoed on the rocky ground as he made his way to the cave and their makeshift camp. Ryker expected to see the ethereal presence that had become his constant companion.

But instead, all he found was an empty void.

Stones skittered across the floor of the cavern as he halted. He hurriedly looked left and right, searching for Nova. He dropped to his knees, his hands sifting through the dirt and leaves, as if she might be hidden somewhere within the earth itself. Maybe she’d left the cave to relieve herself in the bushes.

He swiftly moved to the entrance again and surveyed the forest, but the only movement was a light breeze rustling the leaves.

“Nova?” Ryker called.

She didn’t answer. The only sounds were chattering squirrels and birdsong. How did she vanish into thin air?

Ryker dragged his hands through his damp hair as he spun around, searching for the lost star. He froze, realising the ground before the cave was littered with muddy footprints. Not one set . . . but many. He crouched low to the ground, his fingers brushing the soft earth as he studied the footprints in the dirt. He shifted to the side, looking for disturbances in the ground or broken branches nearby. There was a subtle drag in the dirt, a scuff mark where a foot had slipped.

Ryker’s jaw clenched. He moved further along, his gaze sharp, scanning for any indication of a struggle. A snapped twig caught his eye, followed by the faint impression of multiple sets of footprints—larger, heavier ones.

“Fuck,” Ryker cursed under his breath, berating himself for not noticing it in the dim light before. How did he not hear someone or somebodies entering the cave? Had he been so long at the stream? Why did he leave her in the first place? Already, fear ate away at his heart. He’d sworn to protect her, and now she was gone.

He swiftly returned inside the cave to shove all their belongings into bags. Kicking dirt and dust onto the fire, Ryker doused it. He was fuming, one because he let his guard down and he knew he shouldn’t have, and two because he didn’t like it when people took things that didn’t belong to them.

It couldn’t have been Branoc’s men. They were always too loud and clumsy. No, this was someone trained, someone who knew exactly what they were doing. Another bounty hunter, perhaps?

Too many thoughts hammered in his mind. He needed to slow down. To breathe and think.

As soon as Charlie was ready, Ryker swung himself into the saddle and urged the horse forward, leaving the cave behind. The forest swallowed him up; the trees casting long shadows in the early morning light. He leaned forward, whispering encouragement as the horse’s hooves pounding rhythmically against the forest floor.

Whoever took Nova couldn’t have gone too far and they were going to be very sorry once he found them.

Because he was a damn good hunter.