Page 30 of Passions Ignite
Zoey shifted again, and she wrapped around Lux’s waist. The gesture was simple, almost casual, but it sent a thrill through Lux, a warmth that had nothing to do with the fire.
“Let’s try to get some sleep,” Zoey murmured, half asleep already.
Lux closed her eyes, even as she was acutely aware of every point of contact between them. “Goodnight, Zoey.”
“Goodnight, Lux.”
They lay there in the darkness as the fire cast shadows around them. Lux’s mind raced with thoughts of what could be and what she wanted.
But she kept those thoughts to herself, letting the comfort of Zoey’s presence lull her into a restless, but contented, sleep.
12
ZOEY
Zoey’s stomach growled.
She opened her eyes, the pain in her muscles from yesterday’s crash still sharp. The smell of dirt and burnt wood filled her nostrils as she glanced over to Lux, who was still asleep. Her lips were slightly parted, and her skin, even with splotches of dirt on it, was beautiful.
Zoey considered waking her but decided against it. She would let her sleep a little longer. They both needed rest. She pushed herself up slowly, trying not to make a sound. Her body protested every movement. She needed food, something to keep up her strength.
She scanned the area, but didn’t find anything in the clearing.
She stepped away, the forest silent except for the occasional rustle of leaves. Zoey took a deep breath and tried to steady herself.
Her stomach growled again. There had to be something to eat nearby, maybe some wild berries.
She didn’t get far.
Lux stirred, a soft groan escaping her lips as she woke. Zoey turned back, watching her sit up slowly, wincing as she moved her injured leg.
“Where are you going?” Lux asked, her voice rough from sleep.
Zoey hesitated. “Just looking for food. We need to eat.”
Lux rubbed her eyes. “Don’t go alone. We shouldn’t separate.”
Zoey considered arguing but didn’t. She couldn’t leave Lux behind, not after everything that had happened. “Okay. Let’s go together.”
Lux smiled weakly and stood. Zoey waited and watched as Lux struggled to stand and stretch her legs before stabilizing.
They walked into the dense forest. The ground was uneven, and Zoey could feel her feet sinking into the soft earth with each step. The air was humid, making the walk even more exhausting.
As they walked, Zoey pulled out the phone they’d found earlier, hoping for a signal. The screen remained blank, mocking her. She tried again, holding it up, but it was useless. The forest was too dense, and they didn’t have a clear line of sight of the sky.
“Any signal?” Lux asked, though she probably already knew the answer.
“No,” Zoey said. “I’ll keep trying, though.”
They continued walking, the forest growing thicker around them. Zoey’s stomach growled again, louder this time. Lux glanced at her.
“Hungry?”
Zoey nodded. “Starving. We need to find something soon.”
Lux looked around, scanning the trees. “There has to be something edible out here. We just have to look.”
The forest seemed endless, and the trees towered above them, blocking most of the sunlight. Zoey’s eyes darted from treeto tree, searching for any sign of fruit. She spotted something up ahead, a small patch of light breaking through the dense canopy.