I shivered as his fingers trailed up my spine, causing goosebumps to lift on my skin. My teeth teased his lips as I resisted the urge to straddle the large angel?—
The softest knock sounded on the door, startling me out of the moment.
Feeling dazed, I was confused as Ronan let out a half-amused, half-frustrated noise before slowly pulling back. A pout slipped over my lips. His gaze moved to the door before he sighed and shook his head, gently guiding me to sit on the edge of the bed before walking toward the door and flinging it open.
Niz zoomed past Ronan and into the space, causing a peal of laughter to leave me as he nearly forced me to fall against the bed before settling down. He buried himself against my side, curling up like a cat as I looked toward Ronan in surprise at his wyvern’s sudden appearance.
Admittedly, he was the last being I expected to be at the door.
“Did he just—” I started to ask, confused at what just happened.
Ronan finished my thought for me, confirming the question, “Knock on the door? Probably using his head? Yes.” He murmured something under his breath about a ‘cockblock,’ which only made my smile grow. Hearing him say it was hilarious and just reaffirmed that I’d never be without a smile with these two at my side.
I wasn’t sure what I’d done to deserve their support and affection, but I was eternally grateful they showed up at the portal before I left.
Before I could tease him about the cockblock comment, I could hear familiar voices coming from the hallway. I gently tugged my shirt down to cover the bruising on my stomach as Gabe and Bastian appeared in the doorway.
“Good morning, Darling,” Bastian practically purred with a rumble in his tone. He sent a wink my way before looking around the bedroom, stepping through to explore the space as if it was his own. “I’m glad you’re up.”
“How long have you been up?” I eyed him cautiously, noticing how awake he appeared to be. A thought hit me, and I asked with an arched eyebrow, “Or have you not slept yet?”
Bastian’s gaze flashed with amusement as he approached the bed and sat next to me, “I slept exactly two hours and five minutes before old nightmares woke me up and kept me from wanting to return to them. I do love that you’re worried about me, though.”
He flashed me a smile that seemed less manic and almost…softer. Maybe even a touch sad? It was like he was trying to put on a front about how much his history impacted him.
I reached out for him, unsure ofwhymy hand lifted on its own accord. I hated the way his past haunted him, but that was something I knew a bit about. While his trauma was significantly heavier than mine, I understood the way you could be drawn back into those moments in your sleep, as if you were there for the first time all over again. It felt soreal.
His mouth parted as he blinked at my hand before it settled on his cheek, profound sadness flowing through me at everything he’d been through. Suddenly, his expression transformed, his eyes darkening to a rich navy color that was filled with an emotion that seemed too strong to ignore but also wasn’t one I could fully put a name to. He gently lifted my arm and examined it, using the softest touch, before his gaze moved further up my neck and toward my lip and then to my eye. His brow dipped as a small shiver, almost like a warning, rolled over me.
Not because I thought I was in danger, but because there was an innate lethality to Bastian in his quietest moments.
“Who did this?”
Somehow, I’d been so caught up in my need to comfort him that I’d entirely forgotten this was the first time he’d seen my injuries without makeup covering them. I bit down on my lip, not sure how to answer without setting him off. I decided to try the same tactic as I did with Ronan. “I’m not really ready?—”
He cut me off with a narrowed gaze that promised retribution, and in a voice so soft and deadly it made the hair on my arms stand on end, he asked, “Who did this, Kieran?”
Oh, he was actually using my name and not a nickname.This was getting serious.
I swallowed, feeling my cheeks heat. His normal manic and light-hearted attitude was completely overpowered by the shadows that seemed to surround him. I could practically feel his magic wrapping around me in an invisible, deadly force.
Niz let out a snarl that seemed to snap Bastian out of whatever hold was over him.
“Oh hush, you know I’m not the only one worried,” Bastian murmured at the wyvern, making my brows shoot up as I looked toward the other men in the room.
Had he…understood the snarl as if the wyvern actually spoke? I shook my head, clearing the notion from my mind. I noticed Ronan was openly watching our interaction, but Gabe’s focus was also on my bruises, pain painting his features. Though the look was also paired with…guilt?Why would he feel guilty?
“That happened after I left,” he answered softly, making me realize I had said my thoughts out loud. “After I left Alfemir.”
“It would’ve happened no matter what,” I admitted to all of them, feeling the truth ringing clear in my words. My gaze fell to the floor as I recalled the moment I realized what my mother had suffered through for so long. “It was only a matter of time before his wrath turned to me.”
“The salve will help,” Ronan said, voice full of hope as Gabe nodded, seeming to shake himself from the moment.
He forced a tight smile to his face, changing the subject swiftly. “Since all three of you are up, I was wondering if you wanted to take a tour around the camp. I know Amelia promised to have someone show you around.”
I tried to not let a blush take over my cheeks when the subject change allowed me to shift my thoughts and the memory of last night came flooding back to me. It wasn’t like Gabe was aware that I’d been right outside of his door last night listening to him, right? Still, the energy between us felt charged, and I was glad he wasn’t close enough to touch right now. I’d probably just melt into a puddle, especially if he kissed me again.
“I want all of you to feel comfortable here,” he added.
