Bael clears his throat. “When you were sleeping off your, you know…"
"Episode," I supply.
He nods. "You weren't sleeping very peacefully for a bit. So if you keep having trouble sleeping, my bed's always open. I'm not a blanket hog. I don't even use a blanket, actually—it's too fucking hot at night. Also, I sleep in the nude most of the time. I know that's a massive selling point for you because you check me out whenever you think I'm not looking," he smirks.
I shake my head, allowing myself the smallest smile. “Careful. Your ego may smother you in your sleep."
"I'd much ratheryousmother me with that sexy ass of yours. I dream about that all the fucking time, actually."
My thighs clench at the rousing mental image that paints, and Baelfire's nostrils flare as he picks up on my arousal. Before he can finish turning my insides to goo, I turn and slip through the dorm door just as Silas opens it with a low chuckle at my expense.
Once I'm inside, I pause and take in the space. It's very…Silas.
The dorm is a large studio perfectly balanced between cozy, rustic, and luxurious—and very decidedly of fae design. An antique-looking burgundy fainting couch sits on a plush rug in front of a hearth that flickers to life with a wave of Silas's hand as he steps up beside me. The kitchen is small but clean, with one entire counter filled with various liquors and another fully stocked bar cart in the living room. A big bed is tucked into one corner by a window, topped with dark red blankets.
Most of the walls are lined with overfilled bookshelves, and a coffee table near the fainting couch is covered with papers and all kinds of spell ingredients. Off to one side is a carved wooden door leading into a bathroom.
Silas's dorm is busy but not messy. When I glance at him, he's analyzing me as thoroughly as I was his personal space.
"Do you like it?"
"That's not important. It's your dorm, not mine."
He hesitates, rubbing the back of his neck. "It is important, actually. I want you to be comfortable here. No one else has ever been in here since I made it into my own months ago."
"Not even Sierra?"
"Who?" Silas frowns.
I admit it. Deep down, some petty part of me is satisfied that he didn't bother retaining her name. I'm a bitch like that.
"The fire elemental you fucked a few weeks ago," I tell him as if I couldn't care less. "According to her, at least."
He grimaces. "I don't remember details about anyone I've been with. Typically, I had to get myself fairly drunk to get through the paranoia before I could even get into bed with someone, and then I'd get out of that bed as soon as it was over just to be safe. I've certainly never brought anyone into my own dorm room." Then he pauses, frowning. "Wait. What do you mean,according to her?Was this girl goading you? When was this?"
He's so up in arms, it's almost amusing.
Still wrapped in the blanket from the infirmary, I venture deeper into the dorm before stopping in front of the hearth to examine the crackling fire.
"It doesn't matter. What did you want to talk to me about?"
He moves behind me, brushing some of my hair over my shoulder. We're near enough that I can smell that mild bourbon and spice aroma on him.
"I need to apologize. The wager we made was my idea. I take full blame for it."
Damn it. If I'd known this chat would be about their stupid bet, I wouldn't have agreed to come here at all. Some people believe talking about problems will lay them to rest, but I prefer the old-fashioned way—with a rope and shovel. I'd rather sleep in a coffin than talk about this ever again.
"Just forget it, Silas."
"No. I will never brush something under the rug if it has hurt you. We're discussing this."
"For the last fucking time,drop it."
He pushes on anyway. "You think we were only after the prizes, but that isn't?—"
I spin to glare up at him, ready to be done with this. "Look, it's not the first time someone manipulated me into bed andfucked me to get what they wanted. It's shitty, but I'll get over it, so let it go."
Silas stares at me for a solid seven seconds, unblinking. Then he snarls, baring his teeth, and?—
