As for my robes, well, I’m not even going to think about that.
I go to move, but Selwyn puts his hand on my shoulder and holds me in place. Okay, staying down here is just fine by me. He probably doesn’t want his friends to see me like this.
I settle by his legs. Tentatively, I rest my head on his thigh. He doesn’t push me off.
I let out a big sigh. A feeling of peace washes over me. My eyes flutter closed. It is warm and comfy down here, and I haven’t had a good night's sleep in forever, so it is no wonder I’m sleepy. But I must not fall asleep. That would be improper.
I try to open my eyes, but a dream rises up and claims me.
My body sags. It is so nice to finally sleep.
Chapter fourteen
I’m slowly drifting awake. But I am so comfortable, I don’t want to stir. I’m warm and safe, and I never want to move. I’m floating. The empty void inside me is now home to a tiny flickering flame of magic. Its presence is soothing. If I wake up, I won’t be able to sense it so clearly.
Despite my reluctance, reality is coalescing around me. Awareness is coming piece by piece.
Oh no. I fell asleep at Selwyn’s feet. Under the table. With my head on his thigh.
I’m not there anymore. I’m somewhere else. Which means I slept so deeply I didn't wake when someone moved me. That’s unsettling. I know I’ve had several nights of no sleep at all, scattered with a few hours here and there on other nights, but still. I don’t think I’ve ever slept so deeply.
Nobody has ever carried me since I was a small child. It is disorienting to fall asleep in one place and wake up in another.
Where am I?
I don’t want to open my eyes yet. I’m still too sleepy. The long weeks of sleeplessness have finally caught up with me. But I would like to know where I am.
Slowly, I take stock. Oh my goddess. I’m curled up on Selwyn’s lap like a baby. I’m using his shoulder as a pillow, and he is just sitting here quietly holding me. I think we are still in the meeting room, and it sounds like we are alone.
The sound of a door quietly opening reaches me. Footsteps draw near.
“If you wake my consort,” Selwyn whispers. “I will gut you like a fish.”
Oh my. My eyelids scrunch. I cannot let him know I’m awake now, or this poor person will get into trouble.
Footsteps retreat far quicker than they arrived. Silence resumes. Selwyn hasn’t moved, but I think he is on to me.
Suddenly, he stands, and it's all I can do not to yelp. He strides forward with me in his arms as if I weigh nothing. Heavens, I should let him know I am awake.
But this feels so damn nice. Who wouldn’t want to be carried in the arms of a handsome prince?
I keep my eyes closed and savour every moment of being carried through the fey court. I have no idea if anyone sees me, and strangely, I don’t care.
Somehow, even though I can’t see, I recognise my bedchamber. Selwyn gently places me down on the sheets. Then, he carefully pulls off my soft doeskin boots.
This bed is so comfortable. The pillow is so soft. I feel like I’m lying on a cloud. And I’m still so very sleepy. My limbs are heavy and my heartbeat is languid.
Selwyn’s hand runs lightly over my hair. Then he is gone, the door shutting quietly behind him.
I curl up a little more, and let sleep take me away again.
The next time I wake up, it’s morning. I blink as disorientation swirls through me. How on earth did I sleep for so long?
Selwyn is lying beside me. Awake, and watching me calmly. I swallow and stare back at him. I cannot see any anger in his gold-flecked eyes. He doesn’t mind that I fell asleep and stayed gone for the whole night.
Slowly, he pulls back the sheets, revealing his naked body and his hard cock.
Oh yes. Morning duties.
