“She’s still recovering. I’ll know when she wakes up.”
“Stay on her, Seb. We need a solution to neutralize those rings, now more than ever.”
“Right. See you soon.”
I hang up and slip back into my bedroom, turning off my phone so that it won’t wake Zoe. The soft sound of her snores vibrates in the darkness, and I can’t help but smile. I crawl in beside her and gently curl myself around her. I tell myself this is for her, that she needs my healing energy. But the feel of her tiny body next to mine drives away all thoughts of the destroyer and of the Saint’s Order. The warmth of her, her breath, it’s all that exists as I drift off into oblivion.
Chapter Fifteen
ZOE
I wake and turn over within the circle of a man’s arms. Beautiful, muscular arms. A quick glance at the clock reveals it’s almost three a.m. I rub an eye with one fist and prop myself up on my elbow, running my hand down the front of my chest. I’m wearing silk pajamas. Real silk. Definitely not mine.
“What the fuck?” I whisper. Within the nest of a plush comforter, the color of which is lost to the darkness, I stare down at the man who just seconds ago was wrapped around me like a shawl. I can’t make out his face in the darkness, but there is no question in my mind that it’s Seb. His smoky sandalwood and citrus scent is a dead giveaway.
I’m in Seb’s bed.
In his pajamas.
And was, only moments ago, being spooned by Seb.
Goddess, did I have sex with him while I was on gold dust? Did he take advantage of me?
“Zoe?” he whispers softly. “Are you okay? Do you need something?”
“Why am I in your bed?” I ask, sounding somewhat defensive. He promised to care for me, not take advantage of me while I was completely out of my mind.
“You blacked out. You came out of your trance and collapsed. I thought about calling in a doctor, but I was afraid that would just complicate things.”
Probably afraid they’d commit me like last time. At least that was a good call on his part. “I’m glad you didn’t. But that still doesn’t explain how exactly I ended up in your bed.”
I hear him move. I sense he’s pushed himself up, but I can hardly see. A sliver of moonlight sifts through the blinds on the windows, but it’s not enough to make him out clearly.
“I needed to stay close to you to make sure you continued breathing. Besides, as I mentioned before, dragons have healing properties. I knew if I lay beside you, you’d recover more quickly.”
“Oh.” Is that a line or the truth? I don’t feel like I’ve had sex, but… Shit, I’m just going to have to ask. “Seb, can you turn on the light?”
“You can’t see in the dark. I forgot. Sorry.” He leans over and turns on the bedside lamp, casting us both in a soft glow. I look down at myself and then back at him. He’s wearing a set of pajamas that matches my own.
“Did we have sex?” I blurt, feeling my ears heat with an intense blush. Now, I almost wish the light were still off. Then again, he can see in the dark anyway, so a lot of good that would do me.
“No!” he says quickly, adding a light laugh. “I only kept you here because you were unconscious, and I was afraid to leave you alone.”
“But why am I in your pajamas?” I lift the oversized silk from my shoulder.
He winces and rubs his forehead. “You, uh…”
He hesitates, and I want to shake the words loose. What? Got sick? Spilled something on my clothes?
“You wet yourself. While I was holding you.”
“Oh shit.” Now my entire face must be red. I’m so embarrassed, I could cry.
“No one knows but me,” he says softly. “Not even Patrick. I washed your clothes myself. Gave you a bath and changed your clothes. No one will ever know. Your stuff is in the washer, if you want it now.”
His words are so kind, I almost feel guilty for suspecting him a moment ago. But really, what was I supposed to think? I barely know him. My brow lifts. “But, um, then, it was you who changed my clothes?”
The corner of his mouth twitches. “Yes.” He clears his throat. “And bathed you.”
