He frowned. “Of course not. Why would I be?”
“Because we’ve been using yours.”
“Well, you have been doing wonders for the amount of rest I get in my bed versus that chair, but you should sleep wherever you’re more comfortable.”
“You can join me, if you like,” I suggested, standing on my toes so I could kiss him.
“Maybe in a bit I’ll take you up on that. I need to do a few things first.”
“Alright.”
He waited until I was out of sight in the bathroom to turn and head back down the hall. I bathed quickly and was just slipping into a thin old tunic when I heard the door creak back open.
“Are you finished already?”
The tips of his ears were pink as he shook his head. “No, but this is more important. I can go back out there once I’m done.”
“Done with what?” I asked, flipping the quilts back and sliding into the sheets.
“Holding you until you fall asleep,” he said, voice low and soft.
I melted; arms open to him as he joined me. He lay on top of the blankets instead of under them with me, but I was still able to curl into his side and rest my head on his chest. Like we’d done in his room, he stroked his fingers through my hair and up and down my spine, stealing away every bit of tension from my body.
“Sweet dreams, Feather.” His whisper came from somewhere far away as I drifted, and I wasn’t even upset when I felt him slip away. I knew he wouldn’t be far, and that he’d almost certainly come back to me before I woke.
Chapter 35
Tap
As I was preparing breakfast a couple of mornings later, a familiar bark echoed through the great hall.
I rushed out of the kitchen, torn over which should come first—finding Ramsey or waking Phin. As another bark echoed through the hall, Phin rushed out, short curls wild and eyes wide.
“Do you see her?” she asked, passing me up as she headed for the living area. “She answered me just now, in my head, but she just saidclose.”
“I haven’t gone to look, but I heard her bark.”
“Ramsey!” Phin yelled, jogging down one row as the bark came again. “Where are you?”
A foreboding washed over me and I ran after her. Two gates activated at the same time, and I reached Phin’s side just as Ramsey emerged from one door, paws touching the floor for just a beat before she disappeared again through the one across from it.
“Phin, get behind me,” I warned, pushing her gently with my outstretched arm. “Actually, go get the mirror from the table next to my chair, please.”
She frowned at me but took several steps down the hall. “Can you hear something I can’t?”
I shook my head. “No, but something is wrong. Go, please. Quickly.”
Phin’s disappointment was palpable, but there must have been something in my expression that spurred her to obey my request with expedience. She returned quickly and handed over the mirror.
“What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure, but I want to warn the others, just in case.”
The hall remained quiet, and Phin grew fidgety. “I’m going to run and get dressed. Do you need anything else?”
“No, thank you, Feather.”
I spoke the words to activate the mirror, and Seir appeared in the glass, his face swaying with his movements. “I’m on my way through to you,” he grinned. “Need me to bring something?”
