Piper couldn’t help herself– she started crying.
16
Elijah held her while she cried, his hand moving in soothing circles on her back. The material of her dress was thin—far too thin, really—and he could feel the warmth of her skin through it.
And then hisfingers brushed over something else. Something that made him freeze.
Raised skin.Ridges. Scars.
His hand stilledon her back, and Piper must have felt the change because she stiffened in his arms.
"Piper."His voice came out rough, dangerous. "What?—"
She pulled back abruptly,wiping at her face. "It's nothin'."
"That wasnae nothin'."Elijah's jaw clenched so hard it hurt. "Show me."
"Nay."
"Piper—"
"I said nay!"Her voice rose, defensive and frightened. "Ye daenae need to see?—"
"Show me yer back."It wasn't a request. "Now."
“I’m sorry,”she hiccupped, pulling back slightly and wiping at her eyes. “I dinnae mean to fall apart like that. I’m fine now.”
“Strip.”
Piper’s head snapped up,her gray eyes wide with shock. “What?”
“Strip. Now.”Elijah’s voice came out harder than he intended, but fury was building in his chest. “Show me yer back.”
“I… What? Nay! Ye cannae just—”Piper tried to step away, but Elijah’s hands tightened on her shoulders.
“I felt scars,Piper. Under yer dress. And I need to see them. I need to check if they’re infected, if they need treatment.”
“They’re fine!”Piper’s face flushed red. “They’re old wounds, they’re nae infected, and ye have nay right to demand I strip.”
“I have every right!”Elijah’s voice rose. “Ye’re under me protection. That means yer wellbein’ is me responsibility. And if ye’re injured, if ye’re hidin’ wounds, then I need to see them.”
“I’m nae hidin’anythin’! They’re just, they’re from before! From me parents and from…” she stopped abruptly.
“From the hunt,”Elijah finished, his voice deadly quiet. “From when ye were held captive.”
“Aye. But they’re healed.”
“Show me.”It wasn’t a request. “Now, Piper. Or I’ll call for a healer and have them examine ye.”
Piper glared at him,her gray eyes flashing with anger and humiliation. “Ye’re an arse, ye ken that?”
“Aye.I’ve been told. Now strip.”
“I hate ye.”
“I can live with that. Strip.”
For a moment,Elijah thought she might actually refuse. Might tell him to go to hell and storm out of the room. But then, withjerky, angry movements, she turned her back to him and began unlacing her dress.
