She tended my smaller wounds first, which took a while. Not that I was in a rush. In fact, I discovered a whole new upside to being injured. Her touch was gentle, and whenever she leaned in, silky hair tickled my body, carrying her floral scent with it.
Bene eventually waltzed back into the drawing room, freshly showered and in human form.
“I’m back,” he announced.
“Joy to the world,” Henrik muttered.
“Look. I have all these wounds.” Bene stuck his arm toward Gen.
She barely glanced over.
“They’re very painful,” he went on.
She rolled her eyes, then did a double take, because Bene had taken the opportunity to saunter over in a pair of low-slung sweatpants…and nothing else.
Gen’s eyes snagged on his abs and stayed there for a full five seconds.
Sneaky bastard,I rumbled into his mind.
Desperate times call for desperate measures,Henrik muttered dryly.
I snorted. Easy for him to say. He’d enjoyed the company of Delphine for a full week and moved right on to Claudette. A total shit move, but what could you expect from a vampire?
Luckily, he and Claudette seemed to have cooled it…for the time being. For her sake, I hoped that would last.
“Take a seat. You’re next.” Gen motioned Bene to a chair, focusing on my gash.
Bene made a drama out of lowering himself into the chair, wincing and groaning. Then he sat, rubbing his shoulder tenderly.
Gen shuffled around, turning her back to him.
Not sure the young lady is interested,Henrik snickered.
They’re always interested,Bene declared, extending a bare foot into her field of vision.
Gen inspected my wound then dabbed gently with the washcloth.
“What did they want?” she asked as she worked.
“You, clearly,” Henrik said much too casually.
Her throat bobbed. “Because…?”
Henrik shrugged irritably. “I don’t know.” Then he gestured to her with his gin. “My turn for a question. What did you do back there?” He swung the half-empty glass in the direction of the driveway. “In the pavilion, I mean.”
I flicked an ear, and Bene leaned closer.
“You mean, other than shitting my pants?” Gen grumbled.
Bene cackled. “Other than that.”
I winced as her dabbing grew more aggressive.
“Sorry,” she mumbled, backing away, then continuing more gently. “The château grounds are full of spelled corners.”
“Spelled, how?” Henrik asked.
Gen shrugged. “I don’t know. Magic is not my strong suit.”
