My heart stutters.
A month ago, I’d have been banging on the window, fighting to escape Cairn.
Now I’m sitting on the edge of the bed, tense and worried, hoping they don’t find us, when moments ago the same fae warrior who kept me captive was making me moan.
When did everything change so completely?
“They’re coming inside,” Cairnsays, voice low.
My stomach drops. “What do we do?”
“We do what Kaelith said. Stay here. Stay silent. And wait.”
I nod, even though he’s not looking at me, while my heart tries to beat its way out of my chest.
Cairn doesn’t move from the window. I can feel the tension radiating off him. Less than ten minutes ago, he was inside me. Now he looks like a different person entirely. He’s ready to move, to fight, tokillif necessary.
“You stayed all night.” I don’t know why I say it now, in the middle of this. Maybe because the silence is unbearable and I need to remind myself that the terrifying fae at the window is the same one who woke me with his mouth between my thighs.
His eyes flick to me. “Yes.” One corner of his mouth curls. “Did you think I wouldn’t?”
My blush gives him the answer to that, and he laughs softly. “You slept wrapped around me so tightly, I couldn’t have left even if I wanted to.”
“Did you want to?”
His gaze slides to me again. “Did waking up with my tongue inside you give you the impression I was unhappy with staying?”
My face burns brighter. There’s nothing I can say in response to that. No words I can utter. He returns his attention to the window, and silence falls. I daren’t move from the bed in case someone below hears me walking around and wants to investigate.
Who are the humans? They could be soldiers who serve my father. Men I might have passed in the palace. What are they doing? Have they any idea of how much danger they’re in right now?
“You won’t kill them.” I don’t phrase it as a question.
“Not unless I have to.”
“They’re just doing their jobs. Following orders.”
“So were the guards at the Dell. Following orders doesn’t make someone innocent, Alleria. It just means money is more important than their conscience.”
I want to argue, but I can’t. He’s right.
An hour passes, maybe longer. Eventually, a door slams below, followed by men calling to each other, and the jingle of horse tack as they mount their rides.
“They’re gone.” Cairn turns from the window.
The tension drains out of me so fast, I sag.
“Where are you going?”
He’s already by the door.
“To meet with the others.” He pauses, one hand on the latch. “We need to find out who they are and what they’re doing. We may need to pursue them.”
“You mean kill them.”
He meets my eyes. “I’m not going to slaughter them without reason. But I need to know what the risk is from them being here.”
And then he’s gone.
