“Not really,” he said, sitting to remove his boots. “The book I read said that as a Prince ages, his powers grow in strength, but also become more limited in application.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means a Prince is made to heal his Rae,” he said, letting the curtain of Caden’s black hair fall over his face.
She had the sudden overpowering desire to see Kaelan as himself again.
“Even a Prince such as yourself?” she asked.
He glanced up at her, but his eyes were silver. “It would seem so.” Barefoot, he pushed out of the chair and strode into the bathroom. Raes didn’t normally sleep with clothes on, or at least, she never had. Not until she’d been in the human world had it occurred to her that there were some benefits to pajamas. So after cinching the belt of her robe tight, she drew the silken blankets close around her.
She kept her eyes fixed on Hero as Kaelan emerged from the bathroom, not looking to see what he’d decided to sleep in, or not sleep in. The bed sank as he sat.
“You’re actually going to let me sleep in the bed next to you?” he asked.
“I doubt I’ll be able to sleep,” she said. “I feel very much awake. Dawn can’t be far off.”
The bed clothes shifted and pulled around her, but she held them tight to her chest. Though she wasn’t looking at him, she could feel him facing her, the warmth of his body radiating under their shared sheet. She slammed her eyes shut, trying not to imagine whether or not he was naked, and what that might look like, or feel like.
She didn’t realize just how close he was until he spoke and his voice sounded as though it were just behind her ear.
“Are you sure you don’t want to tie me up?” he asked.
“You’re very funny.”
His hand touched her shoulder and she tensed.
“Sleep,” he said.
Before she could curse him for it, she was drifting off.
ROLLING OVER, SHE SNAGGED THEpillow out from under her head and smashed it against his face.
“Don’t ever do that again,” she said, tossing aside the blankets.
He pushed the pillow away. “You’re welcome.”
She went to the curtains, peering through. The first lances of light cut across the rooftops.
“Dawn, isn’t it?” he said in a smug tone.
She knelt beside Hero. His little chest continued to rise and fall, slowly, shallowly. He looked so small and fragile, more tears seared her eyes.
“Wake up, friend,” she whispered. “Please.”
But he didn’t.
Heart heavy, she pushed to her feet.
“Call Meer. Have her bring food and my clothes.”
“Magda,” he said, sitting up, the sheet slipping down his bare chest.
She paused at the bathroom door, meeting his eyes—green.
“One good shot,” she said to the fear she saw shining in them. “That’s all.”
“That’s not it,” he said.
