“You’re surprisingly…pleasantly developed for a mortal,” he murmured, the coolness of his palm branding my skin. “I am starting to understand why the King became interested. Then again, he was, how do I say? Always virile before he was mated to Siobhan. His escapades were rather legendary.”
The pale gaze remained fixed below my shoulders, as did his hand. “Your skin here is soft. Unmarred. We shall have to fix that, won’t we, little bird?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
Chuckling, he slid his hand down my stomach and then under the water. I jerked at the contact. His smile grew as hisgaze finally lifted to mine. He held my stare for a moment and then looked at the female who waited behind us silently. “Finish with her.”
Aric withdrew, and the female fae did as ordered, making sure the rest of me was clean. Then I was guided from the tub and dried off with a small linen that did more to irritate the numerous cuts than it did to soak up any of the water. A clean slip was tugged over my head, and when I looked down, I saw that it only reached to mid-thigh and offered little coverage or warmth.
Still shivering, I waited where I had been left as the female went back to the door, and both male fae returned, taking the tub and exiting. Suddenly, I was alone with Aric.
“Much better,” he commented, lifting a hand. He crooked his finger. “Come to me.”
I went to him.
His touch against my cheek was almost gentle if not for the pressure against the tender skin there. “I think it’s time to let you free, don’t you?”
Unsure, I nodded.
He bent, picking up the band and securing it around my neck. His eyes caught mine again, and he whispered something. The icy brush of fingers retreated from my consciousness. It was like a retractable leash. Free will snapped back into place with such force that it drove me back away from the Ancient. Slamming into the edge of the slab, I stared at him, gulping air.
“Welcome back, little bird.”
Chest heaving, I pushed off the slab. “Fuck you.”
He smirked. “Oh, how I missed that mouth. But I wished you knew what I missed”—his gaze dipped in a way that made my skin crawl—“most of all.”
I knew what he missed. I could still feel his hands on my skin, touching me. And what he didn’t realize was that I rememberedeverything. What I did. What he said. I didn’t know how or why, and while there was a whole lot I wished to forget, I now knew how he planned to free the Queen.
So I smiled.
Chapter 35
Fingers brushed my cheek, drawing me out of the abyss of nothingness.
“Open your eyes,” a voice beckoned, one painfully familiar. “I need you to open your eyes, Brighton.”
I knew that deep, smooth voice.
Gasping, I opened my eyes and found myself staring into eyes a shade of pale blue—eyes and a beautiful face framed by blond hair. I couldn’t believe who I was seeing. “Caden?”
The King smiled. “There’s my sunshine.”
My sunshine….
“I don’t…I don’t understand.” I blinked, thinking he’d disappear, but he was still there when I reopened my lids, those full lips curved. “You…you came for me?”
“Of course, I did.” He touched my cheek again, his touch so gentle that I barely felt it. “How could I not?”
Confusion clouded my thoughts as I stared at him. “How?”
“I’ve been looking for you. We’ve all been looking for you. We didn’t give up on you,” he said, dipping his head. “Ididn’t give up on you.”
Caden kissed me, and the touch of his lips against mine was a jolt to my system. Not because it caused the swollen, torn skin to sting, but because it was like a rush of fresh air. And because it tasted like the sun.
“We need to hurry.” He lifted his head as his fingers found mine. “We have to get out of here, now.”
Stunned by his presence and the kiss, I didn’t resist as his hand folded around mine and he pulled me up. I stood on shaky legs, throat burning and eyes stinging. “You…you came for me.”
