Which was easier said than done. The innkeeper wasn’t happy at all when Rob demanded a room for Masakage and Candara. But after a show of coin and a little bit of force, he acquiesced.
Gisela returned to the room she shared with Xaydin and made sure he went straight to bed.
“I can’t stand to lie about. There’s too much we need to do.”
“And you won’t be of any use to us if you fall…because none of us are strong enough to pick you up.”
Xaydin rolled his eyes at her attempt at humor. “Candara can pick me up with her pinkie.”
“What?”
“Her magic’s that strong. A sneeze and she can portal me anywhere.”
“I doubt your sister would portal you in your current condition. Now lay down and go to sleep.”
He pouted. “Can’t sleep in my clothes.”
Gisela caught the note in his voice. “You’re incorrigible.”
“No. I’m encourageable.” He sat on the bed and cast the most adorable look at her that she’d ever seen. “And I like being encouraged.”
Which he was doing as he opened the neck of his shirt and gave her a puppy look that begged for assistance.
“I stand by what I said. You’re awful.” Forcing herself to show no emotions, she pulled the shirt over his head.
Then she had to bite her lip at how scrumptious he appeared. He was far too handsome for his own good.
And for hers.
What was she going to do with him?
Well, she knew what she wanted to do with him…if he were able. But there was a paleness to his skin that told her how much pain he was in.
He might be willing, but there was no way she’d put that strain on him.
“You rest and I’ll rest with you.”
The hope in his eyes was quite charming and at odds with his stern demeanor.
She continued to strip the clothes from him. “Be a good boy.”
“I’m yours to command.”
Sure, he was. She doubted if anyone had ever really commanded him. Indeed, the scars on his body told the story of just how rebellious her proud troll could be. She pulled off the last stitch of clothing. “Lie down.”
Xaydin did as she bade him. And he was instantly awarded with the sight of her slowly removing her own clothes. “Are you trying to torture me?”
An insidious smile curved her lips. “Maybe…”
No maybe to it. She was in rare, tortuous form as she bared her flesh, piece by slow, excruciating piece.
Damn, he’d never realized before how many layers of clothing she wore. Eternity seemed to have passed before she stood naked before him.
He let out a slow breath in silent appreciation for the soft curves of her body. Especially when she slid that body beneath the covers and pressed it up against his uninjured side.
Letting out a sigh, she placed her head on his shoulder and gently brushed her hand over his ribs, above the stab wounds. “You’ll have new scars now.”
“Not like they’ll stand out.”
