“No.”
“Strip, Fabia, that’s an order.”
“Arienna –” she growls low as Nicholas’ hand tightens on her bicep, his knuckles turning white. She looks at him as she winces, but instead of letting her go, he pulls her even closer. His nostrils flare. His eyes dip to her lips and –
“You can’t refuse a direct order,” Jace says cheerfully.
Nicholas jerks back, his jaw tight.
“That’s right!” I say, desperate to see for myself that she’s okay. “So strip. Right now.”
“Jace,” Nicholas snaps, “get out.”
“Can’t.” He grins. “I’m not allowed to leave her side.”
“Fabia,” I say as I reach for her shirt. “Let me see you’re okay.”
She steps away from me, swatting at my hands. Nicholas lets her go as he moves away from her too, crossing over to Jace. “Fine,” she snaps, “but you two” –she points at the two men– “turn around.”
“I’m not allowed to take my eyes off –”
“I’m going to take your eyes –” Fabia starts at the same time Nicholas reaches for him.
“Jace!” I shout, my pulse screaming as loud as we all are. Well, minus Jace. He’s the only one who seems happy and calm right now. Chuckling, he steps out of Nicholas’ reach and turns around. Richard’s brother stands stiffly beside him, his arms crossed, his back to us too.
Looking at Fabia, I take a step towards her again. “I need to see you’re okay.”
“I told you I’m fine.”
“Let me see.”
“Arienna –” She sighs as I start to shake. Tugging her shirt up past her breasts, she shows me smooth skin.
“Where did you get shot?” My eyes roam all over her.
“Here,” she says, vaguely waving at her right side.
“Where?”
“If you can’t tell, then clearly I’m okay.”
“Where?”
Exhaling sharply, she points more precisely.
I gasp in horror. “Right through your boob?” Reaching forwards, I snag the material to check her over, but she slaps my hand aside as she drops her shirt.
“I’m not taking off my bra, Arienna!”
“You could give her another order, Your Majesty,” Jace says helpfully.
“Fabia –”
“Arienna, I swear to the gods, if you make me take off my bra with Jace here, I will not speak to you for the rest of the day.”
I huff out a breath, warring with my need to make sure she really is okay. “Fine,” I say. “Then you will answer my questions instead.”
“Deal.”
