I couldn’t help it as a laugh slipped out of me. “We’re going to sleep together,” I said, leaning in, brushing a strand of her hair behind her pointed ear. My voice dropped to a deep rumble. “Just… not like that.”
Her breath caught.
“I mean,” I clarified, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth, “you’re going to sleep next to me in my bed, where I can keep you safe.”
Her eyes widened with surprise, and I couldn’t help the pride swelling in my chest at the sight of it.
“And you’ll stay here,” I added, softer, but no less certain, “for thewholedamn night.”
“I don’t do sleepovers.”
“You do now,” I said with a deep growl in my chest. “With me.”
Because no force in all of Valdor, not war, not fear, not fate itself, was going to drag her out of my armstonight.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Shaw Black
I kept one arm around Zola as I nudged the door shut with my heel, the soft click sealing us into the quiet of my chambers. She leaned into me heavily now, her movements slower, her lashes low over her cheeks.
“Easy,” I said, guiding her toward the bathing room. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
She mumbled something under her breath, likely an argument against this. I felt her sway again, and my grip tightened instinctively. I couldn’t help the low purr in my chest when she molded against me, knowing I was able to care for her.
I half-carried her carefully into the warm glow of the lanterns still lit around my bathing chamber. The scent of steam and soap lingered in the air from my bath, but her scent of rain and steel consumed me as I lowered my head and inhaled deeply against her neck.
“Careful, shifter,” she said.
I gave her a half-grin as I bent and effortlessly swung her into my arms. “Always am.”
I strode beside the basin and knelt to place her on the edge of the tub, reaching to turn the knob and refill the water. Taking my time, I helped her undress, my eyes never leaving hers. Her hair had come undone in wild curls I’d never seen free.
I didn’t dare speak, too stunned by her raw beauty, how vulnerable and open she appeared to be in this moment with me.
Zola moved into the tub, allowing the heat from the bath to soothe her. Bubbles formed along the surface from an oil extract I added before draining some of the water to add more on top. I dipped a cloth in warm water and gently swept it over her face, her neck, the line of her jaw, and along the tops of her shoulders.
She watched me with half-lidded eyes, still and open in a way Zola rarely ever was.
“You don’t have to fuss,” she whispered.
“I’m not fussing,” I replied softly, brushing another damp strand of ebony hair away from her cheek. “I’m taking care of you.”
Her breath hitched as she stared at me with a look of awe.
“When was the last time someone took care of you?” I dared to ask.
Her voice was faint, barely audible. “Never.”
When I finished washing her, I stood and crossed to my wardrobe, digging through until I found something comfortable for her to wear. I smiled as I found one of my shirts. It was oversized even on me, which meant it would swallow her whole.
Perfect.
I tugged it free and turned to find her watching me, with a towel wrapped around her middle.
“What’s that?” she asked, eyeing the shirt as if it might attack her.
“Clothes,” I said, unable to stop the small smile tugging at my lips. “So you don’t have to sleep in fighting leathers.”
