"Right!?" I startled at the shouted word, then realized Keoni had jumped into the conversation from where he stood outside. Damn it, I should've thought of that.
With a snap of my finger, I made a portal from here to Keoni on the ground below. He couldn't climb the stairs, but Khush was his best friend and he obviously wanted to see him.
"Thanks!" Keoni said with a grin as he came through, then hightailed it for Khush, giving him a tight hug before leaning over the bed and hugging Dustin a lot more gently. "I've been trying to get him to take a break without success. Maybe you can help me convince him," he mumbled to the human, though it was loud enough for me to hear.
I rolled my eyes, but I had a feeling I wouldn't get my way for much longer. Keoni had told me he was going to wait until the Sanctuary was fixed before focusing on our bond, and now that itwas... well, I'd been a little surprised Keoni hadn't asked me out the day the Sanctuary was fixed. Or the one after that. Or today.
Maybe he wanted me to rest first? It wasn't like I had no work now. Even before the issues started cropping up, I'd always been busy. With so many people living in one place, there was always something to do, something to fix, something to mediate.
"We'll figure something out," Dustin assured him, then covered his mouth as he yawned.
"Time for a nap!" Khush declared, and Dustin groaned.
"No! We just got back," he whined, but Khush would hear none of it as he started shooing us away.
"If you two would like to have dinner with everyone, just call me and I'll set up a portal for Dustin," I said, then followed Keoni through the portal before closing it.
"I'm so glad they're back!" Keoni exclaimed, and I smiled.
"So am I."
I covered my mouth with a fist as a yawn escaped my lips, then shook my head. Keoni gave me a long look, then nodded to himself before placing a palm on my lower back. His touch was firm and warm, and I found myself sinking into it before I noticed what I was doing.
"You need a nap as well," Keoni decided, and I frowned.
"No, I don't. I'm fine."
Keoni ignored me as he started herding me toward the exit, and I let him, but only because I'd planned to go back to my office anyway.
But when we reached it, Keoni didn't stop. Instead, he slid his arm around my waist as if he knew I'd try to stop him, and kept walking toward the door to my private area, my bedroom.
He pushed it open before pulling me in, and I realized for the first time that centaurs were strong, no matter how lithe and tiny they looked.
Keoni's cart could barely squeeze through the door, and I was glad the room was at least big enough he'd be able to turn around easily without knocking into things.
He only stopped once we stood in front of my bed, then gestured toward it.
"I don't need a nap, Keoni. I'm not a kid. Or carrying one," I amended, and Keoni snorted. His gaze dropped to my stomach, and I had the strange feeling he was imagining me pregnant. "Keoni."
He jerked his gaze away as his cheeks flushed pink, and I sighed.
"You know that's physically impossible, right?"
"I know," he grumbled, then waved at the bed. "Lie down for me. If you don't fall asleep in ten minutes, you can go back to work and I won't say a thing."
I opened my mouth to protest, then realized it would be much easier—and probably faster—to go along with him.
I climbed into bed with a sigh, and Keoni beamed at me. He took a step back, glancing toward the door, and I knew he'd leave like he had the other day. That was good. Once he left, I could take my arm off. Even if I didn't sleep, the break would probably be good for my arm. I never took it off during the day, no matter how many times Draven scolded me for it. I couldn't bring myself to.
"Wait," I said, and blinked as I realized I'd reached out and grabbed his arm. When had I done that? "Are you leaving?"
Keoni gazed at me for a long moment, then shook his head. "Nah, I'll stay for a while. I've got my book," he said, patting his pocket where his phone was.
I nodded, then dropped my hand. My eyes felt heavy, and I had a feeling I was going to fall asleep. Damn it, I'd been so sure I wouldn't.
"Zephyr, I know you don't like taking your arm off in front of people, but you can do it under the covers. It'll be uncomfortable to sleep with it on," Keoni said, voice soft, and I knew he was right. I'd done that a few times, and regretted it immensely.
With a sigh, I slid the covers higher, then removed the metal forearm with a click. I didn't pull it out from under the sheets, just left it hidden underneath.
