"How long was I out?" I asked.
"Only three hours."
I supposed that explained why everything hurt so much. There was a hole in me that a certain asshole Solheart had created mere hours ago.
Liam would have endless jokes about this.
My head spun. "Where is everyone else?"
"I don't know.” Reese tied off his bandage and stood, taking his glorious pecs with him. "I had to tend to you first. I'd go and search for them, but . . ."
I observed my surroundings for the first time. We were back in the cheap inn room, with its stained door and unhappy-looking bed. If someone wished it, waltzing through that shoddy door and stabbing me would be all too easy.
"I'm sure they're okay," Reese added. "The scáde must have fled—its song stopped once the glade was clear."
A bead of hope blossomed in my chest. The scáde had heeded me.
It was still alive—a beast of the shadows, a monster born from evil.
And I was glad.
"Go find Liam," I exhaled. "And Ferris. Saints know what he's gotten himself into."
"Mare . . . "
"Who would be plotting my assassination now, mere hours after the city almost perished?"
"I suppose you're right.” Reese shrugged his shirt on, and I noticed a black glove concealed his right arm.
"Interesting," I mused. "More clothes did come off, and yet, you're still wearingthat."
"There's a whole story there. I'll explain later," he said, grabbing his cloak.
"At least I got to see the full tattoo.” I narrowed my eyes. "What does it mean?"
"You don't know?" He picked up Cierthine and laid it by my bedpost. "Are you sure you don't want me to stay?"
"I'm a Paragon, remember? I'll be fine." I paused. "Though I'd be more fine if you answered my question."
Reese grew serious. I could practically feel his walls slamming into place, guarding the vulnerability he hid. "My past is better left there. It's no one's burden to bear, but mine."
"Well. And they sayI'mdramatic."
One corner of his mouth turned up, but I saw a crack of pain there, and in the corner of his eyes. His hand brushed beneath my chin and lifted it.
Thank the saints for the concoctions clouding my mind. I might've simply died on the spot, otherwise.
"Stay here. Keep the door locked until I return," he ordered. "Understand?"
"I don't recall you being of a higher station than me," I retorted. "Are you even a nobleman? Nobody knows."
"I'm in charge of you, remember? You live or die by my command."
"As I understood it, you were ordered to protect me. That puts it rather the other way around."
"You have an enormous ego, Lady Rohan."
"It's earned."
