Rune pressed her nose into my hand, and Ronen wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me into his warmth, and the rest gathered close.
“And the third?” Quiet tears rolled down Oliver’s cheeks.
“Melanie accused Lilith of making a stupid deal with Etan regarding the infection. I thought she was against Lilith, just doing what she was expected to so Lilith didn’t hurt her.” I scoffed. “But Melanie told her she knew someone who could make the infection better.”
“So the bitch queen was working with Etan, and my sister offered up a better plan to kill everyone.” Oliver let out a bitter laugh. “Sorry, excuse me, my ex-adopted sister who was really a blood-witch in disguise.”
I placed my hand on his shoulder, and this time he didn’t smack me away.
“So how do we plan to kill her?” Oliver asked.
My breath hitched.
“How about you two let us think on that while you rest for a couple hours,” Ronen suggested.
“But—”
Ronen snatched my chin, forcing me under his demanding stare. “Let me do this for you, Lucille. You have been through enough today.”
“I—”
“Please, Lucille,” he breathed.
I deflated. “Okay.”
He leaned forward, about to press his lips to my forehead, then stopped. My heart ached for his touch, for the tender comfort.
“I’ll find you after.”
He left with the others before I had time to nod or agree.
Did I do something wrong?
He had never used my name so many times in the span of half an hour.
I slumped onto Oliver’s bed, being careful not to jostle his foot, having no energy to process Ronen’s odd behavior. I curled into him.
“I’m sorry, Oli.”
He tucked my head under his chin. “Me too.”
Aspen threw a blanket over us and sank back into the chair near Hadrian, our silent, watchful guards.
Soft movement roused me semi-awake.I groaned, snuggling deeper into the spicy warmth. It was better here. Thoughts shied away. Dreams only plagued me if I intended them to. For once, I just wanted to rest. Rest in this heavenly smell, on this cozy, moving bed.
A door opened and closed. Cold air invaded my pleasant cocoon, and my eyes fluttered open to Ronen placing me in my bed.
“Ronen?” I rasped.
His gaze shot to my face. “Go back to sleep, Lucille.” He smoothed my hair back and tucked me in, but it wasn’t nearly as right as being in his arms.
“You moved me.”
I would’ve been fine sleeping with Oliver.
“I needed you closer,” he explained, removing his arms and turning to leave.
I snatched his hand, stopping him.
