Page 351 of Reign

I toss both of them toward the other side of the bed and pull the blankets away.

Elena curls into herself.

“Luciano.”

“Get up.”

“For what?”

“You’ll see.”

“I hate when you say that.”

“You usually enjoy what follows.”

“I enjoyed sleeping.”

She reaches for the blankets again.

I catch her around the waist before she can reclaim them and lift her from the bed.

A startled sound leaves her as I settle her over my shoulder.

“Luciano!”

One of her hands smacks against my back.

I secure my arm behind her thighs and walk toward the bathroom.

“No. Put me down. My bladder is full. I just woke up.”

“I know.”

“You cannot carry someone around upside down when they have to pee.”

“I’m taking you to the bathroom.”

She stops fighting.

“I could’ve walked.”

“You were being unruly. You’re going to pee, get dressed, and come downstairs.”

“Why?”

“We’re going to the beach.”

Her body goes still over my shoulder.

“The beach?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you just say that? Put me down.”

I carry her into the bathroom before setting her carefully on her feet.

She grabs my forearm to steady herself, then looks up at me with all traces of sleep gone from her eyes.