Page 95 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

His fingers resting on the small of my back flexed. “I wish you didn’t have to do that alone,” he added.

That was the first of many things I did alone. I didn’t even ask Kara to come with me. I didn’t want to expose her to that. “I passed out after I burned the bodies,” I admitted. “That was the last time I let myself grieve or show weakness in front of others.”

His movement on my shoulder stopped and he pulled me closer instead, resting his chin on my head. “I know I’ve told you this before, but you are stronger than anyone I’ve ever met.”

“I don’t feel like I am.”

“I wish you could see yourself for how I see you, Lennox.”

“Why do people keep saying that?”

Luka laughed, low and deep. The sound reverberated through my body. “Who else told you that?”

“Kara.”

“Kara and I have a lot in common don’t we.”

“Yeah, you’re both a pain in my ass.”

He laughed again and poked me in the side, causing me to squirm in his hold.

“It’s only because we care about you.”

We both fell silent.

“Try and sleep now, Lennox, I’m right here if you need me.”

I pulled myself closer to him. He shuffled, moving to place a kiss on my forehead before he smoothed my hair with his hand.

“Goodnight, Lennox.”

“Goodnight, Luka.”

I slept.

When I finally awoke the sun was high in the sky, basking the room in warm morning light. The night was over. I had made it through.

I rolled over, surprised to find the space next to me was empty, I ran my hand over the dip in the bed, where Luka had laid. The spot was still warm, he hadn’t been gone long.

I sat up and rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

I couldn’t believe I had slept.

I should have been ashamed for coming to Luka last night. For asking for him to comfort me, but I wasn’t.

I needed him last night.

I had to remember that sometimes it was okay to lean on others. To need others.

I could hear sounds coming from the bathing chamber, that must be where Luka was.

Goosebumps covered my body the minute I left the warm comfort of the bed. I had been sweating last night in my room from my nightmares, but now—it was colder than a witch’s tit in here. I wrapped my arms around myself, rubbing my hands up and down my arms as I searched for something to keep me warm.

One of Luka’s long-sleeved shirts was slung haphazardly over a chair. I didn’t care if it was clean or dirty, I pulled it over my head. It instantly offered more warmth than my silk nightdress, even if it only fell mid-thigh. The fabric was thick and warm, that’s all that mattered.

However, my feet were still freezing. The fire no longer flicked in the hearth. I sent my flames careening towards the smoldering ashes while I went in search of socks.

How in the goddess had Luka let it get so cold in here? He must have slept the whole night too if it had gone out.

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