Page 56 of A Raven Returns

She nodded and sniffled, her breathing jerky.

“Shhh. Come and wait for me in my bedroom and I’ll be right back.”

Fogg was in there, his eyes wide with terror. Ash sent him out with a flick of his head. “Make yourself comfortable, Gwen. I’ll be back in just a few minutes, and I promise to hold you for as long as you need.”

Fogg stood just outside the door. Ash shooed him ahead to the dressing room. “What are you looking so terrified of?”

“There is nothing more frightening than a crying woman.”

Ash rolled his eyes. He dealt with crying women on a weekly basis. “Get me something to wash with.”

“I already have.”

Of course he had. “Then help me get these off. Apparently I’m covered in blood spatter. Allister brought it to my attention on my hands, and since it was on my face too, it must be all over my clothes, as well.”

“Thank God they’re all black, so I don’t have to try to get the stains out.” Ever the pragmatist. Once all of Ash’s clothes were off, Fogg gave his entire body a quick wipe to get rid of any blood, sweat, or dirt. When he was finished, Ash bent over and dunked his hair in the basin. He didn't want any of this grime anywhere near Gwen.

He rubbed his hair as dry as he could with a towel, along with the rest of him. Fogg gave his hair a quick comb, then held up his robe and he slipped his arms through the sleeves.

“Do you need anything else, Ash?”

“No, in fact, you might go and follow up and make sure everything was taken care of at the warehouse.”

He nodded. “I’ll be sure to stay away for a few hours.”

“Thank you, Fogg. I owe you for all of this.”

* * *

Gwen was curled up under Ash’s heavy blankets when he returned to his room, wrapped in a black velvet robe, his feet bare and his hair damp. She climbed out of the bed, desperate to be in his arms. He held her so tight she could barely breathe, and it was heavenly. He rocked her gently, placing kisses on the top of her head. Several minutes passed before he finally spoke.

“What do you want from me right now, Gwen?”

She looked up at him, afraid he would reject what she wanted. “I want to feel your skin against mine.”

He untied her sash and helped her to shrug out of her robe before pulling her nightgown over her head. Then he quickly removed his own robe and wrapped his arms back around her. His skin was warm against hers, but it didn’t help to thaw the ice that had settled inside her after he’d left.

“Why don’t we get under the blankets?” he suggested.

He climbed into the bed and pulled her back tightly against his chest, tucking the blanket snuggly around her.

“What has you so upset, Angel?”

Hearing him call her Angel should have comforted her, but instead, sobs broke over her again. She tried to talk through her crying, as best she could.

“It’s silly, really. I should just be happy you’re back.”

“It’s not silly. Tell me everything.”

It felt silly to her. She should be pleased. He’d said he loved her. She hadn’t expected him to say it back, and hearing it had shocked her. But what if it wasn’t real? She’d been fooled before. And even if it was real, what if he still sent her away? Sarah had said she’d have to be sent away.

“I think I’m just a little overwhelmed and more emotional than I should be probably.” He didn’t say anything, just held her close and waited for her to continue.

“I was worried about you.”

“I knew you would be, but you didn’t need to be.”

“Is he… Is he dead?”

---