Page 14 of A Raven Revived

“Take this to Raven House. Tell the doorman that it’s for Ash, and it is to be delivered to him wherever he is. Understood?”

The boy nodded and Fitz placed a coin in his palm before he scampered off. He was in for some serious trouble with those four men. Bollocks. He shook his head and trudged up the stairs and back to his room. He wasn’t about to climb into bed with her, so instead, he sat in the chair and watched her sleep, half expecting someone to break down the door at any minute. But thankfully, it never happened.

* * *

Daisy groaned as the ache in her head throbbed. Why did it feel as if her brain was being squeezed by a tourniquet?

But then she remembered. She’d stolen wine from the kitchens and drank it. All of it. And then….

Oh no. Slowly the events of the night played through her mind. Had she really gone to Fitz’s room? She lifted her head and was horrified to see him sitting in the chair watching her. His brows raised as their eyes met, his legs stretched out and crossed at the ankle, hands resting in his lap.

An image of sitting at the top of the bed, touching herself while he watched flashed through her mind, and even though she wanted it to be a dream, she knew she’d actually done that. Heat flooded her cheeks, and she pulled the pillow over her face. No. How was this happening? How could she possibly have done something so humiliating?

Her stomach clenched as she heard his footsteps approach the bed. The pillow was lifted from her face, and he stared down at her.

“Good afternoon, Daisy.”

“Afternoon?” The pain in her head surged as she pushed herself upright and she groaned. “I have to get back.” She threw the blankets back in a panic. “People will be worried about me.”

He shook his head. “It’s alright, Daisy. Ash knows you’re safe.”

She dropped her forehead into her hands. “What have I done? How can I ever look you in the eye again after the way I behaved?”

The mattress dipped beside her, and a warm arm wrapped around her shoulders pulling her against his chest.

“What must you think of me? First I slap you, and then I appear at your door in the middle of the night, drunk, and behaving like a jezebel with no self-respect.”

He chuckled softly. “I think I showed up like a whirlwind of chaos and turned your nice, ordered life upside down. And for that, I am sorry.” Even her throbbing head and her shame were no match for how glad she was to be in his arms, surrounded by his warmth. It would just lead to heartbreak again, but she would savor this moment anyway.

He pressed a gentle kiss on top of her head and then he was gone, moving away from the bed.

“I’ll step out and give you some privacy so you can dress, and then I’ll take you home.”

She snorted. Although she was grateful for the offer, it wasn’t as if she should be in need of privacy after what she’d done. She nodded and breathed out a long sigh. She was going to be in serious trouble when she got back. What would she do if she was expelled from Raven House? Panic began to swell in her chest, but she pushed it down. She’d deal with whatever came when she got there.

Fitz had hung her clothes in the armoire for her so that they wouldn't be wrinkled. She didn’t deserve such kindness from him after the way she’d treated him. Although, she did remember that he had also enjoyed himself. She didn’t fully understand how that worked or what had happened, but presumably it had to be similar to the pleasure she’d experienced.

When she was fully dressed, she opened the door, and Fitz was there, holding a tray.

“I thought you might like a little sustenance before we enter the lion’s den.” He placed the tray on the small table and gestured for her to sit. She nearly wept at his kindness as he handed her a cup of tea.

“Unfortunately, they didn’t have raisin scones, but they did have plain ones and strawberry jam.”

Tears stung the corners of her eyes. “You remembered?”

“Of course I did.” His smile was so sweet, and she couldn’t seem to draw her eyes away from him. “Don’t dally. Ash will be impatient to see with his own eyes that you’re safe.”

ChapterFive

An icy rush of dread ran through Daisy as they entered Raven House. Ash looked up as they approached his office door. Relief washed over his features briefly, but when his eyes moved to Fitz, they darkened with anger, and a muscle ticked beside the left one.

“Ash, Fitz didn’t?—”

He held a hand up to stop her. “Come in and close the door, please.”

She swallowed before doing as he’d instructed. He was angry. He’d never been angry with her before. Annoyed a time or two, perhaps, but never angry like this. Of course, she’d never done anything like this before. Fitz gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before seating himself beside her.

“Fitz didn’t do anything wrong, Ash. This was all my own doing.”

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