Page 108 of Frost Bound

Dahlia sighed. “She’s okay. Don’t worry.”

Neve began to shake. His own flesh and blood had done this.

Hisniliaveleaned back in his arms, her head resting in the crook of his right elbow. She reached up, trailing her fingers along his clenched jawline until she could cup his cheek. Her one good eye focused on him.

“I’m not sorry I damaged her knee.”

He blinked at her, and then burst out laughing. It was the last thing he’d expected her to say. She winced as his laughter jiggled her body. He tried to push it down, and leaned away from her. Neve tipped his head back, her fingers sliding from his cheek. Immediately, he missed her touch.

A lump rose in his throat at the realization.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

He glanced away from thevalles, closing his eyes and focusing on the water dripping down his face. Neve could not allow these feelings to grow. Dahlia was just a pawn to secure his kingdom. Nothing more.

Steeling himself, he shoved the feelings away. While he knew she was at the waterfall, he didn’t knowhowshe got there. Had his sister coerced Dahlia there? Or was she sneaking around the palace in his absence? Either option disturbed him. He couldn’t trust anyone.

“We need to get you out of these filthy clothes,” he said woodenly. “You stink.”

“True.”

Despite her modesty, his littlesaloesdidn’t complain when he sliced the clothes from her body instead of trying to wranglethe wet material from her skin. He eyed the makeshift sheath and blade strapped between her breasts. He reached for the knife, but Dahlia closed her fingers around it.

“It’smine.”

He scanned her swollen face and nodded. She could have it if it made her feel safe. Not that it would be able to do much damage. He’d have to get her a proper blade…

Neve gently laid her on the wide stone stair that served as a bench before unwinding the rest of her braid. She leaned her cheek on her arms, the expanse of her back on display. He worked soap into a rag and began cleaning her hands. Silver blood and dirt had caked beneath her torn fingernails. He passed over the emerald ring she always wore and he frowned.

Had a lover given her the trinket? Had she left behind someone who was the world to her? Was that why she wore it day in and out?

Unease and a thread of jealousy wormed its way around in his gut.

Why did he care if she wore a ring from another man?

Because you want her for yourself.

Neve banished the thought and set the rag down. He laved soap into her hair and let the water rinse it away. Purple bruises dotted her creamy skin, and he ground his back molars. All he wanted was to press kisses to each and every one.

Get yourself together.

“Stay there,” he muttered.

She huffed. “Not moving.”

He quickly stripped his own filthy clothing from his body and threw it out of the shower with a wet slap. He scrubbed the lingering scent of vomit from his body, his gaze latched on to Dahlia’s back, particularly the dimples right above her buttocks.

Why did she stir him? Why did he want to lave every hollow and divot with his tongue?

Neve glanced away, feeling disgusted with himself.

She’s hurt, you lout.

He stormed out of the shower, dripping water everywhere, and yanked a towel from the shelf in the toilet room. He wrapped it around his waist, grabbed another towel for thevalles, and then stomped over to the water controls, turning the shower off.

Reaching thesaloes, he gently helped her stand, swaddled her in the fluffy towel, and carried her out of the room. Flyka, Olwen, and Loshika all sat near the fire across the room. The healer hopped up as he prowled to Dahlia’s side of the bed. Loshika pulled back the covers and Neve gently laid her down, pulling the covers up to her chin.

She blinked up at him and he moved to step away when she caught his hand. He stared down at hisniliave.

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