Page 85 of Frost Bound

A bloodcurdling scream assaulted his sensitive ears, making him jerk upright, disoriented. He blinked repeatedly at the space beside him, Dahlia’s crazy eyes meeting his for a second before she lobbed a pillow at him. He bellowed and bolted out of the bed as hisniliaverolled out the other side. Hernonnaettepopped her head up from the floor and scurried around the bed, nodding to him once.

Olwen opened the door, took in the scene as Loshika squeezed past him, and closed the door just as fast with a wicked grin.

Bloody traitor.

Dahlia screamed again and lobbed another pillow, her hand groping for the stone vase on the side table.

“Why are you in my bednaked?” she screeched, seizing the vase and throwing it.

Neve ducked, the vase crashing behind him. “What are you doing in my room?” he yelled back, tossing his hands in the air.

“Godsteeth,” thevallescursed, holding her hand up. “Cover it up!”

Neve cupped hissoravwith both hands, shielding himself from her view. “You don’t get to make demands when you sneak intomybed.”

She glared at him. “I didn’t sneak anywhere. I went to bed inmyroom last night and then this morning I find you naked in my bed groping me and thrusting against my bottom!”

He almost blushed, but shoved it down. This was his chamber, and he was no maid. “My body’s reaction to you is not your problem, but you were still inmybed.” His gaze scoured her, noting that she was wearing one of his shirts. The black fabric met her knees, but laces almost met her navel. She placed her hands on the bed and leaned forward, the collar gaping open to reveal more of her body than he suspected Dahlia wanted seen.

A flash a heat ran through him.

Neve focused on the fireplace behind her, ignoring how his body heated at the small glimpse. “Jaivelle, I can see your nipples.”

She gasped and straightened, pinching the edges together with both of her shaking hands.

“Why are you in my shirt?” he asked tightly. The possessive part of him liked it. And that was all sorts of wrong.

“Because it was the only decent thing I could find to sleep in.” Her nose wrinkled. “Everything in my trunks were lacy and see-through.”

Lace and see-through sleeping attire, how very intriguing. He scowled, pushing the thought away. “Why do you think this is your room?”

“Because Jaessa brought me here two nights ago and said it was so.” She stabbed a finger at the end of the bed. “Plus, my trunks are here.”

He eyed the trunks, frowning. How had he not noticed those last night? Or the fact that there was a little human in his bed? He side-eyed the pillows. They betrayed him. She must have been buried underneath all the fluffiness.

There was only one person who could have orchestrated something like this.

Lumi.

His jaw tightened. His bloody sister had overseen the organizing of the princess’ things when they arrived. Why did she place them here when sheknewhe wanted her in the tower?

He shuffled to his discarded clothes and yanked on his leathers, leaving the ties loosened. Neve stalked around the bed, feeling like his skin was too tight. Dahlia tracked his progress as he caged her against the bed.

“This has all been a misunderstanding. This…” He gestured to the chamber. “…is my room. You were not meant to be here.It’s a mistake I will remedy. But for the time being…” He lifted her onto the bed. “…go back to sleep. It’s still early.”

He stormed away.

“Where are you going?”

“To shower.Alone.”

“How’d you get those scars?”

He cursed.Qovvingfemale.

Neve slammed the bathroom door behind him and turned the water on cold. He tore off his trousers and tossed them to the ground with a disgusted slap. Unwinding his braid, he ducked under the cold water, and hissed as the icy torrent doused him. He ran his hand down his face and then tipped his head back, letting the spray fall onto his cheeks.

What a mess.

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