Page 154 of Unbound

"I've rested enough," I argue, pushing back the covers even though I'm aware that I'm exposing myself again. My limbs feel stronger now, the heaviness lifting. The void corruption is leaving my system, replaced by a restless energy that demands movement. "I need to move, to train."

And to put on my actual uniform again. But I admit I like the way Raith’s eyes flash with heat as they fall to my chest and my hips. He likes what he sees. I don’t just suspect it…

I feel it. Through the tether. I can feel his arousal and attraction, the fuzzy impression of thoughts about how fucking perfect I am. How glad he is that I’m still alive. Still here.

"Nessa—"

"The Crucible is coming, Raith. And now we know there's at least one siphon in Confluence targeting us specifically. I can't afford to lie here any longer."

He looks like he might argue for a moment, but he finally sighs. "One hour of light training," he concedes. "Then you rest again. You're still pale as death."

"Who took off my clothes?" I ask, arching one eyebrow.

Raith's eyes fall to my chest, and there's a clear hint of hunger in his eyes that sends an unwelcome rush of heat to my face. "Mireen," he says. "You were burning up the first night. I asked her to do it."

"I see. So am I going to spar with you in my underwear? Or could I borrow something of yours."

"You'd be swimming in my uniforms."

“So underwear it is, then?”

"You're going to wear one of my uniforms. There's no way I'm sparring with you looking like that."

"Like what?"

"Distracting," he says without turning to face me as he digs through a dresser. He hands me a pair of black pants and a black tunic, both trimmed in silver. They're clean, but the ghost of his scent clings to them.

Raith has his back turned, so I stand and slip into his uniform. Thankfully, the pants have a drawstring, so I'm able to pull them tight and keep them up. I roll up the hem several inches until it reaches my ankles. The shirt hangs off me like a pillow case, so I tuck it into the pants and roll the sleeves up as much as I can.

"Okay, you can look now."

Raith turns, and another one of those rare smiles touches his lips.

"Still fucking sexy. Of course she is."

The thoughts hit my mind softly, almost like a whisper.

"Uh… Typhon? Was that you?"

"Was what me? If you sensed the rumble in my stomach, I apologize. I was imagining a feast of your enemies."

"Could I be hearing Raith's thoughts?"

"Perhaps. Your tether is weak, but it still exists."

"You good?" Raith asks.

I swallow hard, nodding. "Good." But I try to take a step forward and the room sways slightly around me. Raith is immediately at my side, his arm around my waist.

"Slowly," he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear. "You've been unconscious for two days. Give your body time."

I nod, leaning into him as I find my balance. The tether between us pulses stronger with the physical contact, and I feel a rush of protectiveness from him that nearly takes my breath away. It's fierce, almost possessive, and tinged with something that feels dangerously like fear.

"He worries he cannot protect you,"Typhon observes, stretching his diminished form."The fire human has grown attached. This complicates matters."

"You say that like it's a bad thing,"I reply silently.

"It is neither good nor bad. It simply is. But attachments make one vulnerable, and you cannot afford vulnerability. Not with siphons hunting you."

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