Page 63 of The Nightmare Bride
I thought. And thought. Until my headache swelled to an impossible size and my mind ran so many circles it started chewing on its own tail.
Kyven seemed to sense my struggle. “It’s nothing we have to solve this morning.”
“No, I guess not.” With reluctance, I shelved my deliberations for later, when I had a clear head.
Kyven studied me. His hand drifted from my hair to my face, cupping my cheek in a rough palm. The touch wasn’t any different from last night’s, but this time, a prickle shot across my skin.
I cleared my throat.Focus. I wasn’t the only one who’d done something inexplicable.
“The nightmare,” I said, trying to piece together a sensible question. “You’d...done that before, hadn’t you? Resisted like that? You must have. You must’ve done it your first night here.”
A half smile. “Yes.”
“But...you’re from Hightower. How could you possibly have known how?”
He paused. “To answer that, I’d have to tell you my whole life story.”
“Okay. Go ahead. It’s not like I have anywhere to be, apparently.”
Heat crept into his eyes. “Oh, but I can think of better ways to spend our time alone.Muchbetter ways.”
I moved to swat his shoulder, but he caught my wrist and held it fast.
A zing eddied into me from the place where his fingers circled my forearm, prompting the very potent realization that I was practically lying on top of him. Which was...probably sending the wrong message.
I tugged my hand away. I might have decided he wasn’t a criminal, but really, what did that matter? This man was destined to marry Amryssa. All that had actually changed was that pesky little detail about me killing him in cold blood.
Which was...fine, really. It would’ve been a shame to let a face like that go to waste, anyway.
“I’d much rather continue last night’s conversation than tell you my deepest, darkest secrets.” His voice took on the consistency of hot, wet silk. “Because I believe we were at the part where you were about to fall hopelessly in love with me.”
“No, we were at the part where I was about to slap you.” I eased off him, though it cost me every ounce of energy and a not-insignificant amount of throbbing pain.
Goddess, why did everything hurt? So much more than usual?
Then I remembered. I’d launched myself from that horse last night. And hit the groundhard.
I looked down. Crusted scrapes littered my arms. Everything ached, though not so much as to suggest I’d broken any bones.
Kyven’s gaze followed mine. “I suppose Icouldshare, if you’d care to join me in the shower. I always do my best confessing while naked. I do most things better while naked, actually. I’d be happy to demonstrate.”
I rolled my eyes, ignoring the mysterious response that prompted at the juncture of my thighs. “I already told you my story. For free. No joint showering required.”
He heaved a theatrical sigh. “That’s true.”
“The least you can do is return the favor.”
“Well. My life isn’t actually all that interesting.”
“Somehow, I doubt that.” I held his eyes for a beat, and wow, did he make dishevelment look good. Dried sweat stuck his copper-dark hair to his forehead. Two-day stubble dusted his jaw, just begging to be touched, while scarlet smears adorned his chest.
My blood, not his. Evidence of how close he’d held me last night.
Seeing my own marks on him did something strange to me, so I kicked my legs over the bedside and went in search of mydagger. Best give him space, like he’d done for me over ale last night.
Best give us both space. Much-needed, much-desired, absolutely criticalspace.
Once I had my dagger in hand, I claimed a seat at my vanity. Kyven scooted to the mattress’s edge, his eyes meeting mine in the mirror.
