Page 43 of November Reign
Oak snagged my hand. “No, stay. I can deal with a little pain if there are more kisses.” He tried to smile. The pain had made him paler, with a pinch around his mouth and eyes he couldn’t smooth away.
“As tempting as you are, I’d be too worried I was hurting you to enjoy it.”
“Well, if you’re going to bring logic into things, maybe I do need that tonic.” Oak struggled into a seated position, his back against the headboard of the bed. A fine sweat broke out on his brow.
I’d left some pain tonics and more healing potions than I’d needed on the dresser just in case Oak was in pain through the night. A decent sleep was the best for healing, and it seemed like we had slept the night away. The shadows outside the window were gone, leaving a weak morning light.
Hela was gone. Having satisfied herself that Oak was okay, and I wasn’t about to harm him, she stalked off after a quick nap. Her concern was really touching. She’d made her opinion known about Oak leaving the mansion. She was not amused, and even hacked something up in Damon’s shoe. How she had known when she hadn’t been there, I didn’t know.
During the night, I’d awoken to check on Oak, and removed most of our clothes. Toth helped me get the larger man under the covers after hearing me swearing up a storm. I’d expended a lot of magic during the fight, then the healing that followed, so I didn’t have any to spare by moving Oak using my power.
The demon had been monitoring the earpiece I hadn’t switched off. He’d come running, concerned something was wrong. He really was the sweetest.
With Toth keeping an eye on Oak, I’d showered, then cleaned Oak up as best I could. Somehow he looked worse with the blood and grime from the attack washed away. Bruises littered his golden skin. The deep blues, purples, and greens made me wince in sympathy for the pain he had to be in.
Once he was content we were alright, Toth had left, taking the earpiece with him since he believed we didn’t need them listening in anymore. In the cold, hard light of day, I was glad for that. I didn’t need the whole house listening to me making out with Oak!
I watched him take the potions, drinking every drop. From experience, they weren’t pleasant. I’d been working with Damon to make them more palatable, especially because we knew battles were ramping up and injuries were natural. Anything we could do for our people to make them better was a plus.
“Hmm, this has a weird flavor?” Oak smacked his lips with a ponderous expression. “Mint and lemon?”
“Yeah, just something Damon has been playing around with.”
“Speaking of your brother, what’s he thinking about all this?”
“His exact words were: ‘when he wakes up, can you tell him he can come back? I should have trusted him and never made him leave.’ So, it’s safe to say you’rewelcome here.” I sighed. “We had some words after you left.”
“Yeah? Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not really. We sorted it out, came to an understanding. I’m just not proud of what I said.” With a shrug, I reached out to take the empty bottles. I’d clean them then sterilize them of magic. “We’re okay now.”
“Good. I don’t want to come between you.”
“Can we not think or talk about anything outside this room for a while?”
He reached out for me. I went to him easily, careful not to aggravate his injuries. There wasn’t anywhere else I wanted to be.
I lay on the bed facing him, trailing my fingers up and down his corded arm. The man really liked the gym and I wholeheartedly approved.
“Want to help me take a shower? I feel gross.”
“Sure. We tried to wash you—“
“We?”
“Toth,” I explained.
“Ah. I’m not sure…” Oak seemed to think about it. “Actually, the demon only has eyes for Cody, I’m okay with him seeing me in my underwear.”
“I wasn’t!”
“Jealous?” I was pretty sure he was teasing.
“No! You were just so vulnerable and wounded. Toth was incredibly gentle and patient but he shouldn’t get to see you like that.”
Oak laughed then winced. “How about that shower?”
There was something incredibly intimate about showering with someone else. More so when it was a man you had complicated feelings for.
