Page 25 of Rook of Ruin
He runs his hand through his salt-and-pepper hair again. “I—we didn’t know if you were going to make it.” Worry laces his voice, and it surprises me. I don’t know what to think of Simon. His kindness and concern is overwhelming. He’s so different from any man I’ve ever met—in a wonderful way.
“I did though.” I give him a small smile.
Tension in the room releases at a knock on my chamber’s door, and Simon heaves a sigh. He goes to answer it, shutting my bedroom door behind himself, leaving Alec and me alone.
I slowly swing my legs over the bed, pulling the covers with me. “I need to get cleaned up. I’m sure I still have blood on my face.” I try not to blush. “Can you help me?”
Without a word, Alec goes into the bathroom. I hear the tub being cleaned and then water running. He strolls in, handing me a towel to cover myself. My whole body aches with every movement; I’m so weak, it takes great effort to even move my toes.
Alec helps me up with only the towel between us. He walks me back into the bathroom and helps me into the warm bath full of bubbles and jasmine. He turns, and I slip into the warm water with a groan. Alec moves behind me and begins pulling the pins out of my hair again. When he finishes, he gently rinses it and lathers his hands with soap to massage my scalp.
I sigh and lean into his hands. “Can I have my brace?”
Slowly, he rinses my hair again and murmurs, “Queen Inara will give it back to you after it is looked over by Crows for damages.”Stupid Crows.He chuckles. “I know what you’re thinking, but it must be done.”
This whole process is intimate, improper, and very unexpected. I lean back against the tub and watch him put away the soap and oils. Alec is quite domestic. That thought has me grinning. I pick up some bubbles and blow them across the bath.
“What makes you so cheerful?” Simon’s large body takes up much of the bathroom door frame.
“Other than the fact that this is quite scandalous?” There’s an unintended edge to my voice. Alec’s eyes meet mine in the vanity mirror as he pulls out another towel.
“Other than this being scandalous,” Simon replies.
“I’m just thankful for you both . . . so, thank you,” I say softly. “Thank you both for keeping me alive, for helping me, for being kind. Just thank you.”
“Don’t thank us,” Alec says roughly. “We were powerless to stop it.”
“I gave you permission.”
He shrugs, and there’s a knock at the chamber door. Simon sighs and walks out to answer. An elderly male yells out, followed by Simon’s raised voice explaining to the caller I am in no shape for visitors, especially ones pursuing marriage. Alec and I look at each other, and he shifts uncomfortably—unusual for the Spider. I watch him closely as I finish washing my body.
“Are you okay?” I ask while I begin to stand, but my legs are shaky, so I grab a hold of the bathtub, and a towel is shoved into my face. I put it on, still dripping wet, and he helps me out. I steady myself in his arms and peer up into his grey eyes. “Are you okay?” I repeat. “I didn’t fight you too much did I? I didn’t want to—”
His calloused hand grabs my chin. “I almost destroyed you today. I told you to fight me. You fuckingwelcomedme. I had a hard time controlling myself. Do you know what it took to resist your openness, to stop myself from seeing every moment of your life? Do you know how hard it was to push the memories back into you so you could remain intact? You know I have to pull and extract thoughts or memories, butyou—you just let me. You embraced me. You were so fucking reckless. I could have—I almost killed you.” I find myself shocked as horror flashes across his face at the thought of killing me, and then it is replaced by sheer anger. “And then you smiled with blood dripping down your face and apologized to me?”
“I thought—”
“You didn’tthink.” He shakes his head sadly and lets go of my chin. “You didn’t listen.”
I’m embarrassed again. I bite my lip and try to think of how to reply as Simon walks in. I’m too tired for our endless fights and snappy responses.
“What’s wrong?” Simon regards my face, then narrows his eyes at Alec.
“I’m feeling tired.”Truthand alie.
Simon nods in understanding and offers his arm.
I glance at him. “I’m only taking your arm because it’s not your hand,” I grumble, and he laughs. “Perhaps now, after your heroic display in helping me, ladies will be willing to take a carriage ride with you,” I tease.
“If they are anything like that wretched Duchess Borlo, I want nothing to do with them,” he teases back, walking me into my bedroom. Leaning on him, I guide him over to my dresser.
“You never know. She could grow on you.” I grab an emerald-green tunic and a soft pair of black leggings.
“She could grow gold hair, and I would still find her repulsive,” he says, waiting patiently, face turned away as I grab undergarments. Alec walks through my bedroom and into the sitting room without even a side-eye.
“If she grew gold hair, I might propose to her.”
Simon snorts at my comment. He turns his back to me, and I slowly put on my undergarments and then my tunic. I struggle to get on my stupid pants, then accidentally drop them. There’s no way I can bend over right now.
