Page 59 of Bearly Yours
Roarke saw him out, then wheeled the new bed to the other side of mine so it wouldn’t block the bathroom and the machines hooked up to me. As he made the bed with the sheets and blanket sitting on top of it, he grinned over at me. “Why are you internally giggling?”
“I always see the Vampire King as this super powerful person.”
Roarke nodded. “He is. Much more than others realize.”
“And yet he has to reach a bit to pat your shoulder. I just found it inappropriately funny.”
He leaned over and kissed me then went back to making his bed. His bed was broader and longer than mine, but still had the keypad on the side that raised and lowered different parts of the bed.
“Do you need help to the restroom?”
I winced. “Yeah, probably.” He called a nurse in and she unhooked my lines from the different monitors, then Roarke lifted me in his arms and set me down gently in front of the bathroom mirror, shutting the door behind him. I used the restroom then brushed my teeth and washed my face with a luxurious washcloth that was super soft. I’d never been in a hospital before, and I was surprised at how nice things were. The room was beautiful, and the soaps, toothbrush, toothpaste and hand-towels were all upscale brands.
Roarke helped me to bed again, then tucked me in like I was a little cub. I almost felt like asking for a bedtime story, but somehow refrained. I guess my filter was operating again, which was kind of a shame. It’d felt freeing just saying what I’d wanted.
Roarke carefully cuddled with me after the nurse hooked me back up to everything, and we fell asleep amidst the beeping of electronic monitors, the sound of shoes squeaking on the floors, the sound of paranormals in pain in other rooms, the many hospital smells, and the low sound of the staff talking amongst themselves.
In short, it was a miracle we slept at all, but I think we were both exhausted, and at least on my part, a little nervous about what the next day might bring, and if we would be able to find the person that kept trying to kill me.
Chapter 16
Emrie
Iwas back to work within the week, using my shop to create bookcases. Mia and Draven had wanted them built out of maple and stained white, so Mateo and I had already gone to the home supply store in Moonhaven and picked up a full trailer load of maple wood. I think we cleaned them out, as a matter of fact.
I already had about five done—they weren’t hard to do—and Mateo, who was on guard duty again for me, was helping. Mathan and Alpha Riggs had shifted our sentries so there were more around my house and woods without creating gaps in our border.
It made me feel safer, and I was really grateful, once again, for my Clan, who always made me feel valued and protected.
Roarke was coming by after work, and we planned to walk back to the lodge together with Mateo, eat dinner with the Clan, and try to relax. Tonight, Alpha Riggs had promised privacy in the hot tub for Roarke and I, and I was really looking forward to it. Also tonight, I was going to hear what Roarke had been working on with Draven and Alpha Riggs and Mathan, even if I had to pry it out of him.
Don’t get me wrong. To have a mate that was protecting me? Looking after me? Holy honey it felt nice. But I wanted to know what was going on! It’d been a few days, and I was still in the dark. Roarke hadn’t beentryingto keep things from me, I knew. He’d just been super busy. He hadn’t even been home except when he fell into bed beside me each night, exhausted. But tonight, he was going to be in early, and we were being given time alone by my Clan—time which we desperately needed.
I hoped his plan was better than find bad guy, kill bad guy. Because honestly, I could have come up with that.
I laughed and Mateo gave me a look. We couldn’t talk right then because we were using the miter saw, and it wasloudeven with noise-cancelling earphones on. Once I got the pieces I needed cut, I turned the saw off and pulled my earphones down so they rested on my shoulders.
“About quitting time, yeah?”
He looked at his watch. “Yep. Roarke will be here soon.”
I nodded and started putting everything away, using the blower to get the sawdust off of me and Mateo. Then I closed and locked the roll up door.
We’d only been standing there a minute when Roarke walked up and gave me a hug that seemed to swallow me whole. I adored his hugs. They made me feel so loved and safe. Not to mention, he always smelled really good. I’d always thought so, and I used to hope it was because he was my mate. Turns out I was right, but man, we had to go through some miserable times to get to the good times.
“Sullivan made enchiladas for dinner,” he said, kissing me. “We’d better get there before the Clan eats everything like the swarm of locusts they are.”
Mateo snorted and I laughed. “And you were doing so well being nice to them.”
He lifted his brows. “We’re Clan now. Company manners are out the window.” We started walking hand in hand back toward the lodge. “Besides, I want to verify that it’s okay to move my animals here. We’ve put up the fencing; I just want to get final permission to have them transported.”
I nodded, rubbing my thumb over his hand idly. “What about your other hoards?”
Hoards were important to dragons. They were more than hobbies, they were their emotional support, and very much needed for a healthy mental landscape.
Roarke gave Mateo a perturbed frown, and Mateo held his hands up, laughing. “I promise not to say anythingormake fun of you, no matter how ridiculous I might think your hoards are.”
Roarke sighed in defeat. “My pillows are going into my room, your room, and your house, and some of my painting stuff will be put in my room at the lodge, while the rest will be stored at your house.” He looked down at me. “I hope that’s okay?”
