Page 75 of Sanctuary with a Dragon
“It’s warm,” Alaric said, utterly unbothered. “Your skin’s just frozen.”
Green eyes glared at Alaric through a curtain of sopping, auburn hair. “Why are we friends again?”
“Because I’m the only person you could con into being friends with you?”
“No,” Shay said, shivering. “That’s not it.”
“Because you’re a masochist?”
Shay glared. “That’s not it either.”
Alaric increased the water temperature. “I give up. Why?”
“Because you’re a grump, and you needed some sunshine.” Shay’s skin was starting to look normal again, but he was still shivering.
Alaric snorted, adjusting the water again. “Are you implying you’re the sunshine?”
“Of course I’m the sunshine! It’s clearly not you!”
I grinned and left them to it, stepping into the hall and flagging down a member of the staff to order some food for Shay’s room as soon as possible. I had the feeling that if he didn’t eat almost the moment he got out of the shower, he wouldn’t be eating for several more hours—he’d be too asleep to care.
Ten minutes later, after a few muffled curses, Alaric tossed some clothes into the bathroom for Shay to change into, then shut the door. His face was set in lines of grouchiness, and he was dripping water onto the floor.
I found a towel and handed it to him. “Shay got you, huh?”
He muttered under his breath as he dried off the best he could. Right as Shay staggered out—fully dressed in a sweatshirt, sweats, and socks—a staff member knocked and left a tray piled high with food. Shay fell upon it like a ravenous wolf.
Alaric stayed long enough to make sure his friend ate, but once Shay had nearly cleaned the tray, he started leading me toward the door.
“What,” Shay called from the bed, “I don’t get a tuck-in? A bedtime story?”
Alaric turned back. “If I tuck you in, Shay, it’ll be six feet under. Goodnight.” He shut the door on Shay’s sputtering laughter and shot me a mischievous grin.
I laughed. “He’s good for you.”
He shrugged and took my hand. “You’re better.”
“I’m pretty sure it isn’t a contest.”
His gaze warmed, full of heat and promise. “You’d always win, so no, it’s not a contest.”
Whew. Was it warm in this castle? I resisted the urge to fan myself, but it didn’t matter; Alaric was a dragon shifter and could scent emotions.
He smirked as he kissed me, and I barely resisted pinching him.
When we reached my rooms, we sat in the sitting room and talked about what we could do for the dragon. We tossed around a few ideas until the one I’d had while walking through town came back to me.
“What about Shiloh?” I asked softly.
Alaric frowned. “He won’t help. He doesn’t heal anymore, not even in emergencies.”
I ran my hands over the rough fabric of my jeans, thinking, then shrugged. “I’m willing to ask. It’s worth a shot.”
“I don’t want you near him alone,” Alaric growled.
“Shay said he’s not dangerous.”
“I don’t want you going alone,” he repeated.
