“Did you try? Not that I’m judging you, I’m just wondering—”
“I was only a teen then. Late teens, but… I asked her how I could help. She told me to leave. To find someone I loved, without the weight of a kingdom on my shoulders, and be happy.”
“But then…” I pulled away so I could see his face. Sorrow shone in his eyes, and guilt ate through the bond. “But why would you think you killed her if she told you to go?”
He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Because I left her here with a monster.” His eyes glossed over as he stared out into nothing for a moment.
I stroked down his face, my heart aching for him.
His eyes fluttered, and then his gaze zipped down to me. All at once, his expression hardened. His body tensed. Anger rushed through the bond to cover the softer emotions. He was trying to erect walls to keep his pain inside.
“Get off,” he barked. “It’s time to go. We’ve dallied long enough. Your lady’s maid can clean you up.”
He pushed me off him and walked to the edge of the rockface, clearly waiting for me to put on my pants.
I sighed, still aching inside, but not because of his rough treatment. His words and actions didn’t affect me as much now that I understood more of his pain. His turmoil. His behavior was a symptom of a greater problem, and while I wouldn’t let him go overboard with it, I would tolerate these little outbursts. It was human, this side of him. I welcomed that.
“Yeah, okay.” I worked my pants back on and felt my face sour. “Gross.”
He glanced back, saw that I was ready, and changed into his beast.
Back to reality.
Nine
Nyfain had done a very convincing job of dragging me back to the castle, which had involved throwing me over his wide shoulder and a lot of growling and grunting on his part. Back in the tower, Leala had come to me as I was stripping off my disgusting pants, and she’d started a bath right away.
After I’d been scrubbed from head to toe, Hadriel waltzed into the room. “My darling.” He wore a purple robe open at the front, revealing a bare torso covered in sparkles and tiny pink briefs showing off the outline of his flaccid cock. Fuzzy blue slippers covered his feet, and the pungent aromas of smoke and alcohol drifted off him.
“Hadriel, she’s bathing,” Leala snapped, waving at him to get out.
“Yes, clearly she is bathing. That is what one does in the tub.” He sat on the edge of the large copper lip as I hurried to cover everything up. “Finley, my love, I would’ve been very angry at you if you hadn’t sent that fantastic potion along with the master.”
“Oh yes, milady,” Leala gushed as she shoved Hadriel to make him get up and out. “Blocking the demon’s magic, even partially, was fantastic for clearing the head. This place is—”
“It’s a nightmare. Cheers!” Hadriel put up his hand, scowled, and said to Leala, “Be a dove and get me a drink, would you? It’s needed for that toast.”
She gave him a disapproving look. “I was going to say that this place is less of a nightmare—”
“Cheers!” he said with a grin. “Still works. Where’s that drink— Would you quit shoving at me, you tramp? I might fall in!”
“Well, get out. She doesn’t want visitors right now. She’s naked!”
He rolled his eyes and looked at me. “Sweetie, don’t worry about that. I’ve seen it all. You ain’t got nothing the other ladies don’t have. Except you are much hairier.”
“She’s natural,” Leala said with a fist on her hip.
“And currently embarrassed,” I muttered, ducking my head to hide my red face.
“Nonsense.” Hadriel waved it away. “We’ll get that sorted. Now, I have a bone to pick with you. I got in an awful lot of trouble the other day when you locked me in the tower. The master was not pleased.”
“Are you still drunk?” Leala asked him.
“Yes. But I haven’t stuck my dick in anything unsavory since Finley gave us that potion. Things are looking up. Speaking about that, dear girl.” He smoothed his wisp of a mustache, which currently resembled patchy moss growing on his upper lip. “Do you have any more? We’ve run through it already.”
“Can I maybe get dressed before we have this conversation?” I asked.
Hadriel scoffed and stood. “I forgot about your modesty. That won’t stay long.”
He wandered out, and Leala set a towel down on the cold tiles so I could comfortably step out of the tub. She wrapped another around me, rubbing to dry, and retrieved my robe.
“I can do it, Leala, really. I’m not accustomed to being waited on.”
“Yes, milady, except I’ve gone so long without having anything to do. This is my job. You must let me do it.”