Blackbird Broken (The Witch King's Crown #2) - Keri Arthur Page 0,59

to flop down onto the ginormous bed and sleep for the next twenty hours. The bedding was pristine white, and I was a blood-soaked, sweaty, grimy mess. The two were not compatible.

I stripped off then folded my clothes and placed them neatly on the top of the blanket box at the end of the bed. The three daggers I shoved under the pile of pillows, out of immediate sight but close to hand when I was sleeping.

The bathroom was another revelation. Like everything else in this place, it was vast and opulent; the white marble was veined with gold, and the two basins and all the taps were gold. The shower was big enough to have a party in, with three ceiling-mounted showerheads and two flexible wall ones.

I pressed the buzzer to call Jenny, then collected shampoo, body soap and sponge, and a tent-like towel from the inset storage area. After turning on the middle shower and two side ones, I stepped under the hot, hot water and simply stood there, soaking away the grime, the blood, and the aches, for so long that my skin began to prune.

Once I was dry and my hair combed into some sort of order, I padded back into the bedroom, my feet sinking deep in the thick carpet. A dressing gown had been placed on the chest where my clothes had been, but I didn’t bother grabbing it. I pressed the button to close the curtains and then climbed in under the blankets and went to sleep.

I woke who knows how many hours later to the awareness I was no longer alone. I slid a hand under the pillow to grip Nex’s hilt, then the warm mix of musk, sandalwood, and cinnamon teased my nostrils. I smiled even as my heart began to dance and a deep-down ache stirred to life.

The damn man was going to be the death of me—if one could die of sheer frustration, that is.

I released my grip on Nex and opened my eyes. Luc wasn’t lying on the other side of the ginormous bed, as I’d half hoped, but had instead dragged up one of the well-padded armchairs and was asleep in that, his sock-covered feet resting on the end of the bed. He looked at peace. At home. Gorgeous. My fingers itched with the need to reach out and caress the muscular splendor barely hidden by the almost too tight shirt; I longed to kiss my way down his chest and stomach, to explore what lay beyond the waist of his jeans …

I drew a deep, shuddery breath, and his eyes opened. The green depths sparkled with amusement, as if he knew exactly where my thoughts had been and what that intake of breath had meant.

“How are you feeling?” His voice was a deep, sexy rumble that created havoc with my already erratic pulse.

“I’m good. Hungry, but good.”

Desire flared in his eyes, along with amusement. The damn man knew I wasn’t talking about food. “When did you get in?”

“About six hours ago.”

“So why are you sleeping here in a chair rather than in your own bedroom? I’m sure a mansion this size has plenty of them.”

“It does, but from the little Mo said about the reasons this retreat was needed, I figured I’d better not leave you alone.”

“Nex and Vita are under—”

“And you’ve used them enough that the whites of your eyes are still pink, despite being asleep for over twelve hours.”

“Twelve hours? No wonder I’m damn hungry.”

A sexy smile teased his lips. “I think that is a constant state with you. Some of us do have—”

“If you say more control, I’m going to throw a mountain of pillows at you.”

The smile grew wider and he raised his hands. “A stomach that doesn’t need to be fed every couple of hours.”

We both knew that wasn’t what he’d intended to say, and maybe it was time to prove a point. I stretched like a cat, and the blankets fell away, revealing the upper portion of my body.

His gaze swept me, a heated caress followed by a wave of desire so fierce it made my nipples pucker and my breath catch in my throat. I briefly closed my eyes, drawing in the warm sensation, savoring its strength and power. But I didn’t react in any other way, and I certainly didn’t cover up.

“How did your search in Winchester go?” I said after a moment.

“Hit and miss.” His voice held a throaty edge that warmed me deep inside. “There was