The Brightest Night (Origin #3) - Jennifer L. Armentrout Page 0,92

you?”

I nodded. “I heard you say even Grayson missed me. I know that was a lie.”

His lashes swept down as one side of his lips tipped up. “I would never lie about such a thing.”

“I also heard some really lame pickup lines.”

“My pickup lines are never lame, Peaches.”

In my chest, my heart started pounding. “I also heard you say that if I woke up and didn’t remember who I was, that you had enough love in you for me that it would be enough. That you’d still love me.”

Those lashes lifted, and the intensity in his gaze stole my next breath. “You have to have known that.”

“I did,” I whispered. “I do.”

“But what you don’t know is that wasn’t the first time I said those words to you.”

“It wasn’t?”

“No.” He placed the tips of his fingers to my cheek. “I told you that I love you, that I would always love you, no matter what, once before.” His throat worked on a swallow, and when he spoke, his voice was thick. “I told you that the only time I ever said goodbye to you.”

His face blurred. “And what did I say?”

“You said, ‘I know.’”

18

Hours later, after the sun had gone down and after Luc and I talked over everything Dr. Hemenway had said, while we ate what felt like a week’s worth of veggies and cheese, Zoe showed up. Like Luc, I saw a deep violet, transparent aura tinged with white all around her before she rushed forward, all but tackling me where I sat under the covers. There were hugs.

Lots of hugs.

And maybe a few tears.

“Don’t ever do something like that again,” she said, arms wrapped around my shoulders. “Do you understand me? I was scared to death.”

“Sorry.” I squeezed her back as I tried to get air into my lungs and not think about the fact that her face was almost planted in my unwashed hair.

“Don’t apologize!” she cried. “It’s not your fault. I’m just so happy you’re okay and you’re not—” She cut herself off.

My gaze lifted to where Luc lingered, arms crossed as he leaned against the doorframe. Grayson was there, too, standing silently behind Luc. When he’d walked in, I’d seen the rainbow effect around him, but when I looked at him now, all I saw was the bluish-purple bruise.

The Luxen had a black eye.

I had no idea how a Luxen could have a black eye, but I was full of questions.

“That I’m not trying to kill everyone?” I finished for Zoe.

“Yeah,” she whispered. “Heidi would never forgive me if something happened to you before she got here.”

I had hoped that they’d made their arrival while I slept, but they hadn’t, and I was doing my best not to freak out about that. Nobody seemed concerned, so I was taking that as a good sign.

“I missed you,” Zoe said, squeezing me until I squeaked.

“Your girl is starting to sound like one of those dog toys,” Grayson commented.

“True.” Pushing away from the door, Luc approached and gently pried Zoe away from me, and I don’t know what he said to her, but after a few more moments, and then a few more rushing back to the bed for one last quick hug, Luc and I were alone again.

“It’s getting late,” he said, returning from showing them out. A few more candles sparked to life as he passed them. “And I figured you’d want to take a bath—a warm bath. I know you want to do it yourself, but I think we can make an exception tonight.”

I really did want to do it myself, but I wanted a warm bath more.

“Bath. Please. And then you.” I scooted to the edge of the bed, throwing the blanket off. “You have to tell me why and how Grayson has a black eye.”

“Sort of a funny story.” Luc carried one of the lanterns into the bathroom, placing it on the sink counter. “I punched him in the face.”

My mouth dropped open. “What?”

“Yeah. He could’ve healed it by now—” The water came on, drowning out whatever he was saying as he sat on the ledge of the bath.

“What?” I rose, my steps a little wobbly as I made my way to the bathroom. “What did you say?”

“I said he’s wearing it like a badge of honor.” The lantern didn’t do much to beat back the darkness of the bathroom, but it cast interesting shadows along the back of his shoulders.

“Why did you punch him?” I tugged on the hem of my