it was only wishful thinking—or fatigue-inspired delirium—but I couldn’t imagine his godlike strength doing anything but protecting me.
Too soon for my liking, he carried me into a large suite that looked more like an apartment than a bedroom. My eyes caught on the biggest bed I’d ever seen, and I immediately dragged them away. I would not think about Ronan in that bed, especially when he could potentially pick up on my thoughts.
Depositing me in the bathroom, he said gruffly, “Get cleaned up,” before disappearing.
“I’ll find you some clothes,” Flynn called through the door.
Tingles traveled over my skin as the glamour disappeared. “Thank you.”
I leaned my weight against the counter and glanced in the mirror, grimacing at my torn uniform, disheveled hair, and dirty face marred with dried blood. My skin was even paler than usual, and there was a thick, red ring around my throat where the collar had been.
Bedraggled didn’t even begin to describe my appearance, but I was too exhausted to care. So the princes had seen me at my worst...what did it matter? The fact that they hadn’t dumped me back at NP was more than enough to make up for the rest.
I forced my gaze from the mirror and slowly undressed before stepping into Ronan’s luxurious shower. As soon as the warm water hit my skin, I moaned in pleasure. I’d never thought something as simple as a hot shower could feel so amazing.
Leaning against the tile wall, I allowed the water to rush over me for long, blissful minutes before washing my hair and body with Ronan’s soap. It smelled like him, clean yet masculine, and I inhaled the scent greedily.
After a knock at the door, I heard Flynn’s voice from inside the bathroom. “I’m leaving clean clothes on the counter.”
“Thanks.”
“You okay? Do you need any help?”
For a split second, I considered lying and telling him yes just to see how he would react. But the shower had reinvigorated me, and though I still wanted to sleep for days, I could manage to dry off and dress myself without assistance.
“I can handle it.”
“You’re sure?” he asked with humor in his voice. “I don’t mind.”
“Get out of here,” I replied with a suppressed laugh.
“Okay, okay.”
As soon as I heard the door shut, I reluctantly turned off the shower and reached for the closest towel. In addition to a flowy dress, Flynn had left a brush and a bag of necessities. After brushing my teeth, I gingerly dragged the brush through my tangled hair, wincing at the pain.
Pulling on the dress, I bemoaned the lack of undergarments. Fair Folk weren’t the most modest of beings, but as a banshee, there were certain expectations of propriety I’d always adhered to. Then again, if the princes couldn’t handle seeing the outline of my nipples, they didn’t have to look.
Finally feeling somewhat like my old self, I took a few beats to ready myself for whatever Ronan, Flynn, and Killian would throw at me next and opened the door.
Imogen
When I first entered the bedroom, I thought I was alone. All I could take in was the size of the room. It felt cavernous, and I crossed my arms over my chest like I could make myself smaller or protect myself somehow. In my cell, there was one exit and entrance. But, here?
Anyone could sneak up on me from any direction. Slowly, glancing over my shoulder time and again, I walked to the window. At the edge, I stared out over Tuatha Dé Danann. I’d never been up this high in the castle before, so I hadn’t realized what a view they had. From here, I could almost make out each edge of the kingdom. Standing on my tiptoes, I peered down at the ground and then immediately went back to my heels. Too high.
“Still afraid of heights?”
I screeched and spun to face the threat.
Flynn.
He stared at me, arms crossed, looking like the cocky prince I remembered. But, a second later, concern replaced his arrogance. “I hate to say it, Gen, but you look like shit.” He walked forward and placed a hand on my shoulder. Warmth flowed into me, and seconds later, I felt like a new person. I was no longer dead on my feet, and when I grazed my forehead with my fingertips, the cuts from the sluaghs’ talons were gone. “Thank you.”
“It’s no problem. Killian wanted to heal you, but he needs to save his energy…”
“For what?” I asked when it became clear he wouldn’t finish.