drew in sharply, halting, her teeth bared, a trickle of saliva leaking down her chin.
“Move away from Ms. Kovacs.” Barely disguised anger hummed in his voice. “Now.”
She wiped her mouth, stepping back. Killian stood in the doorway, his jaw clenched, his frame rigid.
“Get out.” His voice was low.
As if she snapped out of a trance, she peered down at her hands, taking in the blood dripping off her knuckles. “My lord… I’m…”
“I. Said. Get. Out!” he bellowed, and I was surprised to see her jolt back in fear. She swallowed, dipped her head, and turned away, rushing toward the door.
He watched her, his expression stone, but a nerve along his neck convulsed, his jaw rolling. She bowed her head in submission.
“Keys.” He vibrated with rage.
Her throat bobbed, placing the cuff keys in his palm. “My lord—”
“I will deal with you later,” he seethed. “Leave.”
Her thick, tall frame trembled under his power. She dipped her head again before exiting the room.
He closed his eyes briefly as his fingers curled around the keys, his nose flaring. He took another breath before he bent his head over me.
I couldn’t move, pain eclipsing my ability to function. The desire to close my eyes seeped in at the edges of my vision.
There was no sentiment as his gaze moved over my body, curled up in a ball, blood pooling from my nose, coughs hacking from my lungs.
He stooped down and unfastened my arms. Without a word, his hands tucked under me, picking me up, and carried me into the bathroom, where he set me down on the rim of the grand bathtub.
He leaned over, turning on the water.
“I’m going to undress you,” he said matter-of-factly, his palm resting on my shoulder.
I nodded numbly, my face aching too much to speak.
He stood in front of me, slowly lifting my gray top over my head, using it to wipe the blood from my nose before tossing it in the corner. His gaze snaked down my torso. I barely had any curves left, but the low dip of my sports bra displayed my pert breasts.
He reached out, his fingers grazing over the bruises already forming over my ribs. His soft touch, filled with magic, made me inhale sharply, which sent spikes of pain through my lungs.
Steam swirled around us as he turned on the hot water. He leaned over, his eyes staying on me as he slid off my pants. Pain coursed through my veins, but it was the ache tightening near my thighs that had my breath puffing harder.
I stared at the blood marks I left across his suit, oddly concerned I messed up his expensive clothes. I reached out and touched the silkiness of his yellow tie.
“Brexley,” he whispered, his mouth close to mine.
My lashes lifted up to his dark irises, desire heaving off of him in waves.
“You better get into the bath before I do something very foolish. Again.”
Swallowing, I looked away from him.
He’s the enemy, Brex. Don’t be an idiot.
I moved to climb into the tub, a moan slipping from my lips, my arms quaking as I lowered myself down into the water. By chaining my arms back, Nyx made sure it hadn’t been a fair fight.
“I will have someone bring healing salts and potions.” He stood.
“You’re leaving?” Did I sound disappointed?
A small smile hinted at his mouth. “I will be back. A matter has come up. I was just stopping in to check on you.” He ran his hand across his chin, his brow furrowing. He shook his head, clearing the emotion away. “I will return as soon as I can. I promise.” He leaned over like he was about to kiss me, but stopped. His eyes widened for a moment before he pulled back and hastened out of the bathroom, the bedroom door shutting a few seconds later.
Sighing, I slumped deeper into the hot water, willing it to heal and dissolve away the pain. The warmth instantly tugged my lids down, exhaustion and pain slipping me quickly into defenseless sleep, with no barriers against the monsters trying to get in.
Chapter 6
The sensation of calloused hands skating up my legs made me groan, replacing the throbbing pain with pleasure.
A bell tapped the back of my head, but I turned away from it, letting myself drown in the bliss, sinking deeper into pleasure. Into a peace I had never known.
Palms grazed my ribs. Heat pulsed against them like a magical rope wrapping around the cracked pieces, fixing their fractured parts.
As if lips grazed over