“Today, then. But can you get someone to heal me first?”
“Heal you?”
Is he playing dumb, or does he really not know how bad of shape I’m in? “Yes, Abaddon. You destroyed my lady parts. It hurts to walk.”
His eyes flick towards my lower half, displeased. “Is that really necessary? I don’t want someone else to feel you there.”
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.
“It’smagic,” I gawk at him. “They wouldn’t see or touch me!”
“It is still an extension of the user. Perhaps we could take a break for a day or so, while you heal naturally. Now that you are immortal, your healing should be accelerated.”
“Itisnecessary, and I’m not arguing this with you.” Just listening to him right now is making me feel ill beyond all measure.
His frown turns into an outright scowl. “If it means you will recover faster, then fine. I will allow it, however reluctantly.”
For one, my physical recovery has little to do with how repulsed I am by the thought of having sex with him again in the foreseeable future. And for two, I don’t need his goddamn permission to receive medical care.
“Great,” is all I say, gritting my teeth.
And then there’s that tug again on me. Jesus, was it always so obvious? I can’t snap at him fast enough, vehemently enough, “Stop voyeuring my emotions.”
“I wouldn’t be forced to if you’d just be honest with me,” he huffs, somehow making itmyfault that he can’t respect a boundary I just told him not to cross. “I’ve angered you. How?”
“Get the healer.”
“Why will you not tell me what I’ve done to make you angry?”
“Get the healer,now, and I’ll consider it.” I will not be fucking considering it. “And I’ll have the procedure done in my own room.”
“No. I will watch to ensure they do not act inappropriately. We will do it here, in our quarters.”Ourquarters? “That is my condition forallowing such an intrusion of privacy.”
I’m not much of a tongue-biter, but I do hold my breath. Dealing with him right now is taking every bit of my self-control; I am stifling so much unbidden rage. But if I want to get out of this city as quickly as possible, I need this. I have to choose my battles.
“That’s very...” Disgustingly controlling of you. “Considerate of my safety. Fine, we’ll do it here. Together. But immediately, okay? It hurts.”
His eyebrows scrunch together, giving me a pitying look, which is exactly what I was going for. “I am sorry, my love. I never intended to hurt you.”
It’s not okay. Nothing about this is okay.
“It’s okay.” I fake a smile. “I’ll be fine after this.”
“I will be right back. Please, rest.”
My eyelids become heavy, and a yawn slips out of me, though I wasn’t tired moments ago. It’s wrong and unnatural. Panic rises in me. “I’m fine. Really.”
Abaddon leans over me, and my whole body freezes up, paralyzed with dread.
“Rest,” he repeats, placing a wet kiss on my forehead. “I love you, my beautiful queen.”
No!—
Before I can say a word, I lose consciousness.
38
Abaddon wakes me up from my involuntary nap with a healer at his side.
