Two.
Three.
Oh, this is ridiculous.
Scooting out from under his arm, I nudge my king over onto his side. With my head resting on his thigh as if it’s a pillow, I suck him into my mouth. It tastes freshly washed again, and I sigh in contentment.
I barely count six sucks before I’m fast asleep.
I wake up freezing on the other side of the bed this time. I turn over and look at my king. He’s coiled up tight in the thick blanket. Grabbing a corner of it, I yank it towards me.
It doesn’t move.
I yank harder.
Growling, Richard tucks his arms over his chest, pinning it to him.
Then the bastard rolls over.
Sitting up, I shake his shoulder.
I cry out as a sharp pain flies up my arm. He’s grabbed my hand and twisted it before I even registered he moved.
Bolting upright, Richard shoves me off the bed. One of the bedroom doors opens, and my king tosses a knife at the person who comes in. I gasp as I hit the floor. At the same time, light floods the place, and I close my eyes against the sudden change.
“Shit,” Richard curses as he runs over to me. He picks me up off the floor, then raises my wrist up to his face. “Move your fingers for me, my queen.”
My heart hammering, I move each one, trying not to shake. “Bad dream?” I ask, laughter rising in my throat. “Or do you really just not like sharing the blanket?”
He stares at me, not a trace of humour in his gaze. “I’m sorry I hurt you. I don’t wake well when shaken.”
“Ah.” I nod. “Okay.” I giggle as Jace tosses a knife onto the bedside table beside us. He and the other two guards behind him leave without a word. “Well, next time, I shall throw a bucket of water on you from a distance,” I tell my husband.
His lips tight, he picks me up so I’m cradled against his chest.
“Where are we going?” I ask.
“To get the healing wand.”
Crossing the living room, he enters the bathroom and sets me down on the lid of the toilet. Opening the cupboard beneath the sink, he pulls out the wand.
“I don’t think it needs it,” I say, the pain having turned into a minor ache.
Ignoring me, he points the wand at my wrist. “Iactus.”
Warmth flows through my arm, then disappears in a moment, along with the pain. Smiling at him, I say, “There, all better. Thank you.”
His frown deepens as he puts the wand away. Grabbing the hand he offers me, I allow him to pull me to my feet. But then I stop. I have so many questions inside of me. About the market. About Fabia. About him letting Jace go further than we discussed.
He stands in front of me with so many walls up, I don’t know what to mention first.
“Do you need me to carry you?” he asks as he turns back to face me, his brows pinched as he looks over my legs in concern. “Did you get hurt when I tossed you off the bed?”
“No. I… Are you okay?” I ask.
His eyes lift to mine. “I do not like that I hurt you.”
“You didn’t hurt me.” I smile mischievously. “You spank me way harder than that.” But instead of the grin I expected to see on his lips, there is nothing. “Are you upset with me?” I ask softly.
