“It’s the sort of thing you have to discover for yourself.” I laugh, kneeling on the floor beside the bed and stroking her hair. “I’ll leave some bottled water for you on the nightstand in case you get thirsty.”
“Thank you.” Still smiling, she reaches up to touch my face, then reaches for Jude’s hand on the other side. “Both of you.”
“What for, witchling?”
“For taking such good care of me, and for just… I don’t know. Listening. I… I’ve never told anyone about all that stuff.”
“No one?” I ask. “Not even Draegan?”
West shakes her head. “It’s not that I’m trying to keep it a secret—well, not anymore. It’s just… Okay, Rook is basically the sweetest guy ever, so I’m not worried about him. But Draegan… Well, he’s pretty… intense. The two of us are oil and water on agoodday, and I guess I just don’t want him to get all weird on me because of my past.”
“What do you mean, weird?” I ask.
“Some people look at you differently when they hear a story like this. Like you’re broken or something.”
Jude sits on the bed next to her and brings her fingertips to his mouth for a kiss, his eyes blazing again. “People damn wellbetterlook at you differently, scarecrow, but not because you’re broken. Because you’re a fucking phoenix, and if anyone ever tries to tell you otherwise, you tell them there are two hundred and six bones in the human body, and your man Jude willgladlybe carving theirs into two hundred and six works of art, just so you can have the pleasure of displaying them on your nightstand.”
West cracks up. “Okay, so how many bones does a gargoyle have? Because ifDraeganstarts treating me like I’m made of glass, I want to be sure to get the threat right.”
“Draegan wouldn’t do that,” Jude says firmly, shaking his head. “For all his huffing and puffing, he couldn’t possibly see you as anything but what you truly are.”
“Hmm. And what’s that?” she teases.
“A very beautiful, very brave,verysexy goddess. One with a great arse, the most perfect little mouth, and a whole bunch of other attributes I’ll be dreaming about the rest of my eternal life.”
“Cosigned,” I say. “And Jude? If you’re going to slide into my spot as the flirty one of the operation, does that mean I can be the psycho? And finally play with your bone saw?”
“No need to limit ourselves with labels, Augustine. I can be flirtyandpsychotic, as can you. But touch my bone saw, and you’ll find out just how quickly I can flip the switch.”
I laugh. “Don’t scare the witchling, psycho.”
“I can handle it,” she says. “Seriously. I’m good with anything, as long as you don’t treat me like I’m damaged goods.”
“Are you kidding me?” I snort. “If youreallywant to talk about damaged goods, may I present exhibit A?” I gesture toward Jude’s face. “I’ve been staring atthatfor longer than I care to remember. Downright horrifying.”
“If only his mother felt the same way,” Jude mock-whispers behind a clawed hand. “He’ll never admit it, but there’s a chance I’m his father.”
“That would make thingsreallyawkward in the bedroom,” I say, “so maybe it’s best if you don’t join us next time, Jude.”
“Don’t even think about it!” West laughs, but it quickly trails off into a yawn.
I exchange another glance with Jude, who nods in silent agreement.
Our girl needs to rest.
And her gargoyles have some plotting to do.
Jude presses a kiss to her forehead, his eyes shining with a tenderness I’ve never seen before. “You don’t have to hide any part of yourself from us, scarecrow. You’ve got nothing to be ashamed of—remember that.”
“Jude’s right,” I say softly. “You’re beautiful. Every inch of you, inside and out. No one can ever take that from you.”
“And if they bloody try,” Jude says, “they’re going to find out what it’s like to live with their internal organs on the outside.”
West wrinkles her nose, adorable as ever. “That… doesn’t sound very fun.”
“Well, not forthem,” Jude says. “But for me? It’s a regular riot, darling. Trust me.”
“I’ll take your word.” Her soft laughter threatens to undo me.
