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And then there was Seath, the strange, snakelike fae who had unnerved her from day one. Of course, he was dead now, seemingly taken out by the very same attackers who were behind everything else going wrong inside thiscastle.
Because it could be anyone truly. Just because Bree had seen a few fae act in mysterious ways didn’t mean that it was any one of them. It could be someone she’d never met. Someone who likely didn’t even live inside the castle walls atall.
“Bree,” Rafe murmured. “You are still very wide awake. I can tell by the way you are clutching the covers to yourchest.”
“Well, you’re no more asleep than I am then,” Breesaid.
“What is on your mind?” he asked. “Is it Seath? You know you do not need to worry, not when you are in here withme.”
“It’s not just Seath. It’s everything that’s happened since I’ve come here.” Bree shifted on her bed so that she was now facing Rafe. In the darkness, she could barely see his features. Only the glowing silver of his eyes. “Is it always likethis?”
“You mean, is it always so violent?” A pause. “It can be. Things tend to go in cycles here. There will be peace for many months, followed by many months of chaos. The fact that there is an empty throne can drive this place wild. And I fear it will get far worse before it getsbetter.”
Bree let out a long, heavy sigh. “God, I hopenot.”
“I know you will say no, but you are welcome to join me in my bed, Bree. I will not try anything untoward. But if it would make you feel safer...” Rafe trailed off, and she swore she could hear an inhale of breath. And then no exhale, as if he were holding it, waiting for herresponse.
She opened her mouth to say no, but instead, she found her body moving out of its own accord. Her bare feet found the floor, and she padded across the small space between them. Rafe smiled and pulled back the covers, shifting to the left so that she could slide in next tohim.
Her entire body was tense as she settled her head onto the pillow next to his. She stayed facing away, mostly because she couldn’t bear to look into his eyes, not like this. They were so close. His warm body was pressed against hers, and his arm curled gently over herwaist.
He kept his word. He didn’t try to pull her close or turn her around to face him, and he didn’t run his fingers across her back or down her arm. Even though she yearned for him to do it. All of it. Andmore.
Instead, he sucked in a deep breath and whispered, “Good night,Bree.”
