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“We’re here.”
“No fucking shit, Satan,” I mutter. The car has stopped and the cold light of day breaking offers enough illumination to show me we’re back on campus, despite the tinted windows.
It’s morning. Or almost morning. Or something. I have no idea what day it is or when I was taken, how long I’ve been gone…anything.
What will happen when The Gods return and find me gone?
Oh. Yeah. Hector. They’ll already know. I guess he’ll tell them to save them a wasted trip going to collect me.
My limbs feel heavy and sluggish and I’m sure I dozed off a little on the way back. I’ve probably got drool on my chin, but that’s the least of my worries right now.
“You’re coming back with me,” Axel announces suddenly.
“Like fuck I am,” I spit, taking my anger and exhaustion out on him without meaning to.
“Have you learnt nothing?” He seethes. “If you’d just listened to me at breakfast…”
“They would still have taken me. At some point. You can’t lock me in your lair forever.”
“Want to bet…” he mutters darkly, then surprises me by doing a complete 180. “Are you hungry? Can I feed you?”
“Erm…” He’s completely floored me and I have no idea what to say.
“Please? I want to take care of you. I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you woke up. I need to make sure you’re okay.”
I so rarely get to see this side of Axel – that concerned, gentle part of him – that I find myself nodding in agreement.
“Okay. But in my room please.”
A flicker of annoyance crosses his face but it’s quickly gone. “Okay. But after you’re fed and rested, I’m having a doctor look over your injuries. It’s non-negotiable.”
I wouldn’t dream of arguing but I do add a caveat. “A female doctor, please.”
He tenses and the sharp jerk of his head is the only response he gives.
“Come on then. I’m going to carry you in, if that’s okay, because you don’t have anything on your feet.”
I didn’t even notice. Why wasn’t he concerned with the welfare of my feet at the hotel? Maybe because the public pavements are probably still cleaner than the concrete surrounding the halls of residence. He makes a good point.
“Okay.”
As if on cue, the driver opens the door and I worry that he’s been listening in. Axel climbs out but turns and looks back at me expectantly. I clamber towards him with zero grace, completely forgetting that I’m naked but for another man’s T-shirt. And then when I think about Hector, I want to burn it. Axel holds his palm out with seemingly infinite patience – which just doesn’t suit him at all – and I place my hand in his.
He helps me from the car but my feet never even touch the ground. He cradles me to his chest in a honeymoon hold and with a gentle clearing of his throat, the driver then shrugs his jacket and drapes it over my lap and legs. Axel gives him a rare nod of thanks and then we stride away without a backwards glance.
“Can you reach my key?” Axel asks as we approach my building. “I don’t want to let you go.”
The way he says let you go and not put you down does funny things to my insides.
“Where is it?”
“My jeans pocket.”
“Which one?” I tut.
“The front.”
With a little wiggling I’m able to slide my hand into his front pocket, which for some reason makes me squirm with embarrassment.
