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Soft, full lips brushed mine before he said, “I will wash you, then take you to bed.”
I considered arguing but then rational thought returned. I let him wash me thoroughly, from head to toe. When I returned the favor, toying impishly with my touches, I found myself up against the shower wall once again.
Which was exactly where I wanted to be.
Chapter 24
Casimir
Fractured beams from the sun came in through the skylight directly above, reflecting off Raven’s dark silky strands. Even in sleep, with her mouth parted adorably, she was beautiful.
I’d been watching her sleep peacefully in my arms for a short time when she began to stir. Sleepily, her eyes fluttered, finding mine right away.
“Good morning,” she greeted hoarsely, then cleared her throat. “I seem to be losing my voice. I wonder why that is.”
I smiled, unrepentant. “I can’t say I’m sorry for that because I’m not.”
I’d kept her up most of the night, neither of us able to slake our thirst. Eventually, exhaustion took over and we crashed in a heap of tangled limbs on the bed.
“It wasn’t a complaint,” she teased. Her fingertips traced my tattoo, something my mate seemed to like doing.
I tensed reflexively when she touched one of the moon glyphs woven into the design. It was the one closest to my heart.
“Why do you have these?” she asked.
“The tattoo or the specific glyph?”
“I know many Shadow demons who have gone into battle have their skin marked from the neck down, but I’m not aware of any of them incorporating symbols like these.”
Taking a breath, I debated what I would tell her. I didn’t talk about my past. Though, if I couldn’t be open with my mate then I could hardly expect the same from her.
Raven lifted up to her elbow, tapping on one of the marks on the front of my shoulder. “I don’t know much, but I know this is the mark for death. Why is it on you?”
“Because that’s what I am.”
“What does that mean?”
My chest rose, oxygen filling my system. “I was the Shadow Lord’s assassin. For many years as we clawed our way out from under an oppressive ruler, I was who Draven sent out to secretly eliminate enemies.”
“Why you?”
“Because I was good at it. We rationalized it would save lives to take out the worst of them without having to meet on the battlefield.”
Raven searched my face. I couldn’t hold her eyes for long, so I looked up to the ceiling, waiting for her judgment.
“That’s smart. I’m sure you saved many lives, on both sides.”
My eyes flew to hers. “Raven, Imurderedbeings at their most vulnerable. Do not make it sound noble when it is so very far from it.”
Raven's expression remained steady, her eyes softening with understanding. "I'm not trying to make it sound noble. But you did what you thought was necessary at the time, and I'm sure it weighed heavily on you. I don't judge you for what you had to do."
I let out a long breath, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. "Thank you," I whispered, pulling her closer to me.
We lay in silence for a while, the only sounds being our breathing. I ran my fingers through Raven's hair, feeling her relax against me.
"Can I ask you something?" she murmured, breaking the silence.
"Of course."
