SIX HOURS.

Tess convinced me to give Elder six hours of uninterrupted rest.

No washing blood from his skin.

No stripping his body of clothes.

No food or water.

Just rest.

She promised me sleep would do what nothing else could. That Elder was so close to depleting everything he had left, nothing else mattered to his system but remaining unconscious long enough to stitch together the pieces he’d shredded.

She’d used case studies of women who’d come into her care from Q’s vigilante hunts to convince me. Mentioning how some of them would sleep for weeks until they were mentally and physically ready to embark on the rest of their healing.

I knew from living with Alrik that sleeping had been the only thing he couldn’t take from me. Sure, he could deprive me and torture me, keeping me awake for days, but when I finally slipped into slumber…well, Tess was right.

There, I healed just enough to face the next day. My bruises faded just enough to climb out of bed. My soul bandaged enough not to use the curtain cord to hang myself.

Elder would rest safe and unmolested.

And I would be there for him to tend and take care of the instant he awoke.

Reluctantly, I’d followed the crowd from my borrowed room and looked one final time at Elder, bundled beneath the bed covers and passed out cold.

Our footsteps had been hushed as we descended the stairs to find staff members wiping away globs of blood smeared on the foyer’s floor.

A vase had shattered from someone barrelling into the side table. A framed picture had fallen from the wall and glass sprinkled like crystal dust everywhere.

In a daze, I’d accepted food—what, I couldn’t remember. In a fugue, I’d counted the clock above the fireplace.

With my heart turning worrywart and nursemaid, it’d winged upstairs to never leave Elder’s side even as I’d sat in the lounge and listened to the hushed French tones of Tess and Q’s conversation.

No doubt they discussed Elder’s condition, my circumstance, and how to get everyone home safely. There was no mention of kicking us out until Elder was able. Their hospitality after so much ill will made tears prick and nerves form.

Part of me wanted to go home—to return to the Phantom where Michaels could fix Elder and we could continue running from the Chinmoku. But the other part wanted to stay here where ancient castle walls were ten times thicker than any yacht and Elder could heal in the heart of it.

If he was here, the Chinmoku couldn’t find him.

If he was here, he could get better before he had to fight again.

If the Chinmoku find him before he’s healed…they’ll kill him.

I choked on a worried gasp, my eyes soaring to the clock again.

Five hours.

Elder had rested for five hours. Could a miracle have happened and broken bones and bullet holes no longer exist?

Dawn wasn’t far off, and we’d overstayed our welcome already. Elder must be capable of surviving because I couldn’t permit anything less.

Q had left the lounge an hour or so ago, and Tess appeared from the kitchen to join me on the couch.

Her voice remained hushed as if she was aware of the witching hour and all the nasties that lived within it. “Maître and I have come to an agreement. You and Elder are to stay here until he’s healed. Don’t think for a moment that just because day breaks you have to leave.  Mrs Sucre loves any excuse to cook a feast, and her talent in the kitchen is bound to pile some healthy weight onto both of you.”

The men might’ve called a truce (for now), but I didn’t think that truce covered sharing food.

“Suzette, I’m sure, would love to talk to you more—now you’re not using her as a hostage.” Tess laughed. “And I, for one, would be happy to have someone I can talk to and not have to heal. It’s a very rewarding life we lead, but sometimes…it would be nice not to have to worry about what I say in case it’s incredibly painful for our guests.”

I tore my eyes from the fire’s flames to look at hers. The invitation to be her friend blew me away.

She smiled. “Of course, if that all sounds too much, then you can have food in your room and leave the moment Elder wakes.”

I didn’t know how to say how honoured I was. That the thought of talking—truly talking—was a dream come true, especially for a psychologist’s daughter who’d been taught to verbalize her demons in order to tame them.

But all I focused on was Elder.

All I could think about was Elder.

He was where my thoughts and heart lay. He was my first and only priority. “You’re very generous, and I’d love to say he’d accept your offer, but he won’t want to stay.”

She shrugged. “Is it really his choice when he can barely speak, let alone move?”

“He’ll be rude about it. He’ll say something like ‘I won’t sleep in my enemy’s house. Hell no.’ or something along those lines.”

Tess nudged my shoulder with hers, laughing under her breath. “You sound like you know him well.”

I cracked a smile. “I know enough to understand when he feels backed into a corner he snaps. He doesn’t mean to be cruel or ungrateful; he’s just so used to relying on himself. He refuses love and care from others as he can’t bear to be hurt again.”

“I know that feeling.” She rested her head on the couch. “He won’t change his mind on that matter. He won’t be able to after a life of conditioning.”

“So you’re saying he’ll forever need to be alone?” My heart squeezed. “That eventually, he’ll push me away, too?”

She closed her eyes, shaking her head a little. “I said he wouldn’t change his mind. It will always be there…that little survivalist telling him it’s safer to be alone. But he won’t be able to stop another changing it for him.” She chuckled. “You’ve already done that. He fell in love with you. He’s relying on you whether he wants to or not.”

I fell silent, absorbing that revelation.

Tess murmured sleepily, “If you make this about you, he’ll stay because he’ll do anything you ask of him.”

“I think you’re over estimating his love—”

Her eyes snapped open. “I’m not. Believe me. And you know that’s true. He almost died fighting for your honour. If you make it sound like staying here benefits you, he won’t argue.”

Patting my hand, she hauled herself to her feet. “I’m going to bed. I suggest you check on him, if only for your peace of mind. When six hours has passed, feel free to wake him and offer food and water. Perhaps a sponge bath would do him good as well.”

With a soft laugh, she left me alone, and I returned to counting the clock.

* * * * *

The scent of unwashed male and coppery blood met my nose the moment I cracked open the door.

I swallowed hard, allowing my eyes to adjust to the darkness as I stepped into the room.

Dawn pinked the sky and the gardens dazzled with newness but shadows held supremacy in here, holding court and casting long fingers over Elder, cloaking his injuries.

He didn’t stir as I turned and closed the door, holding my breath as I twisted the lock, and the soft click of it engaging echoed in the silent space.

Funny how only a few hours ago this door had been locked from the outside with enemies all around me. Now, I barricaded it from the inside with almost-friends keeping us safe.

I shivered from a sudden fear that he wouldn’t want me here. That he wouldn’t want me to see him like this even though it opened my heart to yet another level of love. Ever since he’d rescued me, I’d seen him as some immortal being who could slay anything and conquer anyone.

To see him this…human made me tumble all the way down from puppy love to bone-deep forever love. He was stuck with me in sickness and in health—regardless if he wanted me or not.

Breathing quietly, I made my way toward him, coming to a stop by the side of the bed.

In the silver-pink light, everything was pure and multi-dimensional. His ebony hair scattered on the white pillow, his cheeks hollow from pain and skin pinched from fever. New bruises mottled his cheekbones while one eyebrow swelled and his jaw had turned a sickly shade of green.

Beneath his blood stained clothes, his stomach rose and fell with breath, but concave with loss of food and energy. Even his hands weren’t safe from punishment with a finger bent abnormally and grazes on his knuckles.

And that was just the parts of him I could see.

What does he look like beneath his clothes?

Even with my morbid curiosity, I didn’t want to wake him—revelling in the opportunity to study him.

But either his instincts were too finely tuned or he’d been faking sleep as his eyes snapped open, unfocused but severe, ready for more war.

He groaned loudly as he tried to throw himself upright, only for every part of his body to scream a loud, unequivocal no.

Falling against the mattress, he grunted with agony, panting hard.

Grabbing his hand, doing my best not to squeeze parts I shouldn’t squeeze, I rushed, “It’s me. Just me.” My heart grew to the size of a forest, full of new leaves and old, a change of season from needing to be the one protected to the one doing the protecting. “I’m here. No one else. Just us.”

His breathing continued fast and ragged, but his eyes warmed and a gentle smile twitched his lips. “I thought you’d left me here to rot.”

I shook my head. “No, I was told not to disturb you. That you needed rest.”

“How long was I out? Ten minutes? Fifteen?”

My eyes widened, studying him for a prank. Did he honestly believe it’d only been that long? Glancing over my shoulder at the rapidly pinking sky, I said, “It’s almost a new day, El. You’ve slept six hours.”

“What?” He launched himself up, unsuccessful and crying out with a few growled curse words as the bed once again claimed him. “Goddammit, why didn’t Selix get me out of here? I don’t want to sleep in my enemy’s house. No fucking way.”

I laughed. I couldn’t help it. It was almost word perfect to the prediction I’d given Tess. “I thought you might say that.”

“And what did you think my reaction would be when I woke up to find I’d wasted almost an entire evening here?”

“I thought you’d be angry and suspicious and not able to relax.”

He huffed. “If you can guess my moods and pre-empt my needs, then why the hell are we still here and not on the Phantom?”

Tess’s advice swam in my head. “If you make it sound like staying here benefits you…he won’t argue.” Wasn’t that emotional manipulation? Wasn’t that unethical between two people who supposedly trusted each other?

I’d been lied to and controlled for too long to do it with Elder. The truth was the only way.

Straightening my back, I whispered in the dark silence, “I accepted their offer of staying for a little while.”

His face turned red with unchecked frustration. “You did what? Why? We don’t need them, Pimlico. That asshole shot me. I don’t want to spend any more time than necess—”

“You need rest, Elder.” Not letting his temper affect me, I remained calm and quiet. “You’re hurt. I can’t imagine Michaels advised a punch up so soon after being shot and beaten. You aren’t capable of going anywhere without it being detrimental to your health. Your finger needs attending to. Your ankle. Your arm. Not to mention all the other parts of you I can’t see beneath the covers.”

I tugged at the sheet around his chest. “What other injuries are you hiding? Can’t you admit for once that putting your health first is the best thing for everyone?”

He clutched the sheet, holding it tight and refusing to let me see. His eyes blazed, burying me beneath tension and guilt. “I want to be back on the Phantom, Pim. You know how I feel about being on land.”

I sighed. “I know. I get that. But would one night truly hurt?”

“One night? We’ve already endured one night.” He glowered. “That’s enough.” Tearing his gaze from mine, he looked at the door. “Go find Selix and tell him it’s time to leave.”

Leave?

God, I suck at this.

He couldn’t leave. He could barely sit up. I couldn’t let whatever fever stalked him and whatever wounds drained him to make him worse.

I’d tried the truth, and it hadn’t worked with this pig-headed specimen of a man.

It was time to try a little white lie…for his benefit.

Twirling my fingers into the sheet, I allowed some of my shame and guilt to show. “Did you know Tess was sold to Q…before they were married?” I didn’t wait for Elder to answer—it was purely a rhetorical question, leading into my attempt at misdirection and trickery. “Her past is fascinating, and having another woman who knows what it’s like to be captured and sold…” I looked up beneath brown bangs. “I’m not ready to go yet. I have things I need to ask her.”

He froze, searching my face. “What things?”

I inhaled, doing my best to think on my feet. Luckily, I didn’t have to lie on this point. “Like talking through the parts of what happened to me with another woman.”

“Why can’t you talk about it with me?” His forehead furrowed, hurt glistening in his eyes.

Grabbing his hand again, I smiled. “I can, and I have. You know more about me than you probably should, and I wish I could stop bringing him up. Especially because what he did to me has no control or place in our future.”

“Then…let’s go home.” His hand turned in mine, twisting to capture my wrist, his fingers searching for my pulse as if reaffirming to himself I was alive, he was alive, therefore we should be anywhere but here.

“We will. Just…one more day.” I threw everything I could into my implore. “The moment I’m away from Tess, who knows if I’ll ever find someone who has such similar trials in her past. You rescued my body and soul, El, and I’m almost whole thanks to you, but I think she might be the final piece I need to fix my mind.”

He slouched into the pillows, half of his face in shadow with disagreement and the other in dawn with understanding. The two battled for domination, one choice meaning he gave me what I wanted at the expense of what he preferred, and the other making me leave after I’d explicitly asked—for the first time in my life—for his agreement. A simple request to stay another night so we both might heal a little more.

Before we’re at the mercy of the Chinmoku again.

Endless seconds ticked past while he bit his bottom lip, deliberating. The harsh lines around his eyes spoke of unwillingness to give in, but his silence hinted that he didn’t want to bark commands or order me to obey.

Finally, his face melted into glowing affection, ripping the air right from my lungs with how beautiful he was. “You are your own person, Pim. If you want to stay, then I won’t stop you. If anything, it will be my honour to stand beside you.” With gravel and caramel, he added gently, “In fact, you’ve just given me something I didn’t think would happen for a very long time…if at all.”

Cupping my cheek, he brought me closer until his lips brushed mine. “After two years of distrusting, you’re finally learning that not all humans are evil. In a way, I’m jealous. I’ll no longer have your undivided attention; I won’t be the only one you want to be close to—”

“It’s not about that. I didn’t mean to make it seem like I—”

“I know, and you didn’t. You didn’t let me finish.” Smiling, he kissed me bittersweet. “What I was about to say was, I’m so damn proud of you. Of how strong you are. How fearless. I think I just fell even more in love with you, and I honestly thought I’d fallen all the way. I love you, Pim. So fucking much.”

I gasped.

My heart scurried, hating itself for lying when Elder just gave me something so unbearably precious. His praise wasn’t justified even if I did want to talk to Tess. His honour and pride misplaced even if I did see humans as individuals now rather than as one mass of devil-incarnate.

If I had the choice of returning to the Phantom with him with no injuries and never see Tess again, I would leap at the chance. But his circumstances meant I got a chance to seek female companionship, and after that initial craving in Monte Carlo—thanks to the fresh-faced, sweetheart Simone—I wanted to know what it felt like to tell a girl secrets and have them get it.

I was selfish.

Really, I should find the courage to discuss the awful, awful things my body had endured with Elder.

But does he truly want to know?

In his eyes, I’d been a broken, weak little thing, but now I was strong and unbruised.

If I told him what remained festering in my heart, I might tarnish his pride and turn it into something that could push him away from me. It could stop him from sleeping with me or prevent him from believing I could handle his desires.

No. I can’t risk ruining what we have.

I didn’t know the answers to what I should and shouldn’t do. I didn’t know how to reconcile lying when really my lie was wrapped up with truth.

Guilt ate me alive as Elder caressed my cheek then twined his fingers into my hair. “You’ve gone quiet on me, little mouse.”

I closed my eyes, falling into him, kissing him. “I love you, too. So much.”

Chuckling beneath my lips, he groaned. “I love hearing you say that. Say it again.”

Another kiss. “I love you, Elder Prest.” And another.

His groan turned to a growl. “Okay, we’ll stay. One more night. Now kiss me again and make me forget where I am.”