Chapter Nine

Reagan

 

Rogda’s hand propelled me out of the bathroom, Luke’s harsh order still echoing around it. His dirty blond hair was dark when wet, falling into his brilliant eyes, and his broad shoulders had spilled out of the large tub. Everything else was hidden under bubbles, but I’d seen enough. In fact, I couldn’t get the image out of my head as I stood in the hallway and clenched my fists.

Aren’t I supposed to help you? I raged in my head.

I clomped downstairs, hoping Luke could hear it, and began to clean up from my tea with Rogda. I’d found her sitting in here after I’d returned. With both the aplomb of a warrior queen and the tender warmth of all amazing aunties, she’d greeted me and asked how I liked Winfyre.

I’d been so startled by her, her eye patch, tucked-in blouse, and high-waisted black pants, looking like a pirate, I’d blurted out how I was starting to let myself like it. She’d nodded with understanding and told me about her journey there, how her sons had all become shifters and they’d risked their lives to reach this coast.

“But when we were almost here, we were attacked,” Rogda said casually and gestured to her eye. “A small price for our lives. Lukas and Kal saved us.” She smiled to herself. “Men of Legend have come back to the world. Knights with strange gifts.” She’d laughed and twirled her fingers then. “Even old women, too.”

That’s when I’d found out she was a healer and helped out Luke, whom she’d adopted as her honorary nephew, along with the other Commands. Not only that, but she was both the chief healer of Winfyre and one of the most powerful. I’d been looking forward to learning from her.

As I finished cleaning up, I looked upstairs and put my hands on my hips. Rogda had made it seem like she was just stopping by for a visit, but she’d really been waiting for Luke to return. She knew he’d be injured. Well, if I was going to be his damn assistant, then I should know this stuff.

Bristling, I began to climb back upstairs. Honestly, what could Luke do? He could barely move. Probably bark at me again or be a grump. So what?

As I reached the landing, I could hear the rumble of his voice as he talked to Rogda, and a curious flutter went through my stomach. My heartbeat quickened, and I tried to calm down. I didn't want Luke hearing it and bellowing through the door at me.

Setting my jaw, I threw open the door and barged in.

“Didn’t I tell you to leave?” Luke barked, and his eyebrows drew up. He winced as he tried to sit up straighter. “I swear, Grace—”

“If I’m going to be your assistant, Swiftlore, then I need to know this stuff. Besides, what if Rogda gets sick? Or is needed elsewhere?” At her name, Rogda poked her head out from behind a screen in the corner, her eyes wide and dancing. Luke was staring at me as though not quite sure I was there. “So, there. That’s how it’s going to go around here.”

It took Luke a few tries, but he finally growled, “No, it isn’t.”

“Yes, it is,” I shot back.

“I’m still in charge of this territory, and of you, darling Reagan.” His eyes glittered. “Disobey me again, and I’ll throw your ass—”

“I don’t believe you, for one thing,” I interrupted, and Luke’s jaw slipped open a few inches. “And for another, I think you’re testing me.” The thought had come into my head, and Luke’s eyes slid away from mine, his jaw working. “Seeing if I can handle your tasks, mundane, weird, and moody. Oh, wait, that last one is just handling you. But I hate to break it to you—your bitching and moaning has nothing on my sister’s.” Sorry, Cassidy. “So, I win.”

“I’m…” Luke’s chest lifted and fell as he tried to find words, water droplets tracing over his thick chest. I made myself look at his face, but that wasn’t helping, either. “Dammit, Rea, I get you don’t take me seriously half the time, but I’m your boss.” He gestured at himself, and I sucked in a smile. “This is hardly appropriate.”

Rogda let out a loud, surprised laugh, and I joined in. “Propriety means little in survival,” I said. “And I’m not worried about my virtue—are you worried about yours?”

Now Rogda had to sit down, she was laughing so hard, and Luke flushed a dark red. “Out.”

“No,” I said. “You keep soaking and stewing, although I think you should relax.” I crossed over to Rogda, who beamed and wiped her eyes. “I’ll help you. Show me everything.”

“Grace, this was never part of your job description,” Luke said.

I turned back to him and saw he was gripping the sides of the tub, sitting up in a way that looked painful. I walked over, and he gave me an incredulous look.

“If this is some macho Alpha shifter bullshit,” I said, “stop that nonsense right now. How could I think less of a man who risks his life for others? And gets hurt in the process?” My voice was quiet, almost as though Rogda wasn’t in the room. “Please, Luke. I don’t like to half-ass things. I can’t. I need to learn this.”

Xander and Tristan were right. You worry too much.

He slumped and leaned his face into one hand. “This is a bad idea.”

Luke’s movements were so stiff and painful, it was making my own body ache. Rolling up my sleeves, I looked around for the shampoo and picked it up. Without even thinking about it, I squirted some on my palm and reached out for his hair.

His hands shot up and caught mine. “What are you doing?”

The harsh uncertainty in his voice arrested me.

“Helping you relax. Stop worrying so much. We’re living in a mountain sanctuary carved out by a bunch of shifters while the rest of the world implodes. I think a friend can wash your hair without adding to the chaos.”

Luke’s grip loosened a fraction. “I wouldn’t be so sure. And we’re friends? I thought you hated me for claiming you.”

"At first, I wasn't pleased," I said, and he slowly let me go. “But, I have to admit, it's nice to have a purpose and a life away from my family."

“Are you saying thank you?” Luke asked, and his voice was filled with his signature wicked amusement. “Or are you avoiding it?”

“Shut up,” I said and began to tentatively lather his hair. Luke didn't protest, and I kept going, massaging his scalp. The shampoo smelled good, and Luke’s hair was soft. It was nice to take care of someone because I wanted to, not because it was life or death.

“You can say it, Rea—the world won’t end,” Luke teased, though his words sounded a little strained, and his hands gripped the sides of the tub. But he didn’t tell me to stop.

“Ugh, thank you, Luke Swiftlore,” I said and scrubbed harder.

“You’re welcome,” he said and relaxed back into my hands. “Man, I have no idea how I got so lucky. Two beautiful ladies taking care of me.”

I smacked the back of his head. “Don’t ruin it.”

After a few minutes, when Luke had dunked himself and risen back up, grinning, he asked, “Conditioner?” I rolled my eyes and walked away. “Hey, Rogda, you were right.”

“Of course,” she replied. “What was it this time?”

“Rea does have strong hands.” I turned back and saw him watching me, one arm dangling to the ground and the other tucked under his chin. “You have my permission to teach her.”

“Like I needed it, boy,” Rogda retorted, causing Luke and me to both laugh.

 

I was downstairs making Luke a plate of food when Rogda appeared in the doorway and smiled at me. “He’s resting much easier now. Should be down any minute.”

“He’s already recovered?” I asked.

“No.” Rogda shook her head and sighed. “It is hard to explain.”

Even though both Rogda and Luke had agreed I could help take care of him, both of them were reticent about what triggered this pain or a long-term solution. Rogda clearly thought it wasn’t a tenable arrangement, but Luke had been inflexible on that point.

“Since he’s upstairs, can I ask again what this is? Something with shifting?” I asked.

“It is not my secret to tell,” Rogda said. “Only you and I know it is still reoccurring. Xander doesn’t.” Her gaze was solemn. “Perhaps you are the solution I have been praying for.”

“Maybe,” I said and shrugged. “But I mean, he’s completely impossible.”

“Yet here you are, a healer’s assistant in one night in addition to the Command’s,” Rogda said and winked at me. “I will rest easier knowing you’re here.”

I nodded. We’d made poultices for Luke, along with a healing draught to help his body repair itself, smelling of pungent herbs. After he’d soaked, he’d kicked us out and scrubbed off. Finally, he’d come out in a low-slung pair of sweats and a shit-eating grin.

“Now’s the fun part,” he’d said.

At first, I’d been a little flustered, but it wasn’t a romantic or relaxing massage. Rogda put some serious elbow grease into loosening up that man's muscles. He'd tried to relax, but I'd seen the spasms of pain and the way his jaw tensed.

“I think it’s going to take me a while to get to your level,” I said, thinking of it.

“Ah, well, I was a sports masseuse in another life for an Olympian,” she said cheerfully. “It’s to be expected.”

We went back into the living room together, and Luke was coming down the stairs, his movements slow, but much more fluid than earlier. To my surprise, my own muscles loosened, and a small smile was on my face. Seeing Luke recovering resolved a tension hanging over this house.

Once he sat down, I gave him his plate, and Rogda picked up her bag.

“Aw, Rog, you’re leaving?” Luke asked and twinkled at her. “Thank you, as always.”

“As always, you’re welcome, nephew,” Rogda said and lingered at the door. “It’s good to have someone worrying about how much you worry.” She winked at me. “Especially someone like her. It was an excellent claim. I’m glad you waited.”

I gaped as she laughed and went out the front door. Coming back over to the couch, I looked at Luke, who smiled at me.

“You’re all right?” I asked and twisted a piece of my hair. After everything that had happened today, I was exhausted. He nodded and continued to eat. “I apologize for wandering off.”

“Mm, remind me to punish you for that,” Luke said, and I stared at him. “Joking.”

“I thought I was within Winfyre,” I muttered. The most crucial Law was to stay inside of the territory’s borders. “I swear, I wasn’t trying to cause trouble.”

“You were straying into a kind of no man’s land on the eastern edge. I should have warned you,” Luke said and picked up his water. His hands were steady again, and he caught me watching. “Reagan, I’m fine. Thanks to you and Rogda, patchin’ me up and working out the knots.”

“You do seem a lot better,” I said and twisted my hands.

There were a lot of things running through my head, and one of them was an insistent desire to ask him to take a break from shifting. As though I hadn’t pushed it enough tonight.

“What’s that face?” Luke asked, and I leaned back, shaking my head. It occurred to me that this was the first time we’d sat and spent time together like this. A pulse of heat went through my chest, and I found myself on my feet. “Listen, bumps and bruises—it’s part of the job, darlin’.”

What if you got stranded somewhere? What if someone took advantage of it? What if…

“Rogda’s right, you do worry a lot,” Luke said and sniffed the air. “It’s like bitter apples in here. Can you think of something else? Try beaches.”

“You can smell that?” I asked.

Luke gave me a mischievous grin. “Don’t worry, you always smell delicious to me, Rea.”

“Nice.” I rolled my eyes. “Well, if you’re all set, I think I’ll go to bed. I’m tired.” Then I blinked and stared at him. I’d almost forgotten. “So, what was that thing in the woods? Did you catch it?”

“Not this time,” Luke said, and his eyes closed. “I will, though.”

It gave me an opportunity to look at his face at closer range. His face had sharper lines around the eyes and nose than I’d realized, with a contrast of rounded cheekbones and a square jaw. His dusky blond hair had dried in tendrils at his nape, and his broad chest was rippled with it. Part of me wanted to let my fingers trace across it, up his stubbly jaw and those stubborn lips.

Oh. Oh no, what am I thinking? I rubbed my eyes. Okay, I was exhausted, and I hadn’t been around a man in far too long. Never mind with a man. God, what had that been now? Two years?

Darker and deeper heat wove through my veins, and I fidgeted, before blurting out, “Night.” Then I pressed my hands into my thighs and watched his turquoise eyes slowly blink open. “Wait, do you need help? Like getting upstairs or anything?”

Luke gave me a lazy and indulgent smile, shaking his head. “Nah, I can handle it. Night.” I walked away and smoothed back my hair. “Careful though, Rea.” His voice had a wicked purr that stopped me in my tracks. “Might be tempted to take advantage of that kind of offer.”

“Anything you need or want, that I can get or do within reason, I’ll be there,” I said.

Now the playfulness vanished. “Thank you, Rea,” he said seriously. “I’m starting to wonder how I functioned before you got here.”

My breath caught, and I nodded, throat tight. That meant a lot. “Thank you,” I whispered.

Finally, I escaped into my room.

Leaning against the door, I inhaled the now familiar scent of wood, outside air, wood smoke, and the faint hint of Luke. I wasn’t sure when it had happened, but suddenly, whatever this was…

Well, all this was a hell of a lot more than a job, that was for damn sure.