Page 61 of Midnight of Ashes
My frown deepened as I watched her, but her focus dropped to her textbook. “It’s not always like that.”
31
HAYDEN
My bare feet padded down the carpeted hall toward my bedroom. Cáel poked his head out of the door. “Ready for bed?” His lips twitched. “I like the atom pajamas.”
My cheeks heated. The guys had clearly told Sharee some of my favorite things, and she’d worked that into my wardrobe. “I was just looking for Cillian.”
He’d been MIA all day, and it was starting to feel like it had been years since I’d even had a hug from him.
Knox strode up behind Cáel, and they shared a look.
I stiffened. “Where is he?”
Neither of their expressions spoke of anything good, and that had anxiety racing through me.
“He’s fine,” Knox assured me. “Just on horde business. Mad is with him.”
A little of my tension eased at that. I knew Maddox would have Cillian’s back through anything and vice versa. I bit my bottom lip. “Is it about me?”
Cáel frowned, tugging me to him. He rubbed the spot between my eyebrows. “Don’t like when you have worry lines.”
I nuzzled into him. “Then maybe you guys shouldn’t make me worry.”
Knox chuckled at that. “Don’t hold your breath on that one. But for now, you need sleep.”
I didn’t miss how they’d avoided my question. But that itself was an answer. I sighed, and Cáel lifted me into his arms. I didn’t fight him on it. I was too tired.
I could tell I was still getting my energy back from my injuries. I mostly felt back to normal, but at the end of a long day like this one, fatigue won out.
Cáel laid me gently in the center of my massive bed, and I crawled under the covers. I pinned him with my most intimidating stare. “Turn on my alarm, please.”
One corner of his mouth kicked up, but he hit a button on my clock.
“Thank you.” I dropped back onto the pillows.
Cáel reached behind his head and tugged off his tee. Shucking his gray sweats, he was left in nothing but black boxer briefs.
My eyes roamed over him. His entire form was decorated with intricate artwork. I really studied the skull covering his chest. In each eye socket was a landscape with mountains and a starry sky. In the sky were dragons.
“You keep staring at me like that and you won’t get the sleep you need,” Cáel said huskily.
Suddenly, sleep was the last thing on my mind.
Knox climbed into bed behind me, pulling me against his naked form. “We all need sleep.”
“Then you probably should’ve worn some pajamas to bed,” I huffed.
He chuckled. “Close your eyes.”
Cáel slid into bed on my other side, brushing his lips against mine as he turned out the light. “Good night, Little One.”
“Good night,” I whispered.
I didn’t think sleep would find me easily, but it quickly pulled me under. Only it was far from peaceful.
Branches slapped at my arms and face. The cuts and scratches stung as I ran faster, pushing my muscles as hard as I could go.
