Page 79 of Midnight of Ashes
Knox’s gaze locked with mine. “Stay.”
My throat worked as I swallowed. Leaving was the first thing I should’ve done.
But I didn’t.
I walked to the bed and slid in on Hayden’s other side, Knox watching me the entire time.
“Are you okay?”
I shook my head. “But it doesn’t matter anymore.” I was going to have to learn to live with my raging demons. Because my heart chose her, even though my brain told me she’d bring me to ruin. I’d just have to go down in the flames.
40
HAYDEN
Heat cocooned me on all sides, and I let out a nonsensical mumble as I blinked against the morning light. And I kept right on blinking at the sight that greeted me. I had to be dreaming. That was the only answer that made any sense.
Because the sight in front of me was something I’d been sure I’d never see. Easton was propped against the pillows, facing me. His long hair was mussed from sleep, curling around his shoulders in that gorgeous mix of browns and blonds. My fingers itched to touch it, but I knew that would break the dream.
“How do you feel?” he asked gruffly.
I blinked again. “I’m dreaming.”
Easton frowned. “No…”
A chuckle sounded behind me. “Not dreaming, baby.” Knox pressed a kiss to my shoulder as he sat up in bed.
I struggled to do the same. My body protested the action a bit. My muscles ached as if I’d gone on an especially rough rollercoaster ride, which had memories surging to the surface.
I squeezed my eyes closed, trying to fight them back.
Knox took my hand in an instant. “You’re okay. You’re safe.”
“Safe,” I whispered, trying to get myself to believe it.
Slowly, I opened my eyes to meet concerned green ones. Easton had shifted so that he was facing me. “Do you need medicine? Is anything hurting?”
I lifted my hand to my lip. The place where it had split didn’t show any sign of injury. Then my fingers dropped to my neck. I carefully prodded the skin there, but there was no pain.
“Marcus made you a few things to help with healing,” Knox explained.
The vague memory of him and Easton treating my wounds filled my mind. A soaking wet Easton.
My gaze flicked up to his. “You got into the bath with me.”
He’d ignored the fact that he was fully clothed and simply got right in. The memory had my heart twinging at his kindness.
“You needed someone.”
And for Easton, it was as simple as that.
“Thank you.”
That had him scowling. “You don’t need to thank me.”
“All right…” I turned to Knox. “What happened to, um, you know?”
I couldn’t find it in myself to say my advisor’s name, too scared it would send me spiraling again.
