Page 62 of Demure
Sierra didn’t say anything else as Kaye closed the door behind her.
Glad to finally be in water which was for bathing, and not preparing her for bloodletting, Sierra didn’t waste any time slipping off the loaned clothes and sinking into the water. She wasn’t sure how Kaye did it, but the water was the perfect temperature.
Using the soap that had been left for her, she quickly scrubbed herself and washed her hair, marveling at how smooth her skin was. It had been lesion-pocked for so long, it was an absolute luxury to be able to run her hand up her arm without stopping.
The water seemed to stay warmer much longer than was natural, and Sierra briefly wondered if the tub carried an enchantment or if it, too, was made from a special material to help it fulfill its purpose.
Either way, after some time, she climbed from the tub, wrapped a towel around herself, and headed into the bedroom to find that Kaye had managed to put fresh sheets on the bed while she had been bathing. A large tunic was laid out on the bed, likely belonging to Aodhan, along with some undergarments that resembled boy short underwear in the human world. Sierra was so tired that she didn’t really care who the tunic or undergarment belonged to as she pulled them on and slid into bed.
She must’ve fallen asleep quickly because the next thing Sierra knew, it was pitch black in the room, and she could hear a rustling sound in the dark. Kaye must’ve removed the lighting jars or shut them off somehow. She was so sure it was Kaye cleaning up after her bath that Sierra rolled over to her other side, intending to go right back to sleep.
It wasn’t until she felt the covers being pulled back and awarm body slipping into bed with her that she realized something was off, and within a millisecond, her mind snapped awake. Sierra yanked herself back from whoever was in bed with her, yelling as she ended up on the floor. It was still pitch black as Sierra fought her way to her feet, her legs tangled in the luxurious sheets she had been praising just hours before.
Once she was standing on her feet, her back against the wall, she realized whoever it had been wasn’t trying to grab her or put a hand over her mouth as she expected from a kidnapping. Debating whether to yell again, or to use her words, Sierra finally decided on the latter. “Wh-who’s there?” She stuttered, her voice coming out way weaker than she intended.
“It’s me.”
For a moment, Sierra’s mind was confused. The voice sounded so familiar but much lower than Aislan’s?—
“A-Aodhan?” she asked in shock.
He must’ve been fixing the lights, or turning them on or whatever, because a moment later, the jars illuminated the room in a low yellow glow that glinted off Aodhan’s chiseled jaw, his eyes looking ocean green rather than their usual emerald.
Sierra wasn’t sure what she was expecting him to say as they stared at each other in the dim light after what had been a terrible week—or was it two? But it certainly wasn’t the “yes” that came out of his mouth as he crossed the bed, coming to stand in front of her.
Sierra’s breath came out in ragged gasps as her sleep-addled brain tried to catch up to what was going on. “Is this a dream?” she asked in a breathy whisper, as Aodhan’s hands came to rest on either side of her face.
“If so, we are having the same dream, I suppose,” he replied, pressing his lips to hers.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Just like their first kiss, outside the pizza restaurant almost a month before, it took her a minute to come to her senses. The situation was different now, as they were technically dating, but it had been a long two weeks, and much had happened as a result of the man kissing her, so Sierra didn’t want to wait for answers.
Although she was enjoying the feel of Aodhan’s hard body pressing up against hers while her back was to the wall, she slid her hands between them, pressing hard on his chest until his lips detached from hers and he took a step back.
Sierra opened her mouth to demand some answers, but before she could say anything, a voice called from the doorway, “What the hell are you doing here, motherfucker?” Braan looked peeved, some sort of battle axe gripped in his fist that was lifted above his head. “We were just about to launch a massive rescue mission, and your ass is chilling here in your treehouse?”
Aodhan held up his hand, eyes wide at the sight of three people standing in the doorway. “Listen. I’m a bit confused as well, as I didn’t expect you all to be here, though I guess I should’ve known something was up when the main rope wasnowhere to be found.” Braan crossed his arms, his left eyebrow lifted in disdain. “But I promise I was imprisoned up until this morning, and I did, in fact, at some point need a rescue mission.”
Braan cocked his head to the side. “We’re listening.”
Aodhan might’ve been about to respond, but then his eyes landed on the face over Braan’s shoulder. “Aislin?” he squeaked out.
Aislan lifted his chin defiantly. “It’s Aislan now.”
“Wow, I…uh…” It was clear Aodhan didn’t know what to say about the current development of events. “Congrats. I’m proud of you,deir-dearthair.”
Sierra didn’t speak Gaelic, but she was pretty sure Aodhan had just made a gender correction in their language.
“We can catch up on the family matters later. Aodhan, you need to tell us how you are standing in this room right now.” Braan had lowered his axe-bearing fist, but it was clear he was not excited about being woken up for this development of events.
Aodhan’s eyes turned back to Sierra, taking in the fact that she was wearing nothing but his shirt and was still somewhat pressed up against the wall. Her legs were quivering, thanks to the adrenaline of thinking she had been about to be abducted for the second time in two weeks.
“Yes, I’ll explain, but please let me talk to Sierra first.”
Braan’s chin protruded a fraction as he gritted his teeth. “Fine. We will wait out here, but make it fast.” The door closed behind him with a click.
Aodhan turned back to Sierra, and she could see the flame igniting in his eyes as he took in the state of her undress. Before he could say anything suggestive that would cause them to dive right back into bed, she stepped to the side, sinking down to sit on the edge of the bed. “Don’t even think about touching me,” she spat with as much venom as she could in her current state, but it came out shaky as the adrenaline was still flowing. “You owe me an explanation.”
