Page 53 of Demon's Beauty

Even when she’s arguing with me.

“One thing you need to know about me is I’m stubborn as hell when it comes to my own judgment on healing. I know what I’m doing and I know what I can withstand.” She brushes the tips of her fingers up and down the arm I have wrapped around her. “And what I did last night? I would do it a hundred times over and never regret it.”

Warmth floods through me.

And frustration.

Along with a bit of shame.

My mate should not have had to put herself in that position for me.

She should never have been in danger.

I should have made sure she was always safe here. In my realm. On my watch.

“I can… feel that,” she says softly.

“Feel what?”

“Your… anger? Frustration? I don’t know. Whatever emotion you were feeling just now.”

“Can you?”

Soleil nods.

I’ve always heard witches are a little slower to pick up on the bond than demons are. Perhaps because it’s something that doesn’t exist in their realm, because it’s not a natural phenomenon there like it is for demonkind.

Whatever the reason, it’s surprising to hear she can already read me that well.

But perhaps I should have expected it from my clever, clever witch who can heal with such unimaginable skill, and whose magick no doubt attunes her well to others’ bodies and spirits.

“I’m not angry,” I murmur, powerless to stop the rising tide of sleep. “Just sorry.”

“Don’t be,” she whispers. “And don’t worry, either. Not right now. You need rest.”

“So do you.” The words come out in a mumble, and the last thing I feel before slipping into dreamland is the press of soft lips on my forehead.

“Okay. I’ll rest. But only if you do, too.”

Deal, I mean to tell her, but don’t get the chance before the world around me fades.

19

Soleil

Finn is a terrible patient.

It’s barely mid-morning before he’s trying to hoist himself up from the sleeping pallet in his tent, apparently convinced he’s made a full and miraculous recovery.

“Finn,” I grumble. “What do you think you’re—”

“It’s fine,” he murmurs, stroking my arm where I’m still tucked in cozy and warm. “You need more rest.”

“Youneed more rest.” I push the blankets back and glare at him.

He looks appropriately chagrined, but that doesn’t stop him from shaking his head and rising the rest of the way from the pallet.

I rise right after him, catching him gently by the shoulder and turning him to face me.