Brace cursed, but his hands were still gentle.
“You have no idea the level of self-control required right now.” His teasing helped to shift my attention from the pain. “And I think I hate bubbles.”
I managed a smile. “You hate bubbles?”
“They’re caressing every naked inch of your beautiful body, and that’s really my job.”
His words were the perfect distraction. My body was now flush with levels of want and need I was very much unaccustomed to. I almost reached out to pull him in with me. But before I could react, he reached behind me for some type of soft sponge and started to gently dab it over my shoulders.
He didn’t go any lower, for which I was both grateful and disappointed. But I knew my wounds couldn’t stand to be touched.
After a few sweeps from Brace, my panic took over, and, grabbing my own cloth, I started to scrub harder. I had to erase all moments in that prison. I dropped below the water for a moment to soak my hair. After many rinses, I finally felt as if I was clean.
Suddenly the water started to bubble. I could feel pulsing shoots of water from jets all around the tub.
“Close your eyes and relax, Red. I’ll be here, and I promise not to let you drown.”
Since I was safe, clean and warm, I dropped my heavy head back into the groove and, closing my eyes, drifted off.
Chapter 8
After awakening in my bath, I opened my eyes to see Brace leaning against the wall. It looked as if he hadn’t taken his eyes off me the entire time. Striding forward, he touched my face gently.
“Find Lucy and Lalli. They’re worrying themselves to death,” he said, giving me one last nod before leaving.
I hurried to dress and make my way downstairs.
Descending to the next level, I looked around. The house seemed strangely silent. Where was everyone?
“Aribella,” Lallielle exited the theatre room at a rapid pace, “thank god you’re here safe and sound.”
She gathered me gently into her arms, her sweet scent surrounding me. She ushered me into the room, where Lucy pounced on me. I found myself bundled up on the cinema room couch, its luxurious depths once again enfolding me in a loving embrace. I had Lucy snuggled up on one side and Lallielle on the other. A Man vs Wild episode was on the television.
Lucy was bringing out all my favorites, trying to distract me, but I couldn’t concentrate. I didn’t even care about the popcorn and chocolate, although I still ate them (I’d hate to waste that type of goodness). Thankfully my burns were finally starting to heal; I was barely in any pain now. Although their rapid scabbing over was itchy and a little annoying.
“Honestly,” I said for the fiftieth time, “why the hell couldn’t they just leave it alone?”
Apparently Brace and Josian had taken off to find the blond Doreen.
“I still can’t believe he didn’t tell you he was a Walker. That boy needs his ass kicked.” Lucy was furious.
When I told her everything, including the possibility Brace was my mate, she’d exploded.
“I still don’t understand how your father never sensed Walker energy from him. I was under the impression they could always tell one another,” Lallielle fretted.
“I’m pretty sure Walkers don’t know the ass end of a Walker from the ass end of a donkey,” I said bluntly. “All their stories are useless. Not one of them has worked out yet.” I crossed my arms, daring Lallielle to rebuke me for my language.
She wisely remained silent.
“I might be spitting mad at Lying McLiar,” Lucy had started giving Brace a variety of nicknames, “but, Abbs, you should have seen him when you went missing. The moment he pulled us through the doorway he went nuts. The air around him was pulsing with energy, and he kept setting things on fire.”
Lucy’s anger had re-sparked my own. Despite Brace’s sweetness when he had cared for me upstairs I was still upset. The betrayal was hard for me to get over. I didn’t trust easy, and it felt like such a slap in the face since he was one of the very few people I had counted on. But I did know one thing. I owed Brace for the rest of my very long life for saving Lucy.
“But, let me tell you, the most shocking was Lucas,” Lucy continued.
I spun around in my chair to face her directly.
“What do you mean? What happened with Lucas?” I hadn’t seen him. He’d been called back to the palace, something about his father.
“Well, Abbs, he was almost as angry as your big giant Le-Liar. But he’s like the opposite of Brace; he froze, wouldn’t talk to anyone. When I walked past him, I swear, icicles attached to me.”
“Well, those two have always reminded me of bookends, one fire and the other ice.”