Page 55 of A Spark Of Revenge

“I don't know what else to do, Mom. He’s so… mad,” Theo whispers brokenly. “And I can't even blame him. If it were me in that situation, I know I would be putting him through hell.”

“We did what we had to to protect him, sweetie. Considering Jordan's history with Demons and Beastia, we couldn't risk telling him early just in case he went to his father before Lennox could take control of the castle. It would have endangered not only Jordan's life but everyone at the castle as well.”

“I told you he wouldn't do that, Jordan wouldn't have betrayed us. But now he thinks we betrayed him,” Theo croaks out, and my heart hurts for my friend.

“I’m sorry, baby,” Elaine whispers, and I risk a peek around the screen, watching as Elaine hugs Theo, her shorter frame completely hidden by Theo's larger one. “We’ll just have to remind him how much we love him and hope he will forgive us one day. Maybe you can talk to Jordan at dinner tonight? It’s mandatory to attend, so you know he will be there,” Elaine adds, her voice shaky. I move back behind the screen, deciding to give them some privacy, and start taking off my blood-crusted bra and pants, grimacing when the fabric sticks to my skin from the amount of dried blood.

“Meyer, you can come out. The coast is clear,” Elaine calls out, and I grab the towel, frowning as I try to figure out what to do. I don't want to get it dirty, but I also don’t feel comfortable parading into the room naked with Elaine's presence.

“Ummm, so I decided to take my dirty clothes off,” I start to say as a warning that I may need some privacy.

“Oh, good. Come out and let me help you wash your hair. Dried blood can be so difficult to get out on your own without running water,” she replies, clapping her hands together.

“Right. But uh... I’m naked,” I point out, making Elaine giggle.

“That's typically the result when you take off your clothes,” Elaine points out, and despite my frustration towards her at the moment, I smile. “I’m okay with it as long as you are, dear. But if you would like, I can grab one of Creed's shirts or maybe find an extra towel so you can use one while I help you wash?”

“Yes, please!” I call out, then smile when Elaine's hand pops into view with a big black shirt clutched in her elegant fingers. “Thanks,” I chuckle, grabbing the shirt and throwing it over my head before stepping out from behind the screen and finding Elaine combining some water from two different buckets into a separate one.

“I thought it would be best to wash your hair before we fill up the tub. That way, you won't have to bathe in too much of the filth,” she explains.

“Yeah, that’d be great,” I admit as she nods at the bath.

“Kneel down and hang your head over the side,” she instructs, and I do as I’m told, closing my eyes when she pours warm water over my head and starts to lather my dirty locks. The soap immediately turns a rusty brown color, and I grimace, closing my eyes so I don't have to watch it run out of my hair.

“If Nox had told me about this before now, I could have had all this ready before you woke up,” Elaine grumbles, her fingertips massaging my scalp and making my eyes roll back at the amazing feeling.

“Yeah, that doesn’t sound like something Nox would really care about,” I grumble, keeping my eyes shut as Elaine rinses my hair and then has me sit up.

“That boy cares about you. He’s just going about it the wrong way. It seems that all men, no matter their species, turn into baboons the moment they start catching feelings,” Elaine admits, and I snort a laugh as she rinses the tub out and then pours the remaining water into it. There’s not much there, only about a foot deep, but it will be enough to get clean with, plus the warm water will feel nice on my sore muscles.

“The only feelings Nox has for me are those of frustration and anger,” I grind out before looking at Elaine and frowning. She is so beautiful and so freaking young. How did I not see that before now? “I—Are you and Nox…” I frown as Elaine stands, stacking the buckets into a tall leaning tower before looking over at me with a smirk on her beautiful face.

“Are we lovers?” she asks, and I immediately bristle, anger rushing through me like a hot wave. Elaine’s eyes widen, and she bites her lip as she tries to hide her smile. “Oh, you really are part Demon, aren't you? Did you know your eyes darken when you get upset?” she asks with a tinkling laugh, and I shake my head, eyes wide with surprise.

My eyes darken? Huh, I’m not sure if that's cool or not.

“But to answer your question. No, Meyer. Nox is a friend. A good one, but only a friend. I was married up until last week,” she reminds me, and I wince, my anger leaving in an instant.

“Right. I’m sorry. I just saw you with him earlier and assumed…” I trail off, my cheeks on fire as Elaine nods in understanding.

“I was having a moment of weakness, and Nox was a good friend and helped me out. It is nothing more than when I’ve seen you hug my son, Meyer. Nox is my friend, but I must say I’m glad to finally see some jealousy on your end. I was worried you didn't like him,” Elaine chuckles, and I scowl.

“I don’t,” I snap, making Elaine laugh even harder.

“Did you know I had to make him promise not to kill Jordan and Theo two weeks ago? They kept touching you, and he was out of his mind in a jealous rage.” Elaine chuckles as she turns and walks over to Creed's bed, plopping down on the blood-stained fabric like it’s no big deal to her. The casual behavior is so odd to see when all I have seen until this moment is the regal way she floats around the castle in her beautiful dresses. “I honestly thought I may have to send my boys out on a recon mission just to make sure he wouldn't flip out.”

“Really?” I ask, my lips quirking before I can remind myself that Nox is an asshole, and I don't care what he thinks of me or Theo and Jordan.

“Mm-hmm,” Elaine hums, nodding at the tub. “Jump in and get clean. Don’t worry, I’ll stay over here and give you some privacy.” I do as I’m told, yanking Creed's shirt off and jumping into the warm water, sighing in bliss when the water covers the bottom half of my body. “I put a rag and bar of soap right on the edge for you,” Elaine says from the bed, and I grab them, washing my body, making sure I get every crack and crevice.

“Thanks,” I mutter, scrubbing my skin until it turns red, washing every bit of blood and sweat from me.

“There's also a razor there. I found a few on Creed’s dresser and thought you might like one. Heaven knows the men around here don't think of simple hygiene products women like,” she grumbles, and I smile, delighted when I look to the other side of the tub and find a razor. I’m not going to lie… my legs are starting to look like I’m growing a damn forest in my pants.

“You're a godsend,” I rasp, immediately jumping at the opportunity to shave. “Elaine, can I ask you a question?” I say softly.

“Of course,” she agrees instantly.

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