Page 48 of Underworld

My voice is still scratchy, but I manage to say, “I don’t blame you. And if you really need forgiveness for something that isn’t your fault, then . . . I forgive you.” I lift my arms enough so that I can caress their cheeks. It’s awkward, but I make it work. “Let it out. Keeping it all bottled up will only make it hurt more.”

I feel them both shift their faces closer to my neck, so I can’t turn my face to see theirs. That’s fine. They can hide if they need to. They’re both quiet, but I can hear the change in their breaths. Unsteady and clipped. Harsh and wet.

Being surrounded by their warmth, keeping my eyes open is hard. Between one breath and the next, I fall into oblivion.

I moan as my brain starts to wake. Fuck, my body hurts. Also, I’m starving! The smell of the woods and fire surrounds me. Mhm. Jace and Zane. I smile as I open my eyes and see that both are snuggled up as close as they can get to me. Shifting my gaze down to my feet, I see Howe and Alec are already awake. They whisper back and forth as they sit on the edge of the bed. Each of them has a hand resting on my feet, which makes my smile grow.

I clear my throat just loud enough for them to hear me but not loud enough to wake the two sleeping males beside me. Howe’s and Alec’s gazes shift to me quickly, and they each give me a sad smile.

I whisper, “Do I look that bad?”

They shake their heads, then Alec quietly speaks, “You always look beautiful. Although, I have to say it’s a good thing you didn’t get your face tattoo a few weeks ago. I think it may have been ruined if you had.”

I grimace. Yeah . . . that’s what I had been thinking too. I don’t know how it would have held up after being waterboarded and beaten. My stomach lets out a loud growl, and I feel my face heat. “I think I’m a bit hungry. You guys mind helping me out of this pile of limbs?”

Howe looks at Alec before saying, “We can make you something. I think these two will freak out if they wake up and you’re not here.”

Alec nods in agreement. “They have been a bit wild since you went missing. They haven’t slept much either.”

“What about you two? How are you?” I ask.

Howe shrugs and replies, “We are usually the ones who try to keep their hopes up. We knew we would find you, but these two go feral when it comes to you.”

Alec gives my foot a squeeze before standing. “We knew we would find you, but we had to make sure Jace and Zane believed that too. I’ll go make you something quick. Something small and light, so it doesn’t upset your stomach.”

I smile softly up at Alec. “Thank you.” He nods, then makes his way out of the room.

Howe gives my foot one last squeeze before he stands and says, “I’ll get a bath going for you. I’ll make sure there’s some stuff in there to help with the soreness.”

I nod. “I would love a bath.” As long as I keep my head out of the water, I think I'll be fine. I’m snuggled between my two males, so I take a moment to enjoy the feelings of warmth and safety they provide. I feel a hand touch my foot and open my eyes, not realizing I had closed them.

Alec is standing there with a tray and a smile. “I got you toast and fruit. I figured that would be light enough on your stomach. I also got you a small glass of chocolate milk because, as much as I know you would rather have coffee, that may be too harsh right now.”

I nod, looking at the males I am currently squashed between. Humming, I try to shimmy myself up the bed to lay against the headboard. Jace and Zane both mumble but snuggle into my lap once I’m in a seated position. I smirk, looking up at Alec. “I don’t think I’ll be able to hold the tray.”

Alec laughs softly as he makes his way to the side of the bed. He sets the tray down on the side table, then holds out a piece of toast. Smiling at him, I take a few small, tentative bites. Howe returns, smirking when he sees my new position.

“I see they didn’t wake up when you moved.” He points to Jace and Zane.

I finish chewing my bite of toast before saying, “They must be exhausted. They didn’t wake up when I moved.”

Howe hums. “They didn’t sleep much while you were gone. I’m sure they are making up for days of missed sleep right now.”

Alec nods as he says, “Once they wake up, we will show you your surprise.”

I grin. “Surprise?”

Howe snorts out a laugh. “Yes, a surprise, but you can’t have it until those two wake up.”

Looking down at the two sleeping forms in my lap, I debate if I should wake them up to get my surprise but think better of it. I can wait. They haven’t had much sleep, so I should let them catch up on rest. I huff out a sigh. “Alright, I suppose I can wait.”

Howe and Alec both grin at me. I look around the room and ask, “What should we do while we wait?”

Howe moves over to the side table and opens it, pulling out a remote. I smirk when he turns on the TV, making sure the volume is low. He lays across the bottom of the bed and turns on a movie. I grin when I see that it’s Deadpool. That movie will always be a classic go-to no matter what era it is.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Jace

---