Page 124 of Visions & Shadows

“I’m only wearing underwear,” I mutter.

He raises an eyebrow at me. “So?”

You’ve got to be kidding me.

Scowling at the man, it’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him to go to hell, but then I grow too brave for my own good.

Fine. If he wants me to drop the towel, we can both be uncomfortable with me standing in nothing but pink lace.

Keeping my eyes locked with his, I take the towel off and set it down on the counter.

Instead of looking uncomfortable, Raighne’s eyes flick over my body, and the expression on his face darkens.

“What the fuck, Alchera?” he grumbles.

I glance down, and seeing the myriad of bruises on my torso and ribs,regret pours hot through my chest.

Thank God he can’t see the back of my leg.

He stalks toward me, anger pouring off him in waves. Grabbing hold of my arm, he turns me to see my leg, and I let out a groan.

“I knew you were keeping secrets from me,” he snaps. “Why the hell did you hide your wounds from me?”

I move backward, but it doesn’t help because he quickly closes the gap between us.

“I’m fine,” I argue. “You can’t heal every wound I get.”

I try to shove past him, but he grips me by my shoulders and shakes me.

“Enough!” His voice thunders in the small bathroom.

I cringe from his anger directed at me, and it has him taking a step away from me.

Shaking his head, he asks, “Why do you keep fighting our bond? You’ve become good at blocking me, but not that good. I can still get through when you’re tired.”

A confrontation with Raighne is the last thing I need right now. I’m already feeling nauseous and lightheaded, and the headache is making it hard to think.

I lower my gaze from his and stare at the tiles beneath my bare feet.

When I keep quiet, Raighne lets out a heavy breath and steps closer to me again.

He lifts his hands to my sides, and I feel his warmth spread through my ribs and torso.

Slowly, it becomes easier to breathe, and after a good ten minutes or so, he mutters, “Lean against me so I can check your back.”

“You need to take a break,” I argue.

“Lean against me, Alchera,” he snaps.

Letting out a sigh, I press my body to his and close my eyes. When his hands move over my back, removing the last of the whip lashes, I have to suppress the urge to sob in his arms.

I just want him to hold me until everything is better.

I wrap my arms around his waist and bury my face against his chest.

I start to feel even more sick, and convinced I have the flu, I wonder if Raighne can heal more than just wounds.

He pulls free from my hold and crouches in front of me. I glance away because he’s dangerously close to being at eye level with my lace panties.

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