Page 51 of Dragon Heir

“Only amnesia and severe exhaustion, but that is enough to make one’s heart heavy for the victim,” Allard replied.

Will swept his eyes over the company. “We need to check that all the windows and doors are shut and locked and that no one is left alone.”

“That is a task we can all do together,” Vargas spoke up.

We went about our task with not so much enthusiasm as a grim determination not to let our security slip. Every nook and cranny was checked and every door and window secured.

The bright sunny day descended into night and the threatening shadows stretched through the windows and into the house.

Will lit the wood in the hearths and especially the one in the parlor where we all sat. Ware wrinkled his nose. “Why are you doing that? The night is not a cold one.”

“Each chimney is an entrance for our foes,” Will pointed out as he stepped back to admire his work. “Fortunately, they don’t appear to like my fire any more than the average monster.”

Vargas wrapped her arms around herself and cast a suspicious glare at the windows that looked out on the dark lawn. “How long will we be forced to seek refuge within these walls?”

“At least until the new day dawns and we will be able to see our foes,” Will commented as he tossed a log onto the fire.

Vargas hopped to her feet and lifted her chin. “If that is true then I will take my bath and bid you all a good night.”

“Allow me to accompany you,” Ware offered as he stood.

Vargas’ eyes widened and her jaw dropped open. A faint blush accented her cheeks as her body trembled. “Whatever do you mean by that?”

Ware stared blankly at her for a moment before the double entendre in his words dawned on him. His face then resembled a tomato and his mouth flopped open. “T-that is, I meant only to accompany you-” He froze as his words devolved into the same dual meaning. Ware gathered himself and cleared his throat though his cheeks still reminded a viewer of Christmas baubles. “I am offering to accompany you upstairs so you will not be alone up there.”

Vargas lifted her chin. “D-do whatever you wish. I am taking my bath.”

“I will prepare the water,” Raines offered before he slipped out of the room to fulfill his household duty.

I turned to Will. “Is the fire in our room ready?”

He nodded. “And the bed is made, if you’re feeling sleepy.”

I stretched my arms above my head and stifled a yawn. “I think I could use a little rest but aren’t you coming?”

Will’s gaze fell upon the crackling fire and a pensive expression slipped into his eyes. “I will remain awake for the first watch.”

I frowned and clapped a hand over the arm of the couch on which I sat. “Then I’ll stay with you.”

“I will remain with Lord Thorn,” Allard offered as his twinkling eyes settled on Enna. “Your lovely companion and you may go upstairs and get some rest. We will call you when your guard hour comes up.”

I cast a suspicious look at Will. “You really will?”

“Don’t you trust me?” he teased.

I snorted. “I trust you to leave me to sleep the whole night.”

Enna rolled her eyes. “If it’s that important to you then I’ll wake you up at midnight, now are you going to bed or not?”

“Bed,” I assured her as I stood. I grasped Will’s arms and stood on my tiptoes to peck a kiss on his lips. “I’ll see you later.”

I walked upstairs with my own personal shadow dogging my steps. Enna looked bored as I opened the bedroom door and held it for her. She sauntered into the room and looked the place over with a satisfied nod.

“Not bad,” she mused as she strolled over to the lit hearth. She draped her arm over the mantel and stood so she faced the whole room. “But not as fancy as I expected.”

I laughed as I took a seat on the bed. “What did you expect?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess more pictures of himself and a bed made of gold. He has enough money to do that.”

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