Page 41 of Amber Gambler

“Here.” She pressed a damp washcloth into my hand that plopped onto the bed. “Just hold still.”

With gentle motions, she cleaned the bile from my chin and mouth, which would have mortified me had this actually been happening. He was practically a god. One who had watched me empty my stomach on repeat for the last ten minutes. Maybe even longer. I might not have been lucid the first—or second—go-around, but Aretha was wiping my face like I was a dribbling baby learning how to eat her pureed peas.

“This isn’t real. He isn’t real. None of this is real.”

“Do you want me to be?”

Clearly still suffering from the oxygen-deprivation thing, I couldn’t stop my silly grin.

“On that note—” Aretha threw a few things into her bag, “—I should update your family.”

“How did you keep them out this time?”

“I warded the door to give Aretha peace.” Kierce leaned forward, hooked me under my arms, and pulled me back into the cradle of his thighs. He adjusted me with the back of my head resting on his shoulder in a calculated pose that convinced me he was returning me to how I had been resting prior to waking. “Your siblings had to be restrained after Harrow failed to anchor you to the shore.”

The urge to defend him flared on reflex, but then I remembered. “The asrai broke my ward.”

“It had tasted your blood.” He planted his palms on the mattress. “It was immune to your precautions.”

“I didn’t know.” I angled my head to see him better. “I’ve never gone up against one.”

“They’re rare.” His hair slid forward across his cheeks when he tilted his head down. “She was halfway to Abaddon when I caught her.” His storm-cloud eyes darkened in his pallid face. “I almost lost you.”

“Abaddon?” I couldn’t swallow through my dry throat. “How did she?—?”

“Asrai are elemental, yes, but they’re born from souls. They carry their prey to Abaddon to feast.”

“That would have been nice to know.” A tremor shook me. “You’re a handy guy to have around.”

“I wish I had been here sooner.” His exhalation gusted across my cheek. “I can’t travel when I’m this weak.”

“Travel.” I lifted my hand and rubbed a finger over his brand on my forearm. “Between realms?”

“Between realms, coasts, or even across the street.”

“Then how did you find me?” I twisted against him, planting my palm on his chest. “The light.” I made a fist and pounded on him once. “It was the leaf.” I flattened my hand again. “In the culvert.”

“Badb planted it where I would see its glow and find my way to the portal.” His pride in her cleverness was evident. I was shocked she had let him out of her sight after going through so much to get him back. “All I had to do was wait near the burning lake for the asrai to reopen a path I could take to your world.” He raked his fingers through my hair. “And pray you were still alive when I got here.”

“That means…” I curled my fingers into his damp shirt. “You were in Abaddon?”

“That’s enough.” Aretha anchored her hands on her hips. “I see you two have a lot to discuss, but you’re getting too worked up, Frankie. Your pulse is ping-ponging all over the place. You need your rest.”

“I’ll do better.” I switched from Aretha to Kierce. “I didn’t mean to attack you with questions.”

“I don’t mind.” He glanced from me to Aretha. “I appreciate your assistance.”

“No worries.” She tossed me a wink. “Frankie is my new favorite patient.”

Dollar signs flashed behind my eyes as I imagined just how much Harrow was sinking into my healthcare.

With a wiggle of her fingers, she left me alone with Kierce.

“How weird would it be if I hugged you?” I itched to trail my fingers across his cheekbones, to reassure myself he was here. “I’m so glad to see you.” I dropped my hot face into my dirty hands. “That probably sounds weird too.”

“I’m glad to see you too,” he admitted softly, his lips brushing my ear.

“That’s a yes to the hug then?”

---