Page 44 of Amber Gambler

“No.” Snagging the pillow from behind my head, I slapped him in the face with it. “Bad Mary.”

Any question from Josie that involved the wordshowandlongweren’t meant for polite company.

“Aretha warned against excitement.” Kierce reclaimed the pillow from Matty then offered it to me. “You should be resting.” He readjusted my covers. “We should go.”

That was part of the problem, and I needed to speak to him. Alone. Before he walked out the door.

“See you tomorrow, siblings.” I waved goodbye to them while latching on to Kierce’s hand. “Sleep well.”

“I thought the nurse warned against excitement.” Josie took a step back, dragging Matty along. “Are you ignoring your nurse’s orders, or do you not find him exciting?”

“Okay.” Matty caved to the murderous glare I cut Josie. “We’re leaving.”

“Butwe’ll be back.” She pointed at me. “I expect clothes on and all fluids inside their bodies of origin.”

“I’m going to die of shame now.” I scooted down the mattress and pulled the covers over my head. “Put flowers on my grave on my birthday.”

The door opened and then shut, but I wasn’t sure I could face Kierce after that comment.

A few minutes later, he cleared his throat. “Are you all right under there?”

To avoid coming out, I asked, “Do you have brothers or sisters?”

“I don’t know.”

The somber answer bolstered me enough to lower the barrier between us. “What do you mean?”

“I lived so long ago…” He left the sentence hanging. “Your siblings meant no harm.”

“They only intended to embarrass me to death,” I agreed and pushed myself upright, until I was leaning against the headboard. “It’s how they show their love.”

“Hmm.”

The wrinkle in his brow told me he didn’t understand, not quite, but I had more important questions on my mind. “You can’t travel until you heal, right?”

“That’s correct.” He sat when I patted the edge of the mattress. “I left too soon.”

“To save me.” I tapped a finger on his pinky knuckle. “That’s why you risked the portal.”

“Yes,” he said without hesitation.

“Do you always return to Abaddon when you leave me?”

“For the most part.” He focused on where we touched. “Unless assignments take me elsewhere.”

“That’s your home?” I pressed even when his fingers curled into his palm. “That’s where you live?”

“It’s not home, but yes. I reside there.” A line marred the smoothness of his forehead. “I exist there.”

As much as I wanted to press for more, I was battling exhaustion. “Then where will you go?”

“I don’t know.” A humorless laugh slipped past his lips. “I hadn’t thought about it.”

A powerful being, used to snapping his fingers or clicking his heels—however his teleporting worked—to get from one place to another, wouldn’t have a backup plan. Of that, I felt certain after watching him get ready to walk out the door without a hint of concern. That he needed to decide where to go and how he would get there hadn’t occurred to him.

“Would you like to stay here?” I linked my fingers in my lap. “You wouldn’t be stuck if not for me. It’s the least I can do.” I rubbed my thumbs together. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you need. Badb too.”

“I would like that.” He placed his palms flush to one another in his lap. “Thank you for your kindness.”

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