Page 84 of The Umbra King

“Put me down,” she demanded. “Where are you taking me, anyway?”

He maneuvered her through the door and said, “To your new room.”

Caius knewhe was being irrational, just like he knew his actions were in direct contrast with his prior declaration, but she wouldn’t die on his watch.

Once she settled into her new room and he arranged protection for her, he would keep her at a distance. His erratic behavior over her fall was proof she was changing his priorities.

That couldn’t happen.

She stopped fighting him about halfway down the hall, presumably too sore to put up much of a fight, and when he arrived in his office, the bookcase was already moved aside thanks to Sam.

He moved through the hallway on muscle memory as he stole glances at the woman in his arms. Even with her face swollen and bruised, she was beautiful.

“Stop looking at me like that,” she grumbled. “I know I look like death warmed over.”

His laugh shook them both. “Tell people you went a few rounds with Lauren. You wouldn’t be the first person she put in the hospital.”

Rory snorted and winced. “Everything hurts.”

Sam held up a woman’s skirt out in front of him. “Where does this go?”

“You don’t have to unpack my things.” Rory wiggled in Caius’ arms again. “I can do it myself.”

Sam shrugged, folded the skirt, and stuck it in a drawer before grabbing another article of clothing.

She puffed out a gust of air. “You two are impossible.”

Caius set her on the bed, and when her head hit the pillow, her body melted against the sheets.

Satisfied, Caius addressed Sam, “Have a contractor from town seal off the staircase to this room.”

“What?” Rory half-shouted. “How will my friends visit?”

“They won’t,” Sam and Caius said at the same time.

“Then take me back to my room.”

“You can visit Bellina in her room when you are better,” Caius assured her. “Asher is leaving the day after tomorrow, and Max is leaving the week after that.”

Rory’s shoulders slumped against the mattress. “Does it always feel like this?” she asked them. “Knowing your friends won’t remember you?”

Caius ran a hand through his hair, and bits of crusted blood fell out. He needed a shower, which reminded him that Rory did, too. Looking at her blood matted hair made him grimace at the soiled sheets.

He pushed his hands under her body and lifted her once more.

“Hey!” she shrieked. “What are you doing?” She looked at Sam. “What is wrong with him?”

“You need a bath,” Caius replied. “You have blood in your hair.”

Sam pointed at her. “Under your fingernails too.” He put away the garment in his hand and walked into the closet, returning with fresh sheets. “I will meet you in your office after I change the bed,” he said to Caius.

“You are not bathing me,” Rory growled at the king. “I don’t even want you touching me.”

“I will dunk you in the bath fully clothed if that’s what you wish, but youarebathing,” he informed her.

The clothes she wore were covered in blood and torn in places where the doctor had to examine her and add potions. Caius set her on the side of the tub and turned on the water, adjusting the temperature.

“Clothes on or off?” he asked her.

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