Page 61 of A Bond in Blood

I shook my head with a smile while silence filled the hall. Eventually, I settled onto the floor beside Olen, using his body as a cushion for warmth with the cold coming from the mountain walls.

Then I fell asleep, unsure how I’d become so comfortable with a beast.

Chapter 15

Ulrich and I didn’t speak for five days after our encounter in the water. Uncomfortable given I was still expected to sleep beside him. But he stayed on his side of the bed, and I stayed on mine.

One night while I readied myself in the bathing room, the lights had extinguished, and his presence was suddenly chilling the room.

I set my brush down with a sigh.

“Yes?” I asked.

“I apologize,” he said.

I turned on my heel, hoping to see him in the dark but as quickly as he’d slipped into the room, he was gone and the red light from the moon above was filling the room once more.

Twisting back to the mirror, I stared at my reflection. He’d apologized, even if it had been odd and abrupt, it had been an apology.

It made me hate him more.

Another five days passed. Not one word uttered between us.

I laid in the bed, staring at the ceiling, twisting my fingers against each other.

His body was as unmoving as mine.

I sighed.

“Something on your mind?” he asked.

I shifted to my side, propping myself on my arm. “Do you have a winter festival?”

He was silent.

“Forget I asked,” I groaned.

“I didn’t realize we were on speaking terms again,” he replied.

I laughed, pressing my head into the pillow. “Were we ever on speaking terms?”

“A valid question.”

I smirked at the amusement in his tone.

“To answer your question, yes, we do have a winter celebration.”

“When?” I asked, my heart racing.

He was silent once more. The bed shifted and the heat of him right before me, startled me.

“Soon,” he whispered.

“What happens at this festival?” I asked.

“Things.”

“Do I only get one-word responses?”

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