Page 81 of Desire

Edmund stood slowly. I could feel his gaze on me but refused to look at him.

“Please,” I begged.

“You’re beautiful, Sparrow. It’s not easy to leave you, especially when we know we’ve upset you. Perhaps if we knew that you still held us in a kind regard…”

I closed my eyes. “Thank you for helping me with my bath. It was very nice. Please leave so I can make peace with my embarrassment. I will join you when I’m finished.”

Lips brushed mine. Edmund’s.

“Liam is right,” he whispered as he set his forehead to mine. “Forever wouldn’t be long enough with you.”

They left, and I sank to my knees in the water. I cleaned it with a thought then washed again. The blood returned when I stood once more, and I knew what Eadric had said was true.

My monthlies. Had it truly been so long since I’d arrived?

I opened the bundle and found what I needed—the cloths and the ties to hold them in place around my hips. After I’d secured them, I dressed in a clean gown and looked at the door while toying with the comb in my hand.

Leaving Eloise had been the hardest thing I’d ever done in my life. But living in the glade with these men might soon surpass that torment. I pressed the back of my free hand to my hot cheek and took a calming breath.

The cool mask of indifference that I’d used for so long easily slipped into place, and I strode for the door only to stop at the last moment. Edmund’s demand to look at him so he could see what I was feeling rose to mind. He wouldn’t want my indifference. Not now. Not after what he’d?—

I looked down at the comb I held, knowing that they wouldn’t allow me to hide in the cottage for much longer. Then berated myself for my foolishness. If I couldn’t overcome embarrassment and face the seven men who I knew cared for me–and who I cared for in return–what hope did I have of facing Maeve?

“I liked it, and I have nothing to apologize for,” I said softly to myself. And Eadric had been knowledgeable enough about monthlies to purchase what I needed. Why should I feel embarrassed about anything that had transpired when neither man had seemed affronted while bathing me?

After another calming breath, I opened the door and strode into the yard.

“I need a hug and someone to brush my hair,” I said.

Daemon dashed for me, catching me up in his arms and spinning me around as he held me tight. I clutched the comb and his shoulders.

“Ease up, you fool,” Darian said. “She’ll vomit if you continue.”

Daemon stopped and carried me with his arms around my waist to the table where he settled me sideways on his lap so Darian could work the comb through my hair.

“Hand over the tea, Brandle,” Daemon said.

Coddled in Daemon’s arms, I sipped the tea Brandle had brewed and tried to relax as Darian freed the tangles from my strands.

“How are you feeling?” Daemon asked. “Does anything hurt?”

I shook my head.

“Good. Good.” He hugged me a little closer and kissed my temple. “I’m glad Edmund didn’t go too far. He’s not easy to cuff.”

I flushed at what Daemon was inferring but didn’t duck my head. Instead, I looked at Edmund.

“My mother warned me that losing my maidenhead would be painful.” My face heated further. “It hurt less than I’d anticipated. Thank you for showing me the pleasure that could be found with a man before the pain.”

His lips twitched as he studied me. “If I’d taken it the usual way, it would have been more painful. I wanted to spare you that.”

“Thank you.”

“I don’t believe I’ve ever heard a maid thank a man for taking her maidenhead before,” Eadric said.

“You’ll likely never hear it again,” Darian said. He combed my hair away from my neck and kissed the exposed skin. “You’re too sweet for the likes of us, Princess.”

“Shut your mouth,” Daemon said with a glare at his twin. “She’s perfect for us.”

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