Page 55 of Degradation

Deep inside of me, I felt the spell I’d remade lift. The vow to never again be controlled by another settled deeper, and I reveled in the freedom by undulating against Liam.

He cried out and stilled. His spend flooded me, and he collapsed forward. Breathing heavily, he braced himself on his arms and stared down at me as the room continued to shake and dance with colored particles.

“I checked outside,” Garron called. “The spell’s holding. Inside is a different story.”

His words and the slow, smug grin that tugged at Liam’s lips were the reminders I needed to calm the storm within me and recap my well. It wasn’t easy, but I managed.

The shaking stopped, and the colors faded.

“It’s a good thing you spelled the house,” he said. “I think they would have heard that one in Drisdall.”

“Amusing,” I said dryly. “Are you going to help me bathe now that you’ve had your way with me?”

“Gladly.”

With a thought, I filled the tub with hot water and held on as he carried me to it. We both sighed as he sank into the steamy depths and cradled me in his lap.

“This is nice,” I said.

“It is. Are you still worried about Brandle?”

“I am,” I said. “You were right last night. I don’t know what else to do to assure him I won’t leave.” I played with Liam’s fingers. “Edmund’s initial anger misled me to believe he would be the difficult one among you.”

Liam chuckled and kissed my shoulder.

“As the oldest, Brandle feels more responsibility toward us. He’s hesitant to make a decision that might cost us all that we’ve gained. His need to protect us is the heavy burden of being the firstborn.”

“That’s horse shite,” I said.

Darian’s bark of laughter from their shared room was cut short, and I heard the sound of scuffling.

“Does she get cuffed for cursing?” Eadric asked. I knew someone cuffed him for the remark and shook my head.

“Rather than fighting, start some biscuits,” I called.

Eadric stopped at the door and peered in at us. “Do you want honey with them or jam?”

“Leave them be, dolt,” Edmund said, pulling him away.

“Why? You didn’t leave her alone with Garron?”

The pair made a racket as Edmund chased Eadric down the stairs, which groaned ominously. I touched the wood planks with my energy, strengthening them.

Daemon and Darian both stopped to look in.

“You look right comfortable, Lamb,” Daemon said.

“Need any help washing anything, Princess?” Darian asked.

“Only your brother, if you’d care to join.”

Darian threw his head back and laughed.

“Well played,” Daemon said. “I believe we’ll leave Liam to your tender care. Although Brandle might be willing. He has experience cleaning Liam’s bollocks.”

“Daemon!” Garron yelled from below. “Liam was an infant, Snow.”

“I gathered,” I called back.

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