Page 86 of Degradation

When my humor faded, I confided, “I heard Edmund clearly in my mind. He told me that my love is protecting them.”

“Makes sense. When you cast that spell to bind yourself to us, it felt like you were wrapping your arms around me. That feeling hasn’t left.”

“It hasn’t?”

“No.”

* * *

Relaxed from Eadric’svery attentive care, I lounged in the bath and let him play with the wet strands of my hair trailing over his chest. Our thundering pulses gradually slowed.

“Was I too rough?” he asked.

“No. You were perfect.”

He kissed my temple. “You’re perfect, Sparrow.”

Darian knocked on the door to my room. The ease with which I knew this no longer confused me. I was connected with them and had been before I’d cast that spell in the clearing.

“Enter,” I called.

The worry he carried melted away when he walked in and saw me reclining in the bath.

“I think I could use one of those,” he said.

“And you can have one…once I’ve met with the casters who’ve come.”

His brows rose. “You know?”

“I do. I could feel you thinking about them. You’re worried because they’re all so old.” I sat up so I could see both brothers. “Does it bother you that I can feel what you’re thinking?”

“Never,” they both answered.

“Will you tell me if that ever changes?”

“It won’t,” Eadric said.

“I agree,” Darian said. “It won’t change. However,ifit does, we will immediately speak our minds if you don’t already guess it.”

“Thank you.”

I extended my hand so Darian could help me out of the bath and combed my fingers through his hair as he knelt to dry my legs. While he worked, I drank in his desire.

“I look forward to our lives together,” I said softly. “Days where I can wake up in a loving embrace and play and read and relax.”

Darian stood quickly to kiss me.

“We will worship you for the rest of our lives and ensure you don’t regret a moment of the help you’ve given us.”

He kissed my forehead then helped me dress. Eadric finished at the same time, and the three of us rejoined the others.

Gataina was there, listening to Lord Hamill’s whispered words. A hint of annoyance pulled at her expression until she saw me. Her wink was filled with humor.

“There you are, girl,” she said. “About time you showed up. I heard you’ve been causing all the fine nobles of Adele some concern. No deference. Haven’t you learned your place yet?”

“I’m hoping to. Perhaps you would be willing to put in a good word for me so I can learn a bit faster?”

Getaina chuckled and looked at her peers.

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