Page 102 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

But he doesn’t.

Instead, he moves away from the bed and grabs onto the hem of his shirt, pulling it over his head. He doesn’t seem to be in pain anymore, even though it’s only been a few hours since I stitched him up. But maybe he has a better tolerance for pain. Alas, he must be used to it. His back is a tapestry of scars, some more prominent than others. It makes me wonder what he had to endure to remove thatillnessfrom his body.

Yet despite his scars, I can’t help but appreciate his muscular form. He might be human, but he has such perfect proportions even an Aperite would be jealous.

A gasp slips past my lips when I note his hands going to the band of his pants.

“What are you doing?” I yelp.

He half-turns.

“Changing into my pajamas,” he replies nonchalantly.

“B-b-but?—”

“If this offends your feminine sensibilities, you’re welcome to look away.”

My eyes widen.

“You can also watch.” He winks.

Cheeks flaming, I promptly turn away. My heartbeat echoes in my ears.

I hear the ruffling of clothes, and the temptation to look back is almost too much. In the end, my common sense prevails and I keep my gaze firmly on the wall. But that doesn’t mean I’m not curious.

His footsteps indicate he’s getting close. I take a deep breath and prepare myself.

“Does this pass muster?” He points to his outfit. He’s wearing a pair of loose pants and a white shirt similar to the one he gave me.

I nod briskly. I’m still terribly flushed and I don’t trust myself to speak—not coherently anyway.

He pulls his blanket aside and slides in the bed. Yet it’s immediately noticeable that he’s purposefully tryingnotto touch me. He keeps his body away from me, and despite his size, he takes the least amount of space.

“Good night, Minnie,” he murmurs softly.

“Good night, Mine,” I return the words. Though how can I sleep with a gunshot wound to the chest and a handsome male at my feet? What sane person would be able to sleep like that?

Mine, that’s who.

In a matter of minutes, his breathing regulates until he’s releasing soft, barely audible snores.

Great. Here I am, overthinking this entire situation and his maddening proximity, and he couldn’t fall asleep faster.

I grumble some more to myself as my lashes start to feel heavy.

I don’t know when exactly I fall asleep, but as sunlight streams inside the tent, I reluctantly open my eyes to see Mine is gone.

FOURTEEN

The wind blowsthrough the small opening in the tent, bringing with it a gust of cold air. I let out a shiver. It will never cease to amaze me how uncomfortable the cold can be.

As I blink, a form materializes in front of me.

Tommy. The young soldier.

“You must be Tommy,” I greet him, glad I am properly clothed for visitors.

Perhaps Aperion should also fund a school for wandering ghosts so they know what the proper etiquette is—as innotto enter a place uninvited, especially when someone is in bed. Alas, he’s young and confused. I will forgive him this once.

---