Page 76 of The King of Frost and Shadows

“No.” She whimpered. “I need your help, but—”

Before she even finished the sentence, I opened the door … and froze.

25

LIRA

Even if my skin hadn’t felt like burned leather, I had no doubt my face would still be feeling hot now. I wanted to cover my body with my hands, but that was part of the problem. I couldn’t move without feeling as if my skin might crack and fall off. This must be how snakes felt when they molted.

When he opened the door and stepped in, he stopped in his tracks.

I almost wished I had the power of darkness or even shadows to hide myself. I’d tried to take off my leather pants, but sweat had stuck them to me, and I couldn’t get them off without nearly passing out from the agony. I could barely even stand, let alone undress myself. “I …” The words died on my lips, and it had nothing to do with how parched my throat was. “… need help.” I shouldn’t have asked him, but my wings were limp. I had no choice, and who cared if I owed him? I’d be dead soon, either from the next trial or at Tavish’s hand.

He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he remained frozen in place.

I wanted the floor to open up and engulf me. He didn’t want to help me. I couldn’t blame him. I could only imagine how awful I looked. “Never mind.” I tried to force a smile, but my skin didn’t want to stretch. “I’ll figure it out.”

“I don’t mind assisting,” he said loudly and entered the bathroom. “I merely don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“We both know we’re way beyond that,” I whispered. The words held many meanings, and even I wasn’t sure which one I meant. He’d kidnapped me, brought me to a realm I didn’t remember, made me feel things I hated and didn’t understand, and took care of me. Every one of those things made me uncomfortable, but in very opposing ways.

He winced, and I could’ve sworn his face tightened with remorse for a second before he continued toward me.

The air between us turned electric. Something tugged in my chest hard, and if I hadn’t been in such a horrible condition, I would’ve helped close the distance between us. As it was, it took him an eternity to reach me.

When he stood before me, he bit his bottom lip. “What do you need me to do?” he asked in a growly voice.

Heat flooded my body. The kind that didn’t resemble pain in the least, other than feeling like I might combust if he didn’t touch me.

“Help me undress.” Three words I’d never said together, and of course, they’d be to him. This man had the ability to take everything from me, but this time, I’d give it to him willingly. Thank fuck my body was in complete misery, or I very likely would’ve done something stupid. “I … I can’t get my pants off, and just thinking about getting the shirt over my head—” I cut off with a shudder.

He nodded and reached out a hand before pausing. “Uh … what do you want help with first?”

Good question, and surprisingly, the answer was easy. “My shirt.” I would be a lot less uncomfortable standing around without my top while we removed my pants instead of being commando and him touching my top half.

Hands shaking, his fingers slipped into the collar of the tunic. “The shirt’s ruined. I’ll just rip it so you don’t have to strain your back and wings to get it over your head.”

“Good idea.”

His fingers brushed my skin, and the buzz thrummed, taking the edge off my pain. I didn’t understand how or why, but his touch felt better than ever before, and that was saying something.

Gripping the material, he ripped the shirt open in the front.

Cool air hit my breasts, and he glanced down then closed his eyes. He breathed through clenched teeth as he lifted his head before opening his eyes again. His breathing quickened, and he slowly eased the tunic off one arm at a time.

Even though he was gentle, the material gliding off my skin might as well have been raking me raw. I groaned.

“Blighted abyss, sprite,” Tavish gritted out. “We’re both going to be in misery if you keep making those noises.” He dropped the tunic on the floor and straightened.

I started, my wings fluttering and my back muscles spasming again. I jerked forward, and my body pressed against Tavish’s chest. My nipples hardened from the buzzing and cold as my feet hit the floor.

Excruciating agony crumpled me. Tavish wrapped his arms under my wings, my body buzzing everywhere we touched. He slid his hands back under my knees the way he’d carried me before. Unlike last time, my top half was bare for him to see.

He gritted his teeth, and his eyes focused on my breasts again before he averted his gaze back up to my face. “Let’s get you undressed and into the tub before you get hurt worse.”

As he placed my butt against the side of the tub, Tavish’s magic of darkness crept around me. The cold sensation blanketed me, and when I glanced down, he’d covered me from the waist up. I relaxed my shoulders, thankful for the privacy, though my chest tightened in disappointment. He clearly didn’t enjoy looking at me.

But why should he? Not only was I bloody and hurt, but he planned to kill me.

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