Page 264 of Red Ruin

“True,” I say, biting back a smile. “They’re going to be busy for a while. Let me make sure everyone is taken care of.”

Then I’ll take care of both of you.

Together, the three of us spin around the keep.

We find a healer first.

The woman fixes my knee and a thousand other injuries I forgot about. Vhex and Remy’s Sentinel physiques have already healed their physical damage.

They have me to tend to their souls.

Back in fighting shape, I soothe a few more Sentinels, encourage exhausted Guides, and help the Farguard and Deathguard officers divide who’s responsible for what in the massive, post-battle cleanup.

I hand Kevan and Luca’s remains to a solemn Sentinel Mallory.

The giant Deathguard officer gives me a formal, palm-to-fist salute. “If you’ll have us, the Deathguard would like to stay under your command. At least until Duke Kyorgos resurrects.”

“The palace won’t like that,” I answer cautiously. “Neither will Kevan.”

Mallory scratches his ear. “What about you?”

Vhex and Remy seethe in sync, their auras swelling and brandishing spikes. I grab their hands, already soothing their silks.

Mallory takes a step back but refuses to back down. “Would you like it if we stayed?”

“I won’t say no to more fighters.” Despite our ugly history, the Deathguard is well-trained. That’s where our story has to end. I shrug my chest and shoulders as best I can, showing off the men tangled up in my arms. “But I’ve got all the Sentinel I can handle now.”

“That’s fair.” Mallory lets out a heavy breath. “We’ll be at your service.”

I redirect the shadow headed for his throat, teasing it with the tips of a silk. “That’s all our business handled. For now. Can you take me?—”

Darkness explodes before I can finish my request.

In the space of a breath, my back hits the silky sheets of Remy’s four-post bed.

His weight falls on top of me.

There’s a crash and a string of curses as Vhex falls somewhere much less soft. “Selfish fucking bat.”

At least Remy brought Vhex along?

It’s small, but it’s progress.

Vhex jostles Remy’s desk on his scramble to the mattress. Not allowing my attention to stray, Remy pulls my gaze back to him. Shadows stroke my throat. With blood-red eyes, he dips in for a kiss.

His fangs part my lips, opening my mouth to his hungry tongues.

Vhex’s subtle claws skate up my thigh.

Their silks twist and writhe, feeding me heady emotions and trying to deepen our bond.

It feels like being pet on the inside, all soft and indulgent.

The shower can wait.

I hook Remy’s shoulders to rope him closer. When I tilt to reach for Vhex’s horn, watery light blinks at the corner of my eye.

An orb flashes above Remy’s desk.

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