Page 16 of Trial of Three
Coal crosses his arms but makes no move toward the bed where we just joined. “Because he knows what to do now.”
“What is there to do now?” I ask.
“I. Don’t. Know.” Coal enunciates each word as if speaking to someone hard of hearing. “I’ve... I’ve only paid for my pleasure before. This isn’t something I’ve done for... I don’t know if you are all right.”
“Have you considered asking me?”
“No.” His jaw works. “Are you all right?”
“No.”
Coal throws up his arms. “Then why the bloody hell are we having this conversation?” He spins on his heels, grabs his pants off the floor, and strides out of the room before I can stop him.
My face flames. A moment ago, all I wanted was to feel Coal beside me. Now I just want to sink into the ground or throttle the bastard. Or both.
I pull the covers higher over my neck, scanning the room to see if I can manage to disappear before the males return. I pull up my knees, resting my forehead against them for a long heartbeat before throwing off the sheets altogether.
I’m not some damsel in need of bloody assistance. I was the one who came here. Who wanted him. Who took my pleasure, just as much as Coal did. Took more than he was ready to give, if I’m honest. The connection, the magic... It was more than I was prepared for. More than I ever felt when we shared his memories. I rub my hand over my face. Rising from the bed, I stride over to what’s left of Coal’s dresser, pull out one of the half-fallen drawers, and empty its contents onto the floor. Before I can locate a shift amid the mess, the door behind me opens and two males, both wearing loose breeches, step inside.
“Why are you standing there naked?” Coal asks.
“I imagine because somewhere between her coming into the room and you leaving, you did something requiring her clothes to be removed,” Tye says, rubbing sleep from his eyes. His red hair stands up in messy spikes that would be adorable under any other circumstances.
“What’s left of my nightshirt is somewhere on the floor,” I say primly, making no move to cover myself as Coal’s nostrils flare. After taking a moment of perverse enjoyment in the male’s discomfort, I pull one of his shirts from the wreckage and slip it over my head. Coal’s metallic musk fills my nose as the cloth settles over me, the hem so long that it brushes my knees.
“Why am I here?” Tye asks, looking between me and Coal. “It seems you two have everything under control.”
“There is nothing bloody under control,” Coal growls.
“That’s good too.” Tye turns to Coal, opening his arms. “What, pray tell, do you want me to do?”
“Hug her,” Coal demands, gesturing toward me brusquely.
“What?” Tye and I say together.
“That’s what you do with females after coupling with them. I don’t. So I’m delegating.”
“One, you can’t delegate hugging, Coal,” I tell him. “And two, what makes you think I even want that from you?”
“I hurt you.” His jaw is tight, his fist seeming ready to strike a wall.
“Yes.” I straighten my shirt. “It was good for me too. Thank you for asking.”
“Bloody stars, I don’t believe we are having this conversation,” Tye groans. “Can I assume that all involved enjoyed themselves until there wasn’t anything left to enjoy?” He waits the briefest of moments before nodding to no one in particular. “Then figure out the bloody aftermath without me. So long as I can have the lass tomorrow to show her everything you did wrong.”
Coal grabs Tye’s wrist. “What are we supposed to do now?” he asks. Demands.
Tye leans close to the warrior, his face only inches away as he snarls right back at him. “Practice.” Pulling back, Tye leaves, slamming the door in his wake.
I blink once at the slammed door then start toward it, Coal’s large shirt tickling my thighs. Stars. The size of the male... everywhere. The fabric smells of soap and cleanliness, while the room I’m leaving is anything but. Overturned dresser, cracked bedpost, weapons scattered on the floor. I trip on a sword belt and swallow a curse.
“Where are you going?” Coal asks behind me, his voice gravelly.
Away from here. Back to my room. Outside. I don’t know. With my heart returning to its normal rate, the strength is draining from my body, leaving behind the aftermath of what we did.
“Nowhere in particular,” I say over my shoulder, my voice wavering. What happened between us, it was little but sport to him. A game. And itwasfun, the exhilaration of it. The... the ending was certainly worth the ramp-up. My body heats in memory of what just happened, my bones melting with desire for a single moment—before the aftermath crashes into me again like an avalanche. If was fun, and now, like a good sparring session, it’s over. Coal made that clear enough. I should be glad he isn’t heading for the baths. I swat a loose strand of hair from my face. “I’m just leaving here.”
“Don’t.” Coal’s voice is hard, as if he can’t decide whether he’s asking a favor or issuing an order.
