Page 223 of The Gods Veiling
My face softens on Amick’s features. He’s probably exhausted and so uncomfortable. “I’ll get up so he can get to his bed.”
“He’ll be fine there for the night. They both will be.”
I cock my head to the side at his tone. Then I glance at the very deep breaths they’re taking. Neither of them has made the slightest twitch.
“Did you do something to them?”
“Slipped a sleeping remedy in their drinks. They weren’t going to go to sleep until you woke up and I didn’t know when that’d be.”
I snort, then groan when the movement both pulls my back tight and wakes my bladder up. “Fuck.”
“Are you okay?” His dark tone has my body breaking out in chills.
“Define okay.”
His throat bobs as he swallows. “Is there something you need me to do for you?”
“No.”
I don’t want to ask for his help or admit I don’t think I can get myself off Amick’s lap. Although logically, with him having a Healer Designation, he’d be the one I should ask.
I’ve never felt so weak and emotional as I do at this moment. Plenty of the beatings and whippings I’ve taken have left me this helpless, but their company makes this different.
Lambrit’s always been the one to be here, waiting to clean up what I couldn’t without me ever having to voice my needs. He never drew attention to the weakness or insecurities in me.
I don’t even know if he knows yet what’s happened.
Showing Creed this side of me is so much harder.
A pitiful cry tears from my throat as I attempt to push myself up and the painful breaths falling from my lips cause them to quiver.
“Don’t. Don’t do that to yourself. If you want me to fix a drink that will wake one of them, I will. Don’t refuse help because it’s me offering.”
I bite my lip to stop the never-ending tremble. “It’s not because it’s you offering.”
“Then tell me what’s wrong and what you need.”
I slam my eyes shut at his demand.
Which is more embarrassing, Thayla, peeing on Amick or asking Creed for help?
Putting it like that makes the decision seem so simple.
“I need to use the bathroom, but I don’t think I can get up.”
I refuse to open my eyes and look at him, but I sense every move he makes. His body comes behind mine and the touch of his hands landing gently on my sides has my breath stalling in my chest.
“I’m going to lift you up, then hold you steady until you get your balance. Ready?”
I nod once.
He lifts me with an ease that makes his physical strength so obvious in this moment. His touch doesn’t linger, though, as he does exactly as he said he would.
Unfortunately, it was his hands that were providing the stability. A shriek tears through me as my knees give out and I immediately regret my decision to get up.
I throw my hand out to catch myself on the armrest of the couch, but I never connect. Creed’s arm wraps around my hips and he spins me at the same time. The next thing I know, I’m being lifted by the back of my thighs and my legs automatically tangle around his waist.
My face buries into his neck, and it takes everything in me not to bite him just to alleviate my own agony. “Creed.”
