Page 55 of Conquering the King of Storms

When my hair was dry—andso gorgeous I couldn’t stop looking at it—Sirus led me back into the bedroom. Dove was already bouncing on the bed with a couple of little toys in her hands, and she beamed at us as we walked out.

Someone brought in an assload of food, and we all ate together quickly before I slid under the blankets on the bed, ready to crash. After so much time in the Aboa and the great outdoors, laying in a bed felt incredible.

“Harper and I need to rest, Dissiri.” Storm’s voice was soft and playful as he sat next to her on the bed. “You can stay in here quietly with us, or I can help you find Margo again.”

She made a face. “Margo doesn’t really like me. I’ll be quiet.”

Storm’s expression grew serious. “Do I need to talk to her?”

“No. She doesn’t really like anyone.”

I bit back a snort.

Storm grimaced and wisely changed the subject. “Well, let’s at least find you a book to read.” He tickled Dove’s side, and she howled with laughter.

“There’s a few in my bag.”

The wind carried a duffel-like bag over to us, and she went through its contents, until she pulled out a thick book.

Damn, she was smart for her age if she could get through that thing.

Storm’s magic flipped the lights off, and then he slid under the blankets between me and Dove.

His legs brushed mine, and I shivered a bit.

When he slid an arm under me and used it to drag me close, I let myself drape halfway over his body, and then glanced over at Dove. She was already reading her book, the curtain over the window open a crack so she had enough light to see the words.

She looked content.

I felt the same, honestly.

My eyes closed, and I drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 13

“But why dohumans need soooo much more sleep than us?” Dove whispered, pulling me from the strange dream I’d been having.

“Our world wasn’t made for them. When they have the magic they need to survive in it, they won’t need so much sleep,” Sirus murmured back. “I’m sure her hunger will wake her soon.”

I peeked my eyes open and looked at both of them. My dress and I seemed to be all tangled up in Sirus. Dove was standing a few feet away from the bed, swaying back and forth a bit as if she was hearing silent music and couldn’t help but dance to it.

Her face flooded with excitement when our eyes met. “Harper! You’re awake!”

She flung herself at me and Sirus.

I laughed, and he chuckled, catching her before she crashed into us. His arms were still around me, his muscles flexing against me as he eased her down on top of us. “Easy, Dissiri,” he warned. “Harper’s more fragile than we are.”

I smacked him lightly on the (gigantic) arm. “I’m not that fragile.”

“You’ll never convince me of that.” He slowly stroked his hand down my arm.

“Are you hungry? Let’s go eat! And Harper should come shopping!” Dove exclaimed.

I smiled, and when I glanced at Sirus, found his lips curved upward too.

“Why don’t you go next door and see if Flame and Ivy can take you to the café while I get Harper out of bed?” Sirus suggested.

“Okay!” She jumped off the mattress, landing a hell of a lot more lightly than I could’ve, and then darted out of the room, leaving the door wide open.

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