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“It was too hot.” I watched as he yanked the camisole loose from my leather pants, pulling it up and inspecting the thin wound. I was keenly aware of the boring eyes of the guards around us. I was so delirious from sleeplessness that I didn’t even care if they saw Rook undressing me anymore. Let us draw Theron’s ire. If we died, then we died. I giggled and Rook’s eyes flashed up to me, his brow furrowing into a heavy frown.

“Are you drunk?”

I shook my head. “Of course not.”

“Then, what’s wrong with you?”

Suddenly, tears were rolling down my cheeks, and I covered my face with my hands. Oh Gods, I wascrying.I was so exhausted and taut with terror that I was crying.You never cry.

Rook was on his feet, his hands clasping my arms. “Elara, what’s wrong?”

“I’m tired. I can’t sleep. I have endless nightmares and then I can’t stop thinking about these trials and -“ I broke off, knowing if I went on I would throw myself at him and land him in trouble and possibly get someone I loved killed again.

This same thought didn’t seem to occur to Rook, who swept me up in his arms in one fluid movement and carried me out of the training arena.

“Rook, what the fuck are you doing?” I asked as a sob hiccuped out of my throat.

“I’m taking you to bed.”

I gasped and pushed my hands against his chest as we passed the guards. “Are you cra-“

“To sleep, you fucking idiot.” He tossed me in his arms to adjust his grip, holding me tighter. “Now shut up and let me help you.”

We passed the open mouths of the guards, and then Regan appeared before us at the bottom of the sweeping staircase that led up into the tower.

“What is the meaning of this, Rook?” He asked sternly.

“She’s hurt, and she’s exhausted.” Rook replied. “She’s been making too many mistakes during training and she needs to sleep. It’s a hot day and she’s no good to me out there like this, I’m going to kill her.”

Regan’s eyebrows betrayed his surprise for only a moment before he stepped aside and let us pass. “I’ll inform the King.”

“Do that.” Rook barked over his shoulder, starting up the stairs.

I slumped against his chest, smelling leather and perspiration and underneath it a scent of salt, like the sea. Or at least what I’d been told the sea smelled like. I sighed, the warmth of his arms making me sleepy already.

“You smell so nice,” I murmured.

“Oh fucking Gods, you certainly sound drunk.”

“Have you ever had Fae wine?” I asked. “It’s strong. Makes you do silly things.”

“We’ll have to try it sometime when you’re not delirious with exhaustion.”

We reached the door to my room, and he kicked it in with his foot.

Drusilla exclaimed as the door flew open, dropping the clothes she had in her hands. “We have door handles you know, you moron!”

“And I have my hands full with your mistress here,” Rook said, depositing me on the bed. “She’s exhausted, she needs a sleeping draught or she’s going to lose her fucking mind.”

Drusilla’s face quickly shifted from irritation to concern, and she rushed over to me, stroking my forehead with her cool fingers. “Oh my lamb, you’re pale.” She looked up at Rook. “I’ll go and see the Healer, and bring back a draught for her. Stay with her, make sure she stays lying down.” She hurried out, the door swinging shut behind her.

Rook poured me a cup of water and sat down beside me on the bed. “Do you need me to hold your head up or can you drink?”

I glared at him, sitting up and taking the cup from him. I took a sip, then held out the cup for him to take again.

“Drink.” He ordered, pointing his finger at me. “All of it.”

“You’re impossible, you know that?” I downed the cup, water dribbling down my chin. I wiped it away with the back of my hand as I gave the cup to him, and laid back down on the bed.