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“No, Elara.” His fingers traced up and down my back again, and he growled low in his throat as a small moan left my lips. “I definitely don’t hate you.”

“You’d violate the Accord for me?”

His lips brushed against my neck, his hand wandering further down my back. “I don’t give a shit about the Accord.”

“I had that dream, you know. About the tavern.” I yawned. “You. And me.”

“I know. You told me.” He kissed my neck. “I did, too.”

The door flew open behind us, and Rook quickly straightened up from beside me.

“Getting cozy, Rook?” Drusilla’s voice was filled with displeasure.

“She wanted to be warm,” he replied, rising to his feet and crossing his arms over his chest.”And said she felt safer with me being there.”

“I’m sure.” Drusilla eyed him suspiciously, then turned to me, her expression changing instantly to one of concern. “Now, my lamb, I have this for you.” She held up a small brown vial topped with a cork. “It’ll help you rest.”

“No nightmares?” I asked, and Rook flinched.

“You have nightmares?” Drusilla asked, sitting down beside me. “Oh, I had no idea, you poor thing.”

“She wakes up screaming.” Rook’s indignant tone faded quickly as the words left his mouth.

Drusilla’s head snapped towards him. “And how do you know that?”

“She told me.” His eyes flickered to me. “And anyone with any sense would know, after what she’s been through.”

“Yes, yes, alright.” Drusilla turned back to me, pulling the cork and handing me the vial. “Here, my lamb, drink it up, it’s a little bitter but it works fast.”

I downed the liquid in one gulp, and it enveloped the back of my throat with a deep bitterness that made my toes curl. I grimaced and Rook laughed.

“You can go now, Rook.” Drusilla said sternly.

“No.” I reached out for him. “Please, just stay until I’m asleep.”

Drusilla rolled her eyes. “You’re going to pull me into all this trouble now too, aren’t you?”

Rook sat down on my other side, and I took his hand. “There’s no trouble, Drusilla, just calm yourself.” He looked down at me, stroking my cheek with the backs of his fingers. “You sleep, and tomorrow, we’ll see how the world looks, ey?”

I clasped on to his fingers as a fog descended over me. “Til tomorrow.” I murmured, and then, mercifully, I slept.

And all I dreamed of was a warm bed, and two strong hands caressing my back.

Chapter12

Elara

Rook watched me walk into the training arena with a wide smile, his arms crossed over his chest. “You look like a Fae instead of a ghost.”

“After sleeping for three days I’d want to hope so.” I walked across the arena, and he uncrossed his arms, almost as if he wanted to embrace me, then stopped himself. We both looked around at the guards, then smiled at each other.

“Sorry if I garbled rubbish when you carried me upstairs.” I said sheepishly.

“You didn’t.” He assured me. “I hope I wasn’t too - um. Too affectionate.”

I shook my head. “I dreamed of it actually.”

“What?”