Page 91

“Yeah,” I agree, my eyes shutting against the pain.

“Do you trust me?” Sidney asks.

“No,” I deny immediately. “I don’t trust anyone.”

“Pet,” he cajoles, and somehow I don’t think this is any better than ‘Kitten’. “Please don’t be difficult. Knowing you’re in pain makes me feel things I don’t like. Let me help so that I can go back to being a happy psychopath.”

His words don’t make sense to me, and yet I giggle.

“Sidney,” I huff, carefully turning onto my back.

“At your service, and no one else’s, Pet,” he says, running his nose up my neck. “Your scent is off, you’re sweating… talk to me.”

“I have a migraine that feels like an ice pick is stabbing me, and severe cramping, though I haven’t started my period yet,” I finally say.

“I brought some Angelica root for your cramps, and a migraine tonic that I’m going to teach you how to make soon,” he tells me, pulling things out of his pockets.

He reminds me of the Mary Poppins of herbalists, but I still take what he offers me. Sidney showed up to help me, and that means something.

Soon, he snuggles up behind me. “Now, the only thing for you to do is nap,” Sidney insists. “The Warden is going to realize why everyone is so tired, and he’s going to lose his shit. I expect he’ll also cancel all night classes and send everyone to bed early. Warden Ayers is going to learn a very important lesson in communication today, Pet. Now close your eyes.”

Lashes fluttering closed, I can feel my muscles relax. Sidney wraps his arms around my waist, massaging my stomach in circles. It feels so good, I don’t want him to move, and instead I drift off to sleep.

Nineteen

SIDNEY

Iwas angry enough when the Queen’s staff fucked up my routine, but knowing that the recruits took it upon themselves to clean up all the mess pisses me off. It’s not because I care about them. If I demand that they clean my toilet with a toothbrush, they will.

No, it’s because the exhausted girl in my arms was one of them. Her muscles are twitching from fatigue, and I turned on the small lamp for a moment, which showed me the deep shadows under her eyes.

Andrya was a mess when she got to class, and begged me to go check on her. I’ve been wanting to see Silla all day, so I took the out given to me.

I didn’t expect her to look so sick. Silla Tremaine is so damn strong all of the time, and I wonder if there’s something more to all of this. I let her sleep for two hours before I start to get twitchy.

Kissing her neck, I say, “Silla, I need to talk to you, and then you can go back to sleep, okay?”

“Sidney.” She sighs, and my dick twitches. Fuck, why did she have to say my name like that?

“Yes, Pet. Yell at me later, but I need you to drink water too,” I insist.

“Yes, Sir,” she pouts, sitting up. The moment Silla does this though, she shudders, cupping her head. Damn, this migraine won’t fucking quit.

“I want to try something else for your head, and then I’ll go back to sleep with you,” I promise. I have questions that’ll need to be answered first, because I’m vibrating with the need to know.

Grabbing the glass, I have her drink from it as I massage a light peppermint smelling lotion on her forehead and neck.

“What is that?” Silla asks, her voice sounding faraway.

“Medicine, Pet. Do you need any more water?” I ask. I’m feeling very possessive, and I want her to feel better. Taking a deep breath, I force my voice to stay calm. The last thing I want is to scare her. When she shakes her head, I take the cup from her, settling her in my arms.

“Andrya said the Warden was upset when he knocked on your door. Will you tell me why?” I ask, my fingers in her hair, massaging.

Moaning softly, she whispers, “Gods, please don’t stop. I’ll do anything…”

I know her words are due to her pain, but my inner monster wants to pound its chest in glee.

“I’ll keep going, Silla,” I promise, my voice low and gravelly. She sighs, shivering slightly in my arms. “Will you answer my question?”