Page 106 of Blood and Thorns

Chapter 47

Arabella

The doctor helped me sit up against the pillows, my back stinging slightly from the coolness of the silk.

“Luckily the cuts are superficial, and won’t need any stitches,” the doctor said, her voice gentle as she double checked my forehead. “You’re going to bruise, so I’ll advise Mr Devereaux on an ointment that’ll help.”

“What about whatever I ingested?” I asked, tugging the sheets higher.

Sebastian had carried me to his room, ignoring my protests. He’d only left my side when the doctor asked him for privacy, and honestly, I thought he was going to bite her head off. But he’d gritted his teeth and nodded. Only after threatening her, of course.

“Luckily it wasn’t in your system long, and I’ve taken your blood to be tested just to make sure. If it’s my guess, it seems to be a generic date rape drug, and shouldn’t have any lasting effects.”

I swallowed, the relief so swift it took me a moment to reply, and even then my voice shook. “Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome.” The doctor’s smile was gentle, but her eyes darkened with concern. “Are you sure youwant to refuse? I highly suggest I assess if there’s any bruising–”

“I don’t need it,” I repeated for the third time. “I’m fine.”

“Miss Grey…”

“Thank you, but no.” I made sure my tone was stern, ignoring how my head pounded.

Her smile tightened, but she simply nodded. “The painkillers I’ve given you should kick in soon, but I suggest some rest. I’ll update Mr Devereaux.”

Collecting her things, she finally left to give me some privacy. I knew I wouldn’t have long, so I immediately swung my legs off the side of the bed, ignoring the twinge from the fresh bruises on my hips.

My muscles felt tired, but at least I could feel them. Pulling the sheets I wrapped them around my body, only to look up and notice the painting on the wall.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Sebastian asked, and I turned to find him closing the bedroom door behind him.

“Returning to my own room.” I looked back over at the painting, frowning until I recognised the shadow of my own naked body amongst the smears of colour. Sebastian had hung the canvas he’d first fucked me on opposite his bed.

“You’re not leaving.” Sebastian came to my side, glancing up at the painting. He’d removed his black jacket and had pulled up his sleeves to reveal his arms. Blood splattered across his skin from where he’d held me.

I was too tired to argue, and those painkillers had yet to kill the dancer currently tapping away across my brain. “Sebastian–”

“The doctor said you refused an internal exam,” he commented, his voice far gentler than I expected. I finallylooked at him, holding the sheets tighter to my breasts. “Arabella, you need–”

“My body, my rules,” I interrupted. “I don’t need the exam.”

Sebastian cocked his head, reaching down to cup my jaw. “How far did he get?”

“Why? Because you don’t play with broken toys?”

His eyes narrowed a fraction. “Answer the question, Arabella.”

“He didn’t.” I swallowed, frustrated with the way my eyes burned. “Caden interrupted just before he…” I couldn’t finish the sentence, the words getting stuck.

His thumb brushed along my cheek in a gentle caress. “Come with me.”

I went to protest, but he didn’t give me a choice before he picked me up and carried me into his bathroom. He sat me at the edge of the tub, reaching over to turn on the taps. The heat was instant, the steam comforting as he added a sweet-smelling liquid to the quickly rising water.

I stared at the bubbles forming, my hand clutching the sheet until my knuckles had whitened. I didn’t notice Sebastian leaving, the light above me dimming, or the candles that had suddenly appeared. Only reacting once he gently tugged the sheet from me.

“Ça va aller, belle,”he whispered when I flinched.“Je ne laisserai rien te blesser.”

“It’s Ara,” I muttered.