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“Never underestimate the restorative power of a good cuddle.”

Kerris Dawn, An Observation

“K erris? Hello? Why is the door locked?” The knob jangles in time with Nia’s irritated voice.

My eyes flash open, meeting a pair of stunned black ones.

Ever is here. In my bed. And there is sunlight streaming through the bloody window!

Oh no.

Oh no.

Oh no.

“Just a minute!” I rasp, throwing the covers aside and scrambling over Ever to get out of the bed.

Thank goodness I had the foresight to lock the damn door before falling asleep last night.

After what happened at the quarry, my energy had been sapped. I’d bathed to wash away the dirt and lake water and then fallen straight into bed. It’s a wonder I woke up at all.

But I did wake up and I…

My hands fly to my fiery cheeks.

I asked Ever to cuddle with me.

I can’t even blame my boldness on drink. I simply wanted him to stay, and he did.

Now he’s here and?—

The way Ever’s hair sticks straight up at the back is the most endearing thing I’ve ever seen. He might be a dangerous Unseelie warrior, but he is also an excellent snuggler.

For some reason, he isn’t getting out of the bed.

“What’s wrong?” Why doesn’t he seem the least bit fazed by our current predicament? The sun is out and if he climbs down the roof now, the neighbors are liable to see him.

He frowns.

“Ever!” I hiss under my breath.

The muscles in his bicep flex as he drags a hand through his hair. “I am struggling with something that you do not wish to discuss.”

His gaze makes an unmistakable sweep down the front of my robe?—

Hold on. Where the hell is my robe? I could’ve sworn I put it on last night, but now I am standing in front of this man in nothing but my shift and bloomers. The cool morning air leaves my nipples straining against the silk. I fold my arms over my chest to try to hide them even though there’s no point because he has obviously already had a good gander.

I am struggling with something that you do not wish to discuss.

Ever adjusts the covers over his lap, his pained wince transforming into a grimace. The meaning behind his cryptic words clicks, and I choke on the air evacuating my lungs.

His body is stirring .

Thump. Thump. Thump . “Kerris! Come on. Mother needs help with the pies.”

Who can think of pies at a time like this?

Forcing my embarrassment aside, I look Ever dead in the eye. “You need to hide.”

He glances from the bed to the wardrobe and back again. “Where?”

Where, indeed?

“Kerris!”

“I’m coming, Nia! Just let me get dressed.”

Now it’s Ever’s turn to choke.

“Close your eyes and don’t peek.”

He rolls over in the bed and buries his face into the mattress. Trusting that he won’t try to steal a glance, I quickly change into one of the gowns I’ve altered from Madame Ella. Instead of wearing the corset with the ribbons to the back, I keep them at the front so I can tie them myself.

“You can open your eyes now.” Where are my damn slippers? I really need to clean this room. When I finally straighten, Everett is still staring at me.

“What is it?” Tell me there isn’t drool crusted on my chin. After going to bed with my hair wet, heaven only knows what it must look like.

He shakes his head, as if dispelling cobwebs from his brain. “My heart aches at the sight of you.”

It is too early in the morning to swoon.

The smallest wrinkle appears between his brows. “Are you too warm again? Your cheeks are as pink as the dawn.”

“I’m not too warm. I’m?—”

“Kerris!”

Why can’t Nia leave me alone for one damn minute? I am trying to sort this out and it’s difficult to think with the way Ever’s eyes seem to drink me in. I grab one of the leather queues from my bedside table and pull my hair back from my face.

Ever watches like I’m the most fascinating thing he’s ever seen.

“Do you think you can get out of here without anyone seeing you?”

“Of course I can. I am our clan’s stealthiest hunter.”

I glance out the window, skeptical. Still, he doesn’t seem concerned, so perhaps my own worries are misplaced. “Will I see you tonight?”

He nods. “I will be waiting for you at the bridge.”

I reach for the doorknob, but do not leave. When I turn and find Ever still sitting on my bed, an overwhelming urge washes over me. Before I can think too much about what it means, I hurry to his side and press a kiss to his cheek.

I leave in a flurry, my stomach leaping all over the place as I bound down the stairs to where my cousin waits in a floral apron, a second stretched toward me. “It’s about time,” she clips. “You’ve been asleep forever.”

Aunt Cordelia stops rolling pie dough long enough to sprinkle extra flour over her rolling pin. “Good morning, Kerris. There are fresh blueberry pancakes over on the table if you’d like some breakfast. Nia, dear. Will you run outside and gather the eggs? We’re going to need as many as we can get if we want to beat Mrs. Wilson this year.”

Nia retrieves the basket from the edge of the counter.

I don’t know who Mrs. Wilson is or why we want to beat her, but I do know that if Nia goes outside right now, she’s liable to find Ever scaling down the roof.

“I’ll get the eggs!” I swipe the basket right out of my cousin’s hand.

Nia tries to take it back, but my fingers are locked on. “You need to have breakfast.”

“I’m not hungry.” My stomach chooses this very moment to moan, making me look like a liar.

Nia’s gaze drops to my middle, and her brows quirk. “You eat, and I’ll get the eggs.”

“Why don’t you both do it?” Aunt Cordelia clips.

Curse my aunt and her problem-solving. Nia takes advantage of my distraction and steals the basket, then she slips out into the garden.

I burst out of the back door behind her. “Isn’t it a glorious day?” I say far too loudly, a warning for any Unseelie who might be trying to escape. From the corner of my eye, I see Ever freeze on the thatch.

So much for being stealthy. If Nia looks up, she’s going to see him in all his bare-chested glory.

The next time I feel like cuddling, I will have to ignore the urge.

Nia stops dead and narrows her eyes at me. “What is wrong with you?”

“Nothing at all. Just loving the fresh air and sunshine.”

With a roll of her eyes, she ducks inside the coop without noticing my Unseelie visitor. I wave for him to hurry up, which earns me a grin.

I cannot help but grin back.

“You’re smiling like a loon,” Nia remarks as I enter the coop behind her.

She’s right, but I cannot seem to stop.