Page 10 of Straw and Gold (A Realm of Revelry #2)

Killian

I wasn’t sure how long I stood outside her door.

Long enough to pick up the light rustle of her red gown as it fell off her body and onto the floor.

Long enough to hear her enter the bathing chamber.

Long enough to hear her rummage through her trunk, likely finding…whatever she wore to sleep.

Long enough to see the light go out under her door.

Long enough to convince myself to turn around and wait to see her tomorrow.

The dragging sound began at around two in the morning from what I could tell. I rose suddenly from the damp sheets where I’d been having another bout of nightmares—one after the other after the other—as was routine.

I wiped my face, quickly tying my hair back and glancing at the clock. Surely the guests had gone by now or were fast asleep in their makeshift beds on the floor of the great hall.

The long scrape of something heavy began again, and I bolted from my bed, headed for Morella’s room. I threw my door open and stepped into the hall, still dimly lit by one candle every other sconce.

The Queen of the Citrine Cliffs hunched in a crimson nightdress, lace cuffing the floor-length hem and thin silk pronouncing her curves. Her back was to my door as she pulled again at her trunk, dragging it across the floor. Her wings shifted and flared every foot she gained.

“What in the name of the Goddess are you doing?” I all but yelled, grabbing her arm to turn her.

She let go of her trunk and the look on her face would have drowned any other man. “I’m bringing my things to our room. What does it look like?”

“ Our room?”

“ Our room.”

I glanced behind me, still bleary, half wondering if I was dreaming this. “You’re trying to sleep here?”

She turned back to her trunk, continuing to drag it across the floor.

“I live here,” she said with a grunt, adding, “With you.” She backed into me as I blocked the door.

“We’re married, lest you’ve forgotten in the six hours it’s been.

” Adopting a saccharine grin, she cooed, “Be a dear and open the door a little wider, husband.”

“ Morella ,” I gritted through clenched teeth, “I don’t want you to live here.”

Her frown pursed into a pale thin line. “I gave my vow that I was sharing your bed and that makes it my bed as well.” She pointed into the room. “Just look at the thing! We’ll each stay on one side and practically have our own estates.”

Her wings were stronger than I expected, unfurling into my face and forcing me back. Quickly, she pulled her trunk the rest of the way inside before taking a look around.

“This will do nicely. I assume we have a bathing chamber?” She waved a hand flippantly in my direction. “Never mind, I’ll figure it out.”

She padded across the room, taking in every piece of me that was evident. Reaching the bed, she leapt across the sheets, tucking herself into one side.

Still in a stupor, I stood in shock, glancing from her trunk to her in my bed as if I couldn't quite understand how they’d gotten there.

“Morella?” I whispered harshly, shutting the door behind me.

She didn’t answer in the consuming dark.

And in my stupidity, I didn’t insist she answer back.