Page 49 of The Stolen Throne
I swat him as I huff out, “Announce yourself next time, or better yet don’t hide in the corner like some weirdo!”
“I’m sorry,” he whines in embarrassment.
“Now, if you are done creeping on me from the corner like a weird stalker…” I grumble as I shift on the bed to make room and pat the spot next to me. “Lie down. I’m assuming you wanted to spend time with me?”
He nods, his hands still covering his face. I pat the bed again and whine, “Lie down with me.”
He huffs, uncovering his face. Which is still bright red when he shifts onto the bed to lie next to me. He holds himself deathly still, and I groan, “I will not break, Mir. You can move closer.”
“I do not wish to hurt you,” he whispers.
“I find it hard to believe you would hurt me. Now, hold my hand before I get offended.”
He moves a bit closer before slipping his hand into mine. Our fingers tangle together, and his hold is gentle. Too soft for him. I tighten my grip on his hand. “Mir, I won’t break. Your bite hurts more than your hand holding.”
He snorts a laugh before groaning. “Please, do not mention biting you. It just makes me want to fuck you.”
I laugh. “Then fuck me.”
He sighs. “Not yet, Darling. You need to heal a bit more.”
“I do hope you are still hungry when that time comes,” I joke.
His grip in mine tightens, and his tone turns serious. “I’ll always need you. My hunger for you will never die.”
I hum as I snuggle closer to him. I’m finding that my men may not know how to say ‘I love you’ with words, but their actions speak for themselves. It’s just not in the ‘normal’ way. But we aren’t normal people. And even though I know I care deeply for them, I’m still too scared to say it myself.
As I wake, I spread out my arms but feel only a chill. Slowly opening my eyes, I see Mir is no longer beside me. With a groan, I get out of bed and glance out the window to see that the sun has made it over the horizon. The guys will all be at training, which means I will get a few hours of alone time.
I look around the room and ponder what to do with the few hours I have alone. I’m sure once the guys finish training that they will seek me out. I don’t feel like walking to the library, but I do have some books stashed in the corner.
Maybe I should make a reading nook, or better yet a reading burrow, somewhere I can store my Dragoness’ hoard. I grin when I think of Alair’s nickname for me. A burrow for his little fox. Biting my lip, I debate how to go about making myself a burrow.
I jump into action as the idea solidifies in my mind. I'll need lots of blankets. Opening the door to my room, I look down the hallway and find a few guards, but not a single one of my guys is in sight. Grinning, I run down the hall to Rev’s bedroom.
I rush in and snatch a few of his blankets from his bed before taking off again. As I race back to my room, some of the guards give me looks with raised brows. I offer them a smirk as I toss the blankets onto my bed and head back out for more. Next up, Mir’s bedroom.
I repeat this with each of the guys’ rooms, and I now have a big pile on my bed. The guards grow curious the longer they watch me and have moved closer to my door to peer inside. One of them offers me an arched brow as I walk to the door to close it. “What are you planning with all of those blankets, miss?”
I grin as I answer, “I’m making myself a reading burrow. Have a nice day!” I shut the door with a huff of laughter. After looking at the blankets, I start to make myself a hidey hole. I lay blankets over the headboard and connect them to the footboard, then slide under the flaps on the side of the bed and burrow beneath the rest of my stolen blankets.
I can't help but grin at my pile of books by the headboard. Picking one at random, I begin to read as I relax under the blankets' warmth, while the comforting smell of my men wraps around me. Being surrounded by their scents adds an extra layer of safety and calm.
I’m halfway through my book when there’s a knock at my door. “Come in,” I yell from my position.
I hear the door slowly open, and a familiar voice rings out. “Eira? I know you’ve been cooped up in this room, I was wondering...”
Alair’s voice trails off, and I can’t help but smirk as I hear the question in his voice. “What have you done in here, Little Fox?”
I chuckle as I shuffle out of my burrowed spot on the bed and peek outside my makeshift hidey hole. I can see him looking over all of the blankets before his eyes meet mine. They are filled with amusement as I reply, “I made myself a reading burrow.”
He snorts a laugh as he asks, “Do you mind if I join you?”
I nod as I slide back into my previous spot. It takes him a moment, but then he slides in next to me. I’m lying on my side, my book now forgotten, as he lies down on his side, propping himself up on one elbow while facing me.
“How was training?” I ask, noticing a few new scrapes on his face.
He shrugs. “Same as usual.” He points toward my hoard of books. “What were you reading?”