Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Five

I woke to the sounds of people talking and the smell of food. My stomach rumbled and I sat up.

The talking stopped.

I rubbed my eyes and saw Lucas and Adrian staring at me over a pile of food. “What time is it?”

“Ten in the morning,” Adrian said.

“What time did we get here?”

“Two. You’ve been asleep for eight hours.”

I fell back against the pillows. “I could sleep for another twelve.”

Adrian snorted. “No kidding. How many days did you stay awake before you left for Peru?”

“Uhh.” I scratched my head as I thought. “I think I got two or three hours the first few nights at St. Ailbe’s. Then, I pretty much stayed awake for three days straight. Although I passed out in the infirmary for a couple hours. So…”

“And how did you sleep now?” Lucas asked.

I thought about it for a second. “Like the dead. It was amazing. Best night of sleep I’ve had in years.” I felt Lucas’ pleasure at that, and smiled. This whole thing was new, but it was nice knowing that my sleeping well made him happy.

I struggled to sit up again. “I’m going to shower. Save some food for me?” I didn’t wait for an answer. I went into the bathroom and started the water. Some of Beth’s clothes were sitting on the counter. In the rush to get here, I’d left my backpack in the forest. I guessed all those clothes were history. What a waste.

The water was perfectly steamy. I scrubbed myself from head to toe before getting out and brushing my teeth. It was a crappy hotel toothbrush, but I didn’t care. Running water was a treat I now appreciated in a whole new way.

I got dressed in the yoga pants and tank that Beth had loaned me. She was taller and thinner than me, but the clothes fit well enough. I finger-combed my hair and then left it. My body was still too tired to bother with a braid.

When I stepped outside, Adrian was gone. A new tray of food was in his place, with silver covers keeping it warm. I poured myself a cup of coffee, holding it with both hands as I settled into the chair. I pulled my feet up, and sighed. This was the life.

“Feeling better?” Lucas asked.

That was a giant understatement. “There’s not much that coffee and a hot shower can’t fix.” We were quiet for a second, and for the first time it was a little awkward. I wasn’t sure how to be his mate. Or what he expected. And I wasn’t sure what I wanted from him either.

“I didn’t know what you’d want for breakfast, so I got a bunch of things.”

I took a breath, letting go of all that worry.