Then she heard it. Something real. A sound that existed outside of discord within her mind. Something soft and gentle and comforting dragged her from her swirl of misery, bringing her into the present. Even before her knob began to turn, she knew who had come. The sound of her feet on the hall rug, the gentle way she twisted the handle, the ease with which she opened the door with every ounce of stealth were a sweet rush of relief.

Nox didn’t need to look over her shoulder to know Emily was sliding into her room, clicking the door closed as quietly as she could. Five muted steps over carpet later, the supple, strawberry girl was at Nox’s back. Emily put an arm around her loosely, brushing her lips against Nox’s temple. Her full, soft breasts pressed into Nox’s shoulder. The soft sweep of strawberry-colored hair tickled her bare skin.

The voice remained low and sensual in respect of the late hour, not wanting to wake anyone else in the house as she said, “I saw your candlelight.”

“You should be asleep.”

Emily kissed the side of her face, then pressed her lips softly to the empty space between Nox’s neck and shoulder. Nox’s tension ebbed as she allowed the intimacy, exhaling as the small pleasure pulled her mind away. Emily slid her hands slowly down Nox’s arms.

Emily murmured against her throat, “I couldn’t sleep.”

“I can never sleep,” Nox admitted.

Nox’s heart would never belong to the freckled girl. Neither of them had explicitly said it, but they both knew. Still, the nights were long and cold, and the men who visited their chambers were sources of income, secrets, and power. Perhaps love could take many shapes and forms. Affection, companionship, and time didn’t need to last forever to be meaningful.

“I can help,” Emily whispered. “Let me help you sleep.”

Nox’s eyes drifted up to meet the bright, hopeful eyes that gazed at her. Emily was offering more than sex, and she knew it. Every time they connected, it was a bid to prove that she could fill the void in Nox’s heart. She would make a wonderful partner. She was pretty and clever and compassionate. She’d had endless patience for Nox’s guarded heart, her cagey answers, her wayward emotions. Nox didn’t know much of what the male patrons thought of Emily’s performance, but she was particularly skilled whenever they were together. And, Emily was right. She did know how precisely to help Nox unravel from the tight coils of the day.

Nox’s brows pinched as she sighed.

Emily ignored the weak attempt at protest entirely.