He placed his hand at the small of her back, pulling her away from the stall, and leaned down to nip at her ear. “Or do you not remember our last trip?”

Memories of his hand working her from behind trickled in, but she shoved them down, ignoring the way her body practically throbbed in answer. Bastard.

Sensing her reaction, he hummed and moved to nip at her again, but she dropped her weight, taking him by surprise. She sank into a squat, twisting, and slammed her elbow straight into his gut. He bowed forward, pressing a hand to his stomach as she darted out of his reach and stood.

“I could get used to the sight of you bowing, green eyes.”

His head snapped up, but it wasn’t anger she saw swirling in his eyes. Adrenaline filled her veins, and she flashed him a full tooth smile before dashing out of the stall.

Chapter 9

EITHAN

He walked around the small cot, eyeing the bandages adorning Gibson’s limbs and torso. They were stained a light pink, but nothing warranting concern.

“When was he last cleaned up?”

“This morning, Your Highness,” Percy stuttered out. No, not Percy. Perrin? Something like that. At barely eighteen years old, the kid had been working under the head healer, Tilly, for only a year when the older man unexpectedly passed.

Eithan still wasn’t sure if promoting the skittish kid to take Tilly’s place was the best idea, but he’d needed someone fast, specifically, someone he could use. Perrin, or whatever his name was, had been the perfect candidate.

“How is his fever?”

“Broken just last night, Your Highness. I gave him another dose of sleeping aid when he awoke because he was quite distraught. But that was hours ago, so he should be waking again soon.”

Eithan gave the kid an appreciative look. Maybe he’d be a decent replacement after all. At least he was semi-competent. “Good. Did he say anything of interest?”

He watched Perrin closely, noting the way his eyes widened, and his fingers pressed in on the vial he was holding. “No, Your Highness. I mean, yes, he spoke, but no, it wasn’t interesting. He ran—ranted incoherently mostly. But…th–that’s not uncommon with people coming out of forced sleep. He—”

Eithan raised a hand, stopping him mid-ramble. “Thank you, Perrin, that’ll be all.”

The kid’s brows pinched ever so slightly before he jutted forward and gave a deep bow, shuffling back until his ass bumped the door. Then he spun and darted out, the empty vial still clutched in his hand.

Eithan rolled his neck, trying to ignore the hair sticking to his skin and soothe his stiff muscles, before turning his attention to the restrained guard. “I know you’re already awake, Gibson. The rapid movement of your chest when I entered gave you away.”

Gibson’s jaw clenched, and Eithan watched the tendons in his hands twitch as he clamped them in tight fists on top of the thin mattress.

“No hello? Or even a thank you?” he asked, clicking his tongue in reprimand. “And after I had you cleaned up and your wounds tended to. I’m disappointed.”