EVANDER POV
"Too skinny?" she yelled. Her eyes went wide. She grabbed a wooden loofah and chucked it right at my head.
I ducked, laughing under my breath. "Are you still mad at me? Is that why you're throwing furniture?"
"Yes! I'm mad!.. You were mean to me last night !"
"Okay, okay," I said, stepping closer. I let a little smirk play on my lips. "How do you want me to apologize? Want me to get on one knee? Or maybe I should just buy you a bigger kitchen to hide in?"
She tried to stay mad, but a little giggle bubbled out of her. "You're such a jerk, Evander."
"Maybe. But I'm a jerk who just saved your eyesight."
"I hate you," she yelled, searching for another item to hit me with.
I moved fast, catching her by the waist before she could reach for another sponge. The wetness of her towel soaked right into my shirt. Her damp hair fell over my shoulders, and the world just... stopped. I was looking right into her eyes. My wolf was going crazy in the back of my head. "Claim her, Stop talking and just mark her."
"You must be mad," I cursed it beneath my breath.
"What did you say?" she asked looking lost.
"You want me to see you as a woman, Ember?" I whispered. My voice was a rough growl. "Is that what this is about?" I bent my face to hers I could feel her nose on mine.
She poked me hard in the chest, her eyes sparkling. "In your dreams, Your Majesty. You're lucky I even let you help. Now move."
She tried to wiggle out of my grip and march toward the bed, acting all tough. But her foot hit a wet patch on the stone. She slipped, a yelp escaping her. I caught her, pulling her back against my chest again but this was tighter.
She stood up fast and pushed me away. "Stop it. I'm not... I'm not comfortable with this, Evander. Just let me be."
She turned to walk away. The second she took two steps, I saw my chance. I dropped to my knees, letting out a loud, choked-off scream. I clutched my chest like my heart was being ripped out.
"Evander!" She spun around, her face going pale. She ran back to me, dropping to her knees and grabbing my shoulders. "What's wrong? Is it the madness? Is it happening now?"
I groaned, leaning my head into her shoulder, making sure our bodies were pressed together. I could feel her heart racing against mine.
"The pain..." I wheezed, acting like I couldn't breathe. "I need... I need the healing. It only works if I hold you. Stay close. Don't let go."
She wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight. I closed my eyes, breathing in the scent of the soap and her skin. It felt too good. I was definitely going to hell for lying, but I didn't care.
"Is it better?" she whispered into my ear.
"A little," I murmured, tightening my grip on her waist. "Just a bit more."
We stayed like that for a long time, but then a sound came from my chamber door at the entrance, the bond between us spiked. Not from my fake pain but something else.
The heavy oak door of my chambers was thrown open.
I looked up, still holding Ember on the floor. Standing in the doorway was Isadora, the "future Queen." She wasn't smiling anymore. She looked at me, then at the half-naked girl in my arms, and her eyes turned a flat, demonic green.
"The Council sent me to check on your health, Evander," she said, her voice like ice. "I see your 'healer' is very thorough."