Page 21 of What Beats Within the Tunnels

“You made a face when you faced me, then you rolled back and looked away.” He is way too observant for my liking.

“Oh, that. I didn’t think I was making a face. I turned on my side, forgetting my stitches are still healing, and it’s not quite comfortable to lie like that yet.” I paused, running my teeth over my bottom lip. “I wonder what he wants to show us tomorrow, if it has to do with my midnight mind and the burning forest I told you about. Or if my mother is here. It could be any number of things.” I also think of Luke but don’t mention that part to Colton.

Luke warned me to stay away from this place.

“Why didn’t you tell me? I can heal you.” He moves to sit up on his elbow.

“Oh, no, that’s okay. Soren did what he could, and I’m feeling much better.”

“The mortal,” he says, eyebrows raised. “Show me your side.”

I’m thankful for how dark this room is right now, because I can feel heat rising to my cheeks. I contemplate how to show him my side without getting naked, and it would be nice if he could heal me the rest of the way. The only reason it’s taken this long is because it was such a nasty wound. Colton makes some hand gestures for me to hurry up, and I slip out of bed, letting my feet hit the ground. I pull my gown over my head but keep my under slip on.

“What happened to your back?” He moves before I can answer, and I feel the tips of his warm fingers trail across the visible skin on my upper back.

“Who did this to you?”

“Don’t you already know?” I turn to face him, self-conscious with him so close.

“Did Nyx do this?” He clasps my shoulder so I can’t turn away.

“Nyx would never do something like that. Didn’t you know we got captured by Samael and were tortured…” I don’t want to be talking about this right now.

“Drew was not specific, only saying you and Nyx got into some trouble, you ended things with him, and you needed someone to help you with Fae magic. There was no mention of torture. Did Nyx kill the bastard at least?”

“No, but I did. Anyways, my back is almost healed completely, last I checked, only some red lines,” I say, sounding defensive, although I don’t know what I’m being defensive about.

“Your magic should be able to heal any petty wounds you get so for these marks to still be here, your wounds had to have been substantial. And Nyx left you like this, still hurt.”

“Nyx has always said he’s not a good healer, and he didn’t leave me hurt. I asked him to leave because I needed space, and he did. He was respecting my boundaries,” I retort, although I don’t know why I’m defending Nyx now.

“Show me your stitches. Wait, turn back around first.” I stare at him for a moment, and he releases my shoulder. I debate not turning around again because I don’t want him seeing the marks on my back again. I feel awkward, but I’m not sure why. I sigh, turning away from him so he can examine me.

“I’m fine, really,” I insist. A soft glow lights up the room from behind me, and I can feel Colton’s fingertips trail across my skin again. A warm tingling sensation follows his every touch as he traces the marks on my back. He tugs at my slip, and I slide my arms out and let it fall to my hips. He’s behind me, so he can’t see anything, and surprisingly I don’t think he’s trying to. Once he’s finished with my back, he presses a palm to my side, and I suck in a breath, not because it hurts but because this close contact and the heat from his body touching mine are doing something to me. I push those thoughts out of my head, quickly reminding myself I don’t know what is going on with Nyx and I.

I did end things with him, but I don’t know if that’s really what I want.

I can feel it the moment Colton’s done, and I look down at his hand as the soft white glow dissipates, and I’m left with unscarred flesh. He takes each of my straps and works them back up my arms, taking his time until my slip is perfectly back in place. Then he lies back on the bed.

“Thank you,” I whisper as I crawl back into bed.

“Get some sleep.” He inhales deeply, and I sneak a peek at him. His jaw is set hard, and I don’t know what else to say.

Chapter

Nine

Morning finally comes, and I awake to Colton sitting on the end of the bed, leaning against the bed post, watching me.

“It’s too early for you to be creepy,” I murmur, stretching.

“I’m enjoying coffee…and the view.” He smirks, and I look down remembering I’m only wearing my slip. I pull the blankets up my body.

“Very funny, and how did you get coffee?” I rarely drink coffee, which always tastes bitter to me, but I guess I should start drinking more of it if I’m going to keep losing sleep. Colton seems to read my thoughts and brings me a cup.

“You are quite the heavy sleeper once you actually sleep. A lady was here. A Lycan lady to be precise, she left some clothes for each of us and a tray of coffee and fruit.” He ran a hand through his hair, tucking it out of his face, looking down at the tray resting on the bedside table. “Oddest-looking fruit I’ve ever seen, but you’re welcome to test it out for us.”

The coffee is dark as night, and I have to choke it down. It’s still hot, so that helps. As for the fruit, it does look unusual, but I imagine Zomea is like all the other realms, each having food vastly different from one another. In fact, the only constant amongst the realms seems to be whiskey and wine. I grab something that resembles a banana, only it’s red and fuzzy. Peeling back the outside reveals a creamy sweet inside that tastes very similar to a banana but softer and sweeter. I take a few bites and head into the bathing chamber to get cleaned up.