“Before you go, can one of you show me how to clear my stench from the pool area?” I let out a deep breath. “I don’t want to get ambushed there next time I go to bathe.”
“I’ll show her later,” Cash said. “Could you do it when you leave?”
“No problem.” Malcolm focused on me. “Don’t exert yourself. Cody or Cash can get you whatever you need tonight.” He disappeared.
I combed my fingers through my hair, and since I wouldn’t be able to stay awake until it dried, I braided it. Both Cody and Cash watched me. Neither one of them made it obvious, but even though their heads were turned away, their eyes tracked every movement I made. I pressed my hands down to stand, and Cash said, “Sit. What do you need?”
I slumped down. “Water.”
Cody started to get up, and Cash motioned for him to sit. Then he rummaged through the supplies Malcolm had brought until he found a bottle of water. “Want it cold?” he asked as he delivered it to me.
“Yes, please.” I smiled at him. “Almost frozen.”
He cooled it off and handed it to me. As he turned away, he said, “I am sorry for the way I treated you. I thought any human with access to my name would use it like Draconian had.”
“I understand.” I unscrewed the lid. “Once bitten, twice shy.” I took a drink, then laid down.
Cody stretched out beside me. “Take some of my strength.”
Cash’s eyebrows pinched together, and he tilted his head.
“It helps me regain my energy, but sometimes I take too much from him. Then he has to sleep it off.” I shook my head at Cody. “I can’t risk it. If we have to make a quick getaway, I need you coherent.”
Cash knelt beside me. His purple eyes were inquisitive. “Can you take mine?”
“Yes.” I set my hand on his forearm. “Aurelia says that dragon power runs so deep that I only take a sip of it.”
His fingers brushed mine, and I was surprised by their softness. “Take whatever you need.”
I siphoned his energy into me. Like Aurelia’s, it was instantly revitalizing. The pure strength of it made adrenaline surge through me. I closed my eyes and savored the feeling.
“Are Russ and Arianna with Samantha and Dan?” I asked after letting go of his arm.
Cash moved back to the other side of the room, opening and closing his hand.
“I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“No.” He looked down. “It feels weird.”
“How?” Cody asked.
“Like a part of her flowed back into me.” He shook his hand, then looked at us. “Your friends are being guarded by them. They are safe.”
I rolled onto my side and propped myself up on my elbow. “Do they know you’re here?”
“No. The fewer who know, the safer you’ll be.” He looked like he wanted to say more but didn’t.
“I don’t know if Malcolm told you, but Russ let me look into his head. I know I can trust him.”
Cody slid his hand around my waist and rested his head on my shoulder.
A sudden rush of desire flared through my body.
Cash sniffed the air, and his pupils turned to slits. “I’m going to stand outside for a while. Go to sleep.” His voice was gruff, and I remembered Malcolm telling me that desire made me smell even better to the dragons.
“I’m sorry, Cash.”
He smiled back at me. “I was young once. I understand.”
Heat flared in my body, rushing up my neck, and spilling onto my cheeks.
Cash laughed as he stepped through the crack.
I turned in Cody’s arms and slid my hands under his shirt, tugging it off. I pulled his body closer to mine and trailed kisses from the base of his neck, up over his chin, and onto his lips.
He moaned in response, clutching my butt. “What’s this?”
“I have all this energy—” I laughed “—and since I can’t even stand up to get a bottle of water, no way to use it.” My hands roved over his chest, and he leaned back, stretching his neck up.
I kissed the bottom of his chin, then pressed my mouth to his. He wrapped his arms around me and flipped me over.
I pulled my head back. “He’s probably watching. He vowed to guard me.”
His eyes shone. “Won’t let him see anything.” Cody’s voice was husky.
I nodded, and his head descended. His lips claimed mine, pressing harder, opening them, trapping the moan in my mouth.
Our bodies were pressed together. I rubbed my leg along his and slowed the kiss, savoring every touch.
He moved his kisses from my lips to my neck and up to my ear. “I love you.” His tongue traced along my ear, making me suck in a breath and stealing my reply. I dug my fingernails into his skin, clutching his body. I closed my eyes and rolled my head back.
His lips brushed mine, and I yawned. Cash’s energy had been like adding lighter fluid to a fire. It burned bright and quick.
Cody rolled onto his back, and I laid my head on his chest. His arms were wrapped around me, strong, comforting. “I’m sorry,” I said.
“Just rest, Dacia.” He traced his fingers along my arm in a soothing motion, raising goosebumps on my skin.
“Thank you for coming with me.” My words were thick and slurred together.
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
Closing my eyes, my breathing evened out. I trailed my fingers over his chest. I was vaguely aware of Cash coming back into the room.
Chapter 23
Fixated On Fairies
When I woke up, Cash and Cody were huddled together in the corner whispering. Cody glanced over when I stretched. “Morning, Sleeping Beauty.”
“Morning.” Standing up, I pulled the blanket with me, draping it over my shoulders. The cave was chillier this morning. They watched me carefully as I walked over to them.
“How’re you feeling?” Cash scrutinized every move I made.
“Much better.”
