I dropped the towel and whipped the door open. "And yet that is exactly what you did to get back at me! There were no men in here! Both of those women have seen me unclothed to help me dress or tend to my medical needs. Yet, you choose to get jealous and parade in front of them for the sake of scolding me because you didn’t like my tone? Not okay!"
Kane went to touch my cheek, but I flinched, causing pain to swell up in his expression. "So, am I wrong for feeling this protective over you?"
My shoulders sagged. "You are wrong for yelling at me. You are wrong for scolding me in front of people like a child. And you are wrong for reacting so immaturely as to undress in front of Sarah AND Indrell to get back at me!" Tears trailed down my cheeks. “I thought that you would playfully scold me and tell me that I'm yours and not for others to be seen. I did not think you would scare me and then humiliate me." I slammed the door again.
I heard a thump. And by the weight of it, I could only assess that it was him, dropping his head to the door. I imagined him standing there, forehead touching the wood, hands on either side of him doing the same, a look of anger and frustration with me pulling his lips thin.
But instead, I was surprised by his tone. “And for that, I cannot express to you how deeply I regret my reaction. Please, Auri. Open the door.”
I wrapped my arms around myself, feeling exposed and frail. "You scared me."
"Did you really think I was going to physically harm you? I was not the one throwing objects," he retorted.
"I'm sorry about that." I curled into myself.
"I am sorry for scaring you," he said softly.
Cautiously, I opened the door. At first, I didn’t look up at him. A small, thin thread of stubborn fury clung in my consciousness. It pulled my nerves taut and refused to allow my need for his comfort to pass and take hold. I stood, holding the towel to me, looking down. It wasn’t until I felt his touch, as his fingers running down my arms, did I feel it snap.
His arms wound around me as he curled me into him, kissing my hair. "I am so sorry, Auri," he whispered in my ear. "I was once called the Prince of Rage. I am reminded now just how bad I can be." He rubbed my back.
I stood and sobbed against him until I started to hiccup. And the whole time, he just held me, stroking my hair and letting me get it all out. But I wasn’t just crying over our fight. I was crying over everything. The loss of my life on my home planet. The fear of being in a strange world. The anger of being practically hunted. And the uncertainty of the safety of our future family. I sobbed for it all, and I think he knew that.
Finally, he pulled me back slightly. "You need some water."
I nodded and looked around. "Yes."
He went to the table where Sarah had placed the food and water pitcher. Pouring a glass full and grabbing a few small bites of food, he brought them over to me. "Here you go."
“Thank you.”
I took the glass and climbed into my chair by the fireplace. After taking a drink, I swallowed hard. I went to stand, realizing I was still only covered by the towel, but he put a hand on my shoulder. “What do you need?”
“Clothes. Please,” I reply.
Without saying anything, Kane went to the wardrobe, returning with a soft, full length nightgown and matching robe. Helping me into it, he took the towel to the bathroom, returning once again. This time, he knelt down and placed a pair of extremely soft socks on my feet.
Rubbing my calves, he looked up at me. “I need to be more understanding of how difficult this all is for you. You are always so brave… so strong. Not unlike my warriors. Not at all like a typical woman. I find that I forget that this is not a normal life for you. I will endeavor not to forget in the future.”
I wrapped the robe around me tighter, eating one of the crackers he had brought me. "I am sorry."
"Me too." He sat back and let out a breath. "All I wanted to do was kiss you awake this morning."
"You were angry because people came?" I sipped the water, looking at him curiously.
"I was not angry. But I was not pleased either. Our alone time is often short or cut off. And I wanted our first morning back home to be a lot less filled with aggression and worry,” he admitted.
I started to giggle and clasped my hand over my mouth. Slowly lowering it, I batted my eyes. “You get very jealous over me.” I straightened up, gathering myself and appearing serious again. “But you can’t take that out on me!”
He nodded. "Yes. I understand that now." He stood and held a hand out to me. "Forgive me."
Taking his hand, I let him pull me up into an embrace. "Probably always." I smiled sweetly up at him. "What is going on with this body that was found? Did you go see?”
He shook his head, kissing my hand near the ring. “No. I came back for you. I am not sure who it is. But I should go meet Dorian. He is no doubt restless that I have not come yet.”
Suddenly, I was embarrassed for the whole ordeal. “Sorry. Yes. Please. Go tend to your duties. I’ll stay in here. I do need to eat, and I think I need Indrell’s help.”
He gripped my shoulders and looked me over.
