“She meant to drain me.”
“I never anticipated, and for that . . . I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t plan it better, or find a better way. But I can’t be sorry for what I am, or for waiting until I felt there was real trust before I told you, or the others.”
“Did you kiss me to help create trust?”
He cursed, surprising her with the quick flare of anger as he strode around the room. “That’s an insult to both of us. Bloody hell.”
He grabbed her, yanked her to him without any of the care or gentleness he’d shown in the healing. The flare of anger remained hot and ready in the kiss.
“You know it all now, so what was that about, do you suppose?”
“I have to think about it.”
“Fine then, you do that.”
“I’ll be down when I’m dressed.”
“That’s grand.” He strode out, gave the door a quick, bad-tempered slam.
She turned, walked to the mirror. No marks remained on her throat, and color had come back into her face. She didn’t feel weak now, Sasha realized.
And that was a damn good start.
* * *
Sawyer put his spin on sandwiches with grilled ham and cheese. Annika once again created a tablescape with napkins folded into flowers arranged along a winding river of plates. Once again wearing one of her flowy dresses, she stopped her work to turn and give Sasha a hard and heartfelt hug.
“You look pretty, and you feel better.”
“Thanks, and I do. Were you hurt?”
“Only a little, and Bran gave us a salve that smells very nice. Don’t have mad at him.”
“I’m working on it. Where’s . . . I can’t remember his name.”
“You mean Doyle. Doyle McCleary. Riding his dragon is fun. He came down, and he wanted to walk around the villa, to see the lay of the land.”
“Can’t blame him. Annika, thank you for helping me when I was hurt.”
“We’re here to help each other.”
As simple as that, Sasha thought. “You’re exactly right. Let’s have some wine.”
“I like wine.”
“I’ll get it.”
She went into the kitchen, where Sawyer flipped the last of the sandwiches onto a platter, and Riley pulled beer from the fridge.
“Dead-Eye here has hidden depths,” Riley said. “He made salsa.”
“Everything was here.” Sawyer turned. “Ready to eat?”
Sasha hadn’t thought she could face food, and now found the opposite true. “More than, and those look great. We’re missing Doyle and Bran.”
“They’re doing a walkabout. Snooze you lose,” Riley announced. “How’re you doing?”
“Fine now. How about both of you?”