Page 65 of Ever After

Blue presses his smile into my hair. “Come on,” he says. “For once, Branok is right.”

“I am correct most of the time.”

“Off to bed,” Blue continues, ignoring him. “We need sleep and then we can start again tomorrow.”

“And work out who the man is?” I ask.

Branok nods, his brow creased in thought. “I have a feeling that this is someone from my past. I have spent years wondering why this happened to me, but never arriving at an answer.”

“Well, maybe this will be the time you get your answers,” Blue says gently.

“Aye. I am beginning to believe so.” Branok’s face has a mysterious cast in the dim light. He waves a hand. “Take your lad to bed. I will stay here and watch for danger. Sleep soundly knowing you will be safe.”

I’m unexpectedly touched. “Thank you,” I say softly.

“’Tis a small favour in return for the help you are giving me.”

Blue gets to his feet. “I’m not sure how much help we’ve actually given. We have more questions than answers and mainly seem to be on the back foot reacting to everything.” He offers a hand and pulls me up.

“We’ll change that tomorrow,” I say.

“Tomorrow,” he echoes and steers me past Branok who’s resumed his rocking. His gaze is far away as he looks into the fire. There’s movement and I watch as Dog emerges from behind his leg and jumps up into his lap.

It seems to take ages before we reach the top of the stairs, and I let Blue guide me into the bathroom. I glance at the bath and then quickly look away, exhaustion making it easy to shut down any thought but getting into bed. He strips off our wet, muddy clothing, drops them into the linen basket, and then starts the shower and shoves me under it. He follows quickly behind and I lean weakly against the tiles while he washes me, his hands so gentle and thorough. There isn’t an inch of my body he doesn’t kiss or examine for bruises and by the time he’s finished, I feel squeaky clean and deeply and profoundly loved. I’m also swaying slightly.

“You need to sleep,” he says, worry clouding his eyes.

“I—” A huge yawn cracks my jaw. “Sorry. I don’t know why I’m so tired.”

“I think it might have something to do with being possessed by an evil spirit who forced you to be unspeakably rude.”

He washes himself quickly and then guides me out of the shower. He dries me thoroughly and himself perfunctorily, before throwing the towel over the chair and leading me into the bedroom. He holds up the duvet, and I slide in, giving an involuntary grunt of pleasure at the feel of the cool sheets and firm mattress.

“God, that’s nice,” I say, hearing the slur in my voice.

Blue slips in next to me and drags me close, arranging me so my head is on his chest. His fingers play with my hair, and the beat of his heart is comforting beneath my cheek. I snuggle in, throw my arm over his waist, and the minutes slide by, quiet and calm. His hand moves slowly and gently, but each time I go under, I jerk awake again.

“Hush,” he whispers when it happens for the third time. “Go to sleep, macushla.”

I close my eyes. They fly open at a sudden horrible thought. “What do you mean I was unspeakably rude?” I ask warily.

He chuckles. “You were spectacularly rude to the Ocado man.”

“Shit,” I groan. “Spectacularly?” He nods. “Oh no.”

He presses a kiss into my cheek, his smile very obvious. He bites my cheek gently. “I think we’re going to have to look for another supermarket. You’re persona non grata at Waitrose.”

“Oh fuck.” I throw myself onto my back and stare unseeingly at the room. A rogue gleam catches my eye, and I frown when I see a couple of coins lying on the floor. I dismiss them and look back at Blue who is studiously not looking at me and suspicion stirs. “Hang on.”

“What?” he asks, his eyes cautious.

“I know a diversion when I see one.” I hesitate. “Was the Ocado man the only person I was mean to?”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” He waves a dismissive hand.

“Oh my god,” I say, coming up on my elbows. “What did I say to you?” He doesn’t reply, and I flush hot and cold. “What did I do?” I ask with dread. His flinch would be barely visible to anyone else, but I know this man of mine very well. “Blue?” I whisper, my heart breaking.

“It was nothing,” he immediately and predictably says, turning his face.