Nonna’s stew and biscuits filled every single crevice within me, and before I knew it, I was back in the loft. Crawling under the covers of the enormous bed, I reveled in the softness of the mattress. I’d never slept on anything so nice before in my life.
Sliding my daggers beneath my pillow, I lay on my back and closed my eyes. The crackling fire downstairs filled my ears and soon, sleep was beckoning my name.
Releasing my grip on reality, I slipped into the welcoming darkness.
* * *
“Ana, you need to wake up.”
A deep male voice reached me, pulling me out of my dreamless slumber. Blinking, I rubbed my hands over my eyes as I took in the male standing over me.
Xander was nothing more than shadows, his large frame blending into the inky blackness of the night. I could have sworn his eyes flashed green in the darkness before they returned to their regular golden color.
“What time is it?” I mumbled.
“Time to get up,” he snapped.
I yawned, snuggling into the warm bed. “Could you be more specific? I’m still so tired.”
“It’s almost dawn,” he said moments before something heavy landed on me. “Get dressed. We need to leave.”
“What’s the rush?”
He huffed, irritation lacing his voice. Even though I couldn’t see him, I knew he was making a face at me. “My contact will only remain in Thyr until tonight. We need to see them before it’s too late. They have something for me, remember?”
His words made sense. But his tone made me feel… unsettled. He kept doing this. There was just something about this male that made me feel off-kilter. Even his closeness to me right now made me feel unstable.
And Idespisedfeeling unstable.
Frowning, I got a distinct impression that he was studying me. Which was completely unfair, because I could barely see anything in the dark.
“Do you mind?” Snapping, I pulled up the blanket and crossed my arms over my chest. “Unless you’re in the mood to be stabbed again, I would appreciate a few minutes alone.”
My words seemed to startle him because he jolted upright and hit his head on a rafter. He cursed, muttering as he straightened. “You’re so full of threats.”
“Leave, please,” I said through clenched teeth.
“Hold on a minute, Ana,” Xander said, before the distinct sound of shuffling filled my ears. I reached under my pillow, grabbing my blade, just as a flame flicked to life on a candle I hadn’t seen before. He placed the taper on the table, backing away.
“You couldn’t have done that earlier?” I snapped.
He ignored me, climbing down the ladder. His voice carried to me as he descended. “I’ll make some tea and say goodbye to Nonna. Come and meet me when you’re presentable.”
* * *
It took me twenty minutes to get ready.
During each and every one of those minutes, I cursed Xander while taking care of my needs. I brushed my teeth and hair before pulling on my lingerie and the same dress I had worn last night. I huffed as I sheathed my weapons on my body, thinking of ways to get back at Xander for his horrible attitude.
Once I went downstairs, I glared at him as I drank Nonna’s tea. It was warm and delicious and invigorating. In other words, it was perfect. Of course it was. I couldn’t hold Nonna’s association with Xander against her, but I had to wonder why she put up with him. She seemed so delightful.
To my utter dismay, Xander seemed to be completely at ease despite the early morning hour. My eyes narrowed as I took in his all-too-chipper attitude. He chattered with Nonna about inconsequential things, talking about people I didn’t know while he devoured a massive breakfast.
It was all terribly irritating.Hewas terribly irritating. No one had a right to be so chipper before dawn. Especially not someone as inherently bothersome as Xander. It seemed like every single thing he did was geared towards irking me.
Finally, it was time to leave.
I stepped outside, the fresh, crisp morning air finishing the job the tea had started. I blinked as my lungs filled with air that tasted like freedom. This was something I would never get used to.