Chapter 18

Elowyn opened her eyes. It was dark in the bedroom—the only light came from the glow of the embers in the fireplace across from the bed. She moved her upper body experimentally, groaning softly when it made her back throb and ache.

There was soft snoring above her, but she didn’t need to look up to know that she was back in Alaric’s bed and plastered against his naked body. He was lying on his back and she was sprawled naked across him on her chest and belly. His large thigh was wedged between hers, and his hard hands were resting on the backs of her thighs. She licked her lips.

Although her back was still burning, she thought that she might not feel as weary as she did before. She stared at the palm of her hand. The wound from the splinter had disappeared and she gave a small sigh of relief.

Sleeping on Alaric was helping. It just hadn’t healed her completely yet. She put her hands on the bed beside him and lifted herself a little. She gasped sharply, tears coming