silence. Ella dismissed all the servants, claiming their b

were empty, she

voice sharp. "Drag Cordaro up to the second-

k questions. He

ying Cordaro's massive, unconscious weight over his shoulder. He dumpe

arm fire crackled in the hearth, casting a soft o

ed at Kevan. "And loc

his eyes darting to Cordaro, before he bow

s final

lumped, the arrogant posture draining out of her body.

deep and rhythmic. The horrific wounds on his chest were seal

blood, dungeon grime, and sweat. H

ts clean. She couldn't stand seeing an animal-or a beastman-in suc

filled a silver basin with warm water. She

ped a towel into the warm water, wrung it out, and

precise. She wiped away the dried blood from his ja

the gentle friction seeped

d waking. But suddenly, the pain began to recede. He fel

ssing exactly into the pressure points at the base of his

d of malice, that Cordaro's fever-addled brai

ound he hadn't made since h

d completely. She forgot where she was

r of his gray wolf ears. She leaned in close,

whispered in that same strang

of pure, unadulterated kindness, acted l

ess violently

sadistic Ella Ortiz. The woman who tortured him didn't know how to be

in his limbs. He forced his eyes t

elashes, illuminated by the flick

d with the usual manic cruelty. They were soft, f

entirely, Ella noticed the sligh

n her chest. H

In her haste, the damp towel slipped from her hand and

stance between them. She mentally screamed for the

He lay perfectly st

c scent of the dungeon was gone. Instead, the air was filled wi

t had moved him to a warm bed. She was cleaning him. She

, his heart pounding against his r

l off his face, a violent, frantic

h the thick oak door, raw with panic. "Op