chapter 39

Ridge

Despite my attempt at not scaring her, she throws a wild, panicked look in my direction and pulls her knees tighter to her chest. The blanket hangs over her face like a cloak, hiding her away but giving her room to keep her eye on us.

“Still the most awake she’s been in days,” Trystan mutters as he draws up to the end of the bed and studies her. Worry hovers behind his turquoise eyes. He snaps his fingers three times, like he’s calling a pup. “Sable! Wake up.”

Archer clasps Trystan’s shoulder, pulling him back. “Don’t be an idiot. You’ll scare her.”

“I’m not trying to scare her!” Trystan grunts, shrugging Archer’s hand away.

Beneath her blanket fort, Sable makes a small, panicked sound as her face disappears entirely beneath the blanket.

“Oh?” Archer jerks his chin to indicate Sable. “Well, you’re doing a real bang-up job of it anyway.”

Trystan doesn’t reply, but he storms away from the bed to go lean by the open door, his brooding gaze on Sable’s shivering form. Guilt lingers i