The Raven (The Florentine #1)(120)

William had brought color to her world, even if the colors were black and red. He’d liked her body—all of it. He hadn’t wanted to fix her.

He’d awoken her body, her mind, her feelings. And he’d done the same with Aoibhe, presumably within hours of taking Raven to bed.

Which meant all his words and all his deeds were lies.

He’d said she was beautiful, but when the mood suited him, he’d taken a truly beautiful creature to his bed. Based on his expression of grief in the alley, he cared for her.

Raven was tempted to place her bracelet on his nightstand and slip out the back door. Fatigue and emotional upheaval prevented her from doing so.

It was only then, with her hand muffling her mouth, that she cried.

Chapter Fifty

William didn’t return.

Raven woke up several times, both dreading and hoping to see him. He didn’t appear.

It was Sunday. Lucia prepared an extensive breakfast, but Raven merely picked at the food. She accepted the coffee and orange juice, her mind fixed on what she would say to William when he came back.

Ambrogio reported that his lordship was well but engaged in business. He’d expressed his wish that Raven make herself at home.

Ambrogio gave no indication of when his lordship would return.

Raven spent the day with Lucia, examining some of the lesser pieces of his lordship’s art collection, making notes on areas that would require restoration.

By the time the sun set, William still hadn’t appeared.

At this point, Raven was agitated. She wanted to go home but Ambrogio suggested she was safer at the villa.

She knew his suggestion expressed his lordship’s order. While she chafed at it, she didn’t have an alternative. There were probably at least three hunters free in the city and they knew what she looked like. It was best to stay indoors.

Raven asked to be relocated to one of the guest rooms, but Lucia refused, stating that his lordship wanted her in his room.

Raven lacked the energy to argue with her and so, once again, she curled up on the divan.

Just before dawn Monday morning, she awoke to the sound of William entering the bedroom.

He stood by the closet, undressing with quiet, unhurried movements.

“I know you’re awake. I heard your breathing change.” He placed his clothes in a hamper and walked toward her, naked.

She allowed herself the luxury of admiring his form, even though it made her want to weep. “Where were you?”

William wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

“Hunting hunters. I caught them, thankfully. I caught all of them, hopefully before they informed the Curia. For the moment, at least, the city is free of hunters. Why are you sleeping there?”

She sat up, pulling the blanket from around her and handing it to him.

“We need to talk.”

His jaw clenched. “Can it wait? I’m still weakened from the attack. I’ve been looking forward to having you in my arms.”

“Just cover yourself, please.”

William muttered a curse, but did as she asked.

Her expression softened as she examined his face. “Are you all right?”

The skin of his face was still reddened, as if he’d been sunburned.

He turned away from her. “It will heal.”

“Since you’re resistant to relics, I would have thought you’d be resistant to holy water.”

He gestured to his face. “This is nothing. If they’d thrown it on Aoibhe, it would have eaten through her skin.”

“Why is it different with you?”

His eyebrows knitted together and he looked irritated. “Can we just rest? It’s been a difficult few days.”

“You asked me why I wasn’t sleeping in your bed. It’s because of her.”

“What the devil does she have to do with it?”

“She said she slept here—that she left you with her chemise.”

William appeared confused.

Then a ray of recognition passed over his perfect features.

“She has never visited me here. This villa repels vampyres. She visited me at my other residence at Palazzo Riccardi.”

Raven swore. “Is that supposed to make me feel better? You said Aoibhe was only an ally.”

“She is.”

“You lied.”

“I did not. Aoibhe is power hungry and manipulative, but she’s my ally and she’s been one for a very, very long time. I don’t trust her but she’s the closest thing I have to a friend on the Consilium. I need her support when dealing with those vipers.”

“Support,” Rave scoffed. “You slept with her.”

William lifted his chin. “I don’t deny it.”

“You’ve been sleeping with her while you’ve been sleeping with me, you arrogant bastard.” Raven stood.

“No, I have not.” William brought his hands to his hips.

“She said she left her clothes in your bed only days ago.”

“Aoibhe’s concept of time is somewhat . . . flexible.”

“That’s your defense?” Raven’s voice lifted. “That time is flexible?”

“I haven’t slept with her since we’ve been together. You have my word.”

“Why should I trust you? You told me she was an ally; you didn’t mention you were sleeping together. That’s a lie of omission.”