Chapter 43 Burn
BURN
Burn stood under the spray of the oversized shower, letting the almost scalding water beat down on his shoulders and back.
It was the one luxury he’d found since being dumped in this oversized fucking prison—the hot water seemed endless.
The heavy jets pummeled his muscles until some of the tension and all of the grime from the Skow prison ship finally washed away.
He braced his big hands on the slick tile walls, letting the water pound over him until the mirror on the wall was completely fogged, steam curling in the massive bathroom like a sauna.
Gods, I needed this. Could almost forget, for a minute, that we’re prisoners in a fucking Trollox’s house.
After a while, he shut the water off, shaking droplets from his black hair, and dried himself with one of the Trollox’s monstrous towels. The thing was rough enough to exfoliate him raw, but it felt good and he scrubbed himself dry vigorously.
In the closet, he found a pair of dark blue sleep trousers. They were softer than the towel, even if the crotch looked like it would be a little too snug for comfort. Burn tugged them on and ran a hand over his beard, peering into the polished silver mirror hanging over the dresser.
Fuck, these pants are tight. Better than going around with my shaft swinging free, though.
Burn prowled around the vast room for a few minutes, feeling uneasy. He checked the single enormous window and found bars on it, which seemed ominous but not surprising.
He hated how exposed he felt here. There were no escape routes and no way out unless they found the shuttle key. Otherwise they were just waiting for the Trollox to get bored with them, like that fucking four-armed chef, Cookie, had warned.
But what happened to the last group? And why the fuck does the fucking Trollox keep calling us piggy-wigs? Is that supposed to be funny? If he says it again, I swear I’ll—
A sound cut through his thoughts, muffled, but unmistakable. It was the soft, broken sound of someone crying.
Burn froze—every instinct going on high alert. The noise was coming through the wall that adjoined his room to Noelle’s. Her sweet voice was raw and aching—full of pain.
Burn was instantly on the alert.
Fuck—what the hell is happening? Is someone in there with her? That bastard Trollox better not be trying anything!
He was out the door and into the hallway before he even registered moving. The plush carpet swallowed his footsteps, but he caught a flash out of the corner of his eye—Bright was there, too, coming from the opposite direction. They met in front of Noelle’s door, both looking grim.
“She’s crying,” Bright said, his face tight with worry.
“I know.” Burn’s voice came out low and harsh. He wanted nothing more than to bust down the door and check every inch of her room for threats.
If that three-headed freak is in there… I’ll rip him apart, pain collar or no pain collar.
But Bright was already knocking.
“My lady? Are you well?” he called.
Silence, except for a choked sob from within.
That was enough for Burn. He didn’t do gentle—not when someone he cared for was hurting. He banged his fist on the door, making it rattle in the frame.
“Noelle? Baby? What the fuck is going on—are you okay?” he demanded, heart pounding in his chest.
There was a pause, then a thin, trembling voice.
“I don’t… don’t know.” Her words trailed off, muffled by sobs.
Burn’s patience snapped.
“That’s it—I’m going in.” He tried the handle and found it unlocked—thank the Goddess—then pushed his way into the room with Bright on his heels.
The room was dim, lit only by a soft golden glow from the bedside lamp.
Noelle was a small, lonely figure in the middle of the enormous bed.
Her hair was a wild halo around her lovely face, and tears shone in her big brown eyes in the dim light.
The red nightgown she wore clung to her curves, almost translucent in places, especially over her nipples which looked dark and tight beneath the sheer fabric.
When he saw her tearstained face, Burn’s heart twisted in his chest with a fierce need to protect—to fix whatever was wrong.
He scanned the room quickly—no sign of the Trollox. In fact, there was no sign of any intruder. Relief flooded him, making his knees weak for a split second.
She’s alone. She’s safe.
But even so, it was clear something was very wrong.
Bright moved forward first, kneeling on the bed beside her.
“Noelle, sweetheart, what is it? What’s happened?” His voice was gentle, coaxing.
Burn came up to sit on the other side of her. He wanted to pull the curvy little human into his arms, but he held back—uncertain what was the right thing to do when she was so upset. His heart burned inside him.
Gods, she looks so fucking fragile right now. I’d do anything to take her pain away. Anything.
Noelle sniffled, wiping her face with the coarse sheet, but still not meeting their eyes.
In the lamplight, Burn caught a glimpse of something glistening on her chest—golden drops at the tips of her nipples. His brows drew together.
What the fuck? Is she… leaking?
“Talk to us, baby,” he said, trying to soften his voice. It still came out rough, but there was nothing he could do about that. “Are you in pain? Did someone hurt you?”
She shook her head, a fresh wave of tears making her shoulders shake.
“No, I… it’s not that. I just… I don’t know what’s happening to me.”
Burn exchanged a look with Bright—his friend’s hazel-green eyes were filled with concern and confusion.
Burn felt out of his depth. If this was a physical threat, he knew what to do—fight it or kill it to protect the woman they both cared for.
But when the threat was something he couldn’t see, couldn’t fight… well, what could he do?
Bright, as always, was better with words than he was.
“You don’t have to face this alone,” he said quietly, reaching out—slow, gentle—to take her hand. “We’re here for you, Noelle. Whatever is happening, we’ll get through it together.”
Burn knew the Light Twin meant every word—and he spoke for both of them. He only wished he could put his own thoughts into words as well as his best friend.
I swear, I’ll tear down this whole fucking house before I let anyone hurt you, baby. I’ll kill every monster in this galaxy if I have to, he thought. You’re ours now. And we’re never letting you go.