Lirael's POV

As soon as we got inside, I pressed her against the wall and skimmed my nose down her neck. “I’m sorry.”

Breathing in her sweet scent calmed me. As did the way her arms went around me, her hands pressing against my back. “It’s okay. It wasn’t your fault.”

I let out a harsh laugh. “I shouldn’t have asked you to come. I know what she’s like.”

She was silent for a moment, her hands smoothing up and down my tense muscles. “I can’t say I enjoyed the ...