Free The Last Guardian Rises (The Last Keeper's Daughter) by Rebecca Trogner

recrimination, in fact, she was suppressing a smile. 
    “So many subjects, so little time.”
    Unable to hold back her laughter, it erupted and filled the room. “Really, why have you been gone?”
    “Research.”
    “The gates.” Her smile faded. “Why can’t we find anything useful?”
    He didn’t want to lie to her. His “research” consisted of hunting and “interviewing” members of the Brotherhood. “We will. It’s just a matter of time.”
    Lily sat on the bed, bounced a few times and then leaned back on her elbows.
    I need to get out of here before I do something that can’t be undone .
    “Do you enjoy everyone being afraid of you?”
    Lucien blinked. Was she teasing him? He couldn’t tell by her expression. “You’re not afraid of me… Are you?”
    “No, but I’ve heard the rumors about you.”
    “Ah, well, court talk.” Lucien didn’t want to have this conversation. He turned his back on her and walked toward the door.
    “Are you really cursed?”
    He stopped and reached back to touch Dragon sheathed behind his left shoulder. “Cursed in what way?” Had she learned something from the archives? Were there tales of the curse Faye had laid upon his head sitting dusty upon the shelves? Is that what was written inside the book Lily had carried with her on the plane? Or was she just fishing? He couldn’t tell for sure.
    “I don’t know. That’s all they’ll say. ‘The hand that wields the Dragon is cursed.’”
    He relaxed. She knew nothing. “Never to my face.”
    “No, they’d never risk saying it to you.” There was a rustle of bedclothes; she must have slipped off the bed. “If they knew you the way I do, they wouldn’t say such things.” He could hear her breathing behind him. “They whisper things about me too.”
    He turned to face her. “What do they say?”
    “I’m the cause of all the unrest.”
    “You know that’s not true.” His fingers itched to touch her skin.
    “Partly. You helped me, before, you know, to try and interact with Krieger’s subjects. I did try.” She wrapped her sweater tighter around her. “They don’t trust me.”
    What she said was true. There was a faction of Krieger’s subjects that feared her influence on the king.
    Lily’s hand rested on his arm. “I just wanted you to know that you can trust me, if you’d like to talk or anything.”
    “I value your friendship.”
    Lily reached out and placed her hand on his stomach. He’d just flown with her in his arms, but that was for a purpose. This contact was in her bedroom with no reason that he could discern. At least, nothing he would allow.
    “Let me get this for you.”
    His button had come undone. He felt nervous as a virgin groom on his wedding night. I should leave, now .
    “Krieger and you are like brothers, Merlin is his advisor.” She brushed his shirt down flat and let her hands fall to her sides. He wanted to yank her back into his arms, but remained still as a marionette with no strings. “I’ve been thinking of telling Martha and Jo about all this.” She looked around the room. “The vampires, the Others, everything. I need their friendship.”
    He knew loneliness well.
    “Would it be selfish of me to tell them?” she asked.
    “No. I think it would be good for you.” He gave her a wink, hoping to brighten her sad eyes. “And now, though I hate to do so, I must leave you,” he said and moved halfway to the door.
    “Wait.” Lily had to run to catch up and block his path.
    “Yes.” He fought his desire to cup her face in his hand.
    “How do I turn on the lights?”
    His chest relaxed. “Little mermaid,” he murmured. “You’ll have no electricity, but plenty of candles. The guards will see that they stay lit for you.” He indicated with his chin towards the bathroom. “Gravity will take care of the toilet. The large drum above the bathing tub is kept hot by the fire underneath it.”
    “It’s nothing I’ve done, then?” she asked, and peered up at