“No wonder you’re so desperate to find these relics,” Kendall said.
“I have to get rid of it,” Nathan said. “I don’t want to live like this. I don’t know if there really is a Fountain of Youth, but if anything could cure a curse, I think the Fountain of Youth would do it. I want to be normal, do normal things.”
“I’d feel a lot more comfortable if you were normal too,” Jake said, flipping off his flashlight. “I don’t like sleeping next to the Hulk, but I’m so tired right now I’d sleep next to the devil himself.”
“We’ll help you find it,” Kendall said. She shivered, and Jake took her hand and rubbed it between his. It felt so good she didn’t pull away. “Did Raphael say anything that might explain a connection between you two?”
“I didn’t get a chance to ask,” Nathan said.
“I think you need to talk to him,” Kendall said.
“Maybe Raphael’s cursed too,” Jake said.
Nathan didn’t answer, and Kendall knew he was considering the possibility.
“That was a joke,” Jake said. “Lighten up. We’ll find the Fountain of Youth, if it exists, and see if it removes your curse. Then you can hide it wherever you’ve hidden the Spear of Destiny.… Where is it?”
“Safe.”
“That’s what I figured. I assume you tried the spear to see if it would cure you?”
“It didn’t do anything.”
She heard a rustling noise that she thought must be Nathan returning the journal to his pocket. “Maybe you need all four relics.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Nathan said. “Damn, it’s cold in here.”
The temperature had dropped several degrees. What she wouldn’t give for her new thermal blanket, which was in her pack in the castle. “It is freezing.”
“I’d give you my jacket if I had one.” Jake relinquished her hand and leaned back. “I’d give my house for a pillow right now.”
“I think I would too,” Kendall said, trying to get comfortable. Were they going to sleep sitting up?
“I own a company that makes pillows,” Nathan said dryly.
“You own half the companies in the world,” Jake said. “Lot of good it’ll do you in here.”
“I’ve got to sleep,” Kendall said. And she wasn’t going to do it sitting up. She lay down on her back, staring at the blackness, awkwardly aware of Jake and Nathan sitting on either side of her like bookends. “Are you going to sleep sitting up?”
“Guess I’ll be the one to state the obvious,” Jake said. “We’re going to have to sleep close enough to share body heat.”
Nathan made a grunting sound that could have been an agreement or not. “It is bloody cold in here.”
“Question is,” Jake said, “who gets the girl?”
“Are you serious?” she asked.
“Damned if I’m going to cuddle with Nathan, and I doubt he wants to cuddle with me. I guess you’re sleeping in the middle.”
Kendall had spent enough time outdoors to understand the practicality of the situation. It was about staying warm. But when Jake and Nathan scooted close on either side of her, it gave her a tingle she wasn’t comfortable with. They each lay stiffly on their back, not talking.
“This isn’t working,” Jake said. “I have to roll over.” He did, facing her, and slipped a hand over her stomach. “Wanna spoon?”
Kendall felt her cheeks warm as she remembered how much she’d wanted to spoon with him earlier in the tower. It would be awkward facing him, so she rolled over and bumped into Nathan’s shoulder. “Sorry.” Her head was at an uncomfortable angle. She tried putting her arm underneath to cushion it.
“Lift your head,” he said. Kendall did, and Nathan slipped his arm under her neck and pulled her into his chest. His arm circled her shoulders. “It’s not a pillow, but it’s better than a cave floor.”
Much better. Kendall let her head settle against him. All sorts of strange sensations zinged through her as she felt his strength and the warmth of his skin. She’d never been this close to him, except when he’d hugged her in the inn, but this was more intimate. She could feel the muscles in the arm holding her, smell his scent. It felt awkward, but nice. The warmth of another human body was a beautiful thing. She didn’t know what to do with her hands. Usually, in this position, a woman’s hand would rest on the man’s stomach or chest. It wouldn’t be appropriate here, so she curled it in front of her, against his side. There was a nice hard line of muscle there too. She pulled her hands closer to her chest.
What was wrong with her? She’d almost made love to Jake earlier. She wasn’t fast and loose. She’d known girls who slept with any guy they were attracted to. Both Jake and Nathan were good-looking, decent men, secrets and flirting aside. But Kendall didn’t sleep with whatever guy she wanted. She hadn’t slept with many at all.
“When I said cuddle, I was being sarcastic,” Jake said.
Kendall felt a low rumble in Nathan’s chest and knew he was laughing.
“Stop complaining,” she said, feeling her lips brush Nathan’s soft button-up shirt. He hadn’t been wearing his usual suits lately. “I’m tired.”
Jake muttered something and lay back down, tucking his body closer to hers. So close she could feel parts she shouldn’t be feeling, but she couldn’t move or she’d be on top of Nathan.
“Your arm’s in my face,” Jake said to Nathan.
“Move your face,” Nathan said.
Jake grumbled and draped his arm over Kendall’s hip, just below Nathan’s, effectively covering her like a blanket. She lay there sandwiched between the two of them, warmth seeping in from both sides, and thought that if they couldn’t find their way out, this might be a good way to die.
Of course she dreamed about Adam, and she woke once when she felt lips brush the top of her head. She didn’t know whose, and she didn’t care. She didn’t even care that her hand was resting above Nathan’s belt and that Jake’s hand had found its way under her shirt and was against her stomach. Warmth. There was nothing better. Not food. Not even sex.
Her dreams continued, not of Adam, but of the cave, and the darkness she’d felt, and men on horses with swords. She felt them watching. Warning her. In the dream, she rose and followed them deeper into the cave. The markings on the wall were glowing. They led to a tiny opening in the wall. She immediately felt a stir of fresh air. When she woke next, she was still lying between Nathan and Jake, but they had all rolled. Now her cheek was pressed to Jake’s back, her arm around his waist, hand over his stomach. Nathan was close behind her. Her head still rested in the crook of his arm, which was draped across her breasts. The other hand was on her stomach. She could feel his breath stirring her hair and his erection nudging her hip.
She lay there, feeling both men breathing—in unison, oddly enough—and wondered if she was turning into a floozy. Her feelings for each of them were strong. Not love, but something very real. They both irritated her. Jake and his male ego. Nathan and his secrets. The attraction between her and Jake was obvious. Whatever was between her and Nathan was subtle, seething beneath a surface neither of them was willing to crack.
She felt someone watching and thought it must be Nathan behind her. But a deep breath of sleep sounded at her ear. She snuggled deeper into the warmth, shifting her head slightly on Nathan’s arm. She happened to glance up and saw a man poke Jake in the stomach with his sword. Not a man, a ghost. She jumped in alarm.
“That better be Kendall’s hand on my stomach,” Jake muttered. He sat up and turned on his light, scowling at Nathan who was untangling his arms from around her.
“I’m sorry, I…” She looked at the curious eyes watching them from faintly luminescent faces. Ghosts. No wonder it was so cold in here. There were dozens of them. The same ones from her dream. Some of them were on horseback; others on foot. They all carried swords. Warriors? Some wore chain mail. Knights?