His tone had changed. Glancing over at him, I noticed the faint amusement was completely gone from his stare.
“There are no expectations, Poppy.”
My breath stalled in my throat.
He rested an arm on the wide ledge of the tub. “I know the Joining was…intense.”
Intensewas one word to describe what had happened along the banks of the River Rhain.
I wondered if I would get to meet the god.
And why, in all the realms, was I thinking about that now?
“And we haven’t had a chance to talk about it,” he continued, jerking my focus back to him. “And what it means.”
I wasn’t sure I wanted to be having this conversation in my current situation, but I heard myself asking, “What does it mean?”
His gaze didn’t stray from mine as he said, “A bond comes with a Joining. A deep connection between those who partake in the act. It’s intense.”
I nodded. “I…I know.”
“It’s hard for there not to be with that level of intimacy—one where our hearts move in the same beat, and we can more easily feel what the other is experiencing.”
Wait. Did that mean—?
“And just like with the act of a Joining, that can get…intense.”
“You need to find another word,” I muttered. “Like overwhelming or profound. Powerful. Maybe fierce.”
A corner of his lips twitched. “And it can,” he said, pausing, “intensify—”
I sighed.
“What one feels, be it emotional or physical.” Kieran leaned forward, his gaze remaining on mine. “But that doesn’t mean there are expectations.” He searched my face. “Understand?”
Swallowing, I nodded.
Kieran held my gaze for another moment. “Good.” He rose and laid the towel on the tub edge. “I’ll find you something to wear since I don’t think we should have you attempt summoning an item of clothing from another room.”
“Wise call,” I murmured.
As Kieran disappeared behind the privacy screen, I faced forward. I hadn’t expected that conversation, but it had been necessary.
No expectations.
That was…good, especially since I had no ideawhatI expected.
“Poppy.”
I squeaked and jerked up, swinging my head to the side.
Kieran stood there, a shirt in hand. “Are you getting out of the tub?”
“Yes.”
He pinned me with his typical bland look, and then his gaze dropped. Muttering under his breath, he dropped the clothing on the stool and pivoted. “I’ll be waiting.”
Dragging my gaze from the shirt, I looked down. My chest was entirely above the water.
