“Oh… you trying to get rid of me?” he teases as he pulls a wooden chair close to the bathtub and crosses his arms over the back of the chair, resting his chin against it. His playful eyes dart from my eyes down to the bubbles.
“My body isn't meant for your eyes,” I scoff, raising an eyebrow. “And it never will be, so you can get rid of any ideas you have right now.”
He bites his bottom lip, his scar becoming more noticeable. “I’m a gentleman, you forget that.”
I scuff, letting out a loud exhale as my eyes widen in disbelief. “You?A gentleman? What Koen have I been with this whole trip?”
“I gave you a gift back at the Ice Nation?” His lip tugs into a playful grin, his brow lifting as he waits for my response.
“You also hit me over the head with a broken branch,kidnapped me, and threw me in a damn dungeon with dragon shifters that could kill me.” My eyes narrow. “Such agentleman.”
He lets out a gasp as if my words have daggered at his heart, placing a hand right over his chest. “Alright. I’ll make it up to you.”
I slide up just a little and raise my brows. “Now you have my attention.”
“Tell me, who are you searching for? Why did you panic when the Queen mentioned the woman with ice hair?”
My eyes glance over to the towel hung in the corner by the arched window, the light creating soft shadows that dance across the stone wall. “Hand me the towel, and turn around.”
He lifts his hand up to his forehead, giving me a sarcastic salute before standing. “Yes,my lady.”
“Stop it.” I splash water out on him as he tiptoes backwards, avoiding being soaked with soapy water.
“You're right.” His eyes widen as he walks around the wet puddle on the cobblestone floor. “I meant, my littleSpark.” He winks as he grabs the towel, holding it out for me to grab it with a grin that brightens his eyes.
He thinks he is soirresistible. I find himmaddening.
“I despise that name.” I snatch the towel from his grasp with a fluid motion, standing up to wrap it securely around my damp body. “And you know that.”
Water cascades down my legs and neck, catching the light from the setting sun outside as they trickle along my skin. I watch his gaze follow the path of each droplet, entranced as they slip off my body.
“Now turn around,” I command, gesturing with a firm wave of my hand.
He crosses his arms, his sleeves sliding up, and I notice the markings along his arm as he turns around, staring at the blank wall ahead of him. I slip out, tiptoeing as water falls from my body, and swiftly begin to put on the suit. It's spotless now since the women cleaned off the mud from the leather.
“How did you not burn?” he mutters out. “I’ve never seen that happen.”
“I’m not sure, I only felt heat radiating through my boots but nothing else.” I sigh. “Enough about me, you promised you’dmake this up to me, and I have a question before I tell you anything more.”
“I’m all ears.”
As I yank my pants up, I look over my shoulder, making sure he isn’t peeking. “What are the markings?”
“You noticed them?” He starts to turn his body.
“I’m not dressed!”
He lifts up his arms, turning his body back. “Okay. Okay.” He deeply chuckles. “Soaggressive.”
“Tell me what the markings are, and I’ll tell you who I am searching for.” I clasp my suit diagonally, buttoning them up with ease before turning around to face him. I grab his chair with my foot, letting it drag along the floor as it scratches against the stone, and begin to braid my damp hair.
He turns, his eyes tracing my body before I sit to lace my boots.
“Go on,” I urge him.
His emerald eyes gleam with a mischievous spark, rolling slightly as a frustrating grin spreads across his face. Slowly, he begins to roll up his sleeve, revealing burnt markings etched into his skin, patterns that seemed to have been singed by fire itself. The intricate designs are similar to those of the Queen. Lines that stretch far and circles that make a unique pattern, as if they are a story. My back arches upright as I glare at the markings that wrap around his arm. I stand and walk towards him, the water beneath my boots splashing with each step.
My hands hover over his arm, but no heat radiates from him. One symbol seems as if it's only days old.
