“I needed a visual reminder to help me sleep at night—something to give me the motivation to find you again.”
“You have me. There is no need—”
“Silence!”
Gem froze as Cyrus’s command came with a ripple of Mage energy that crackled against her skin.
“You were an insolent boy. Time for all that to change.” Cyrus tossed the garb to Niko’s feet. “Dress.”
Lykos snickered as Niko slowly removed his shirt. Cyrus merely watched, and Arcadius had no interest in any of it. Gem watched in stunned disbelief as Niko gave his freedom to these men.
He could have gone back for the book, but Cyrus wouldn’t have let her go. She already knew firsthand how willing they were to end her life. But why would Niko do this? Was it a trick? Did he have blades hidden beneath his trousers?
The same trousers that quietly dropped to the floor.
Gem had seen Niko’s bare chest on numerous occasions. He was the perfect specimen of the male form, thanks to all the strength training he did in the gym. Sinewy, muscular, and with perfect posture.
His silky long hair draped down his back. Gem had never seen his bare legs, and they were strong, his muscles taut. Her cheeks heated as she admired his bare behind, so perfectly shaped and the same golden hue as the rest of his body.
Cyrus threw back his head and laughed. When her gaze flicked up, she realized that Cyrus had seen her gawking.
“It looks like you have a captive audience, Nikodemos. I think she likes what she sees.”
Niko turned his head toward her, revealing his profile. It felt like a punch to the gut when she saw the shame on his face.
Gem whirled around. Her knees weakened, and she slid down to the floor.
“No use hiding, girl.” Cyrus gave a throaty chuckle. “You’ve gotten more than an eyeful.”
After a deep breath, she mustered the courage to stand up and confront him. Gem marched into the room, ready to start a war, but her plan backfired when she caught sight of Niko in his new attire. He might as well have been wearing a potato sack. His tan pants were tattered and frayed at the ankle, and when he turned in her direction, he resembled an impoverished commoner. His bare feet weren’t dirty, but his shirt had stains on the wide sleeves. The tunic reached his knees, and there was nothing embellished about it.
“You like?” Cyrus asked. “I bought it off the black market. Genuine slave attire. Not the kind we wore in our time, but fitting nonetheless. There are still bloodstains if you look closely.”
Gem seethed. “If his clothes didn’t last through the centuries, what makes you think he saved a book?”
Cyrus grinned. “Because he’s here.”
“Are you hurt?” Niko asked, ignoring Cyrus’s snide remarks.
Gem steeled her voice. “I’m fine.”
He tilted his head and studied her light. “Did they hurt you?”
Her energy must have revealed something, because his expression tightened.
Cyrus scoffed. “Cast your worries aside, Nikodemos. You’ll find her unsullied. I have never and will never bed a white woman. Especially one so ugly.”
Gem steadied her emotions to put Niko at ease. “I’m not hurt.”
Cyrus’s grin vanished. “Niko, fetch me a glass of water.”
Niko’s height shrank when his shoulders sagged. “I’m not familiar with your home.”
“Then learn!”
Lykos strode up and shoved Niko. “I also want a glass.”
“Me too,” Arcadius said, finally looking up.
