Tensing, I felt my breasts brush his chest, my knee graze his leg. His body heat radiated over me like a furnace, and the hairs on my neck stood on end.
Ignoring his own command to remain silent, Seth leaned forward. “Did you and El work things out?”
He reached past me, pressing his hand against the wall by my shoulder. Trying to ignore that, I stared at his collarbone. “No.”
“Did you not talk?”
“We did. But I haven’t convinced him to tell me the truth.” I looked up at him. “Why? Did he talk to you about it?”
“Rather freely, yes.”
“What did he say?”
“That he’s torn apart by guilt for hurting you.”
I pursed my lips, finding his red eyes in the dark. “It feels like you want us to end up together.”
“I do,” Seth said quietly. “It would make everything easier if you were taken.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“No romantic falls in love with a woman they know is married.”
I furrowed my brow, trying to read his expression. Hadn’t he claimed romance was for fools? Now, he professed himself a romantic?
“Sh.” Seth hissed. “Listen.”
Falling silent, I pressed my head against the wall, uncomfortably aware of his body across from mine.
From here, I could barely make out what was being said at the door. I heard a familiar, harsh voice, but his words were mere murmurs. Seth sucked in a breath.
“Percy’s father.” He murmured.
They’d already found us? I tensed, listening, but Phaedrus’ tone was even and calm. The heavy thud of armored boots didn’t race down the hall toward us. Perhaps they intended to warn the city lord and request permission to disseminate orders to the local guard.
Leaning toward the door, I strained to make out the words. My head brushed Seth’s chest, and he shifted closer to me, laying a hand on my back.
Seraphim’s words returned to me. Seth was attractive, and I liked him. His lingering gazes shattered any doubt that the attraction was mutual. But did I want this?
Eleos insisted we couldn’t be together, and the heartbreak from his refusal still throbbed in my chest.
But last night. . .
I’d wanted nothing more than for Seth to kiss me.
He turned his head, chin brushing the top of my hair. “You really do look beautiful in that dress.”
“. . . Seth?”
“Yes?”
“You’re confusing.”
He sighed. “I know.”
A door slammed in the distance, and a single pair of footsteps returned. Feeling for the doorknob, I hurried outside.
Lord Phaedrus strolled back into the dining hall, running a hand through his fiery locks. “The hounds are on your tail.” He placed a hand on his hip, eyes falling on me. “They seek a band of thieves who’ve stolen away the Bloodstone. I doubt they’d imagine finding you here.”
