“I try not to, Lady Aethra.” He reminded me, stepping back. “We were only allowed a moment’s respite. The guards are getting restless.” He touched my wrist. “We should go.”
The moment flew over my head and landed in the dirt behind me, squandered. Nodding my head absently, I followed him down the stone path back to the Temple’s doors. Maybe that hadn’t been the best time, anyway, what with guards staring daggers at our backs.
Lowering my gaze, I returned to the guest quarters I’d been assigned, though perhaps ‘confined to’ was a more apt description. Eleos held the door open for me while the guards took up station on either side of the hall.
I furrowed my brow when Eleos entered and closed the door behind him. “Are you supposed to be in here with me?”
“Yes.” He said, approaching the bed, “I’m to serve you, remember? That includes preparing your chambers and ensuring your comfort.”
Chortling, I followed him to the edge of the bed, watching him fold down the quilt. “So I can ask anything of you?”
He sighed heavily. “Yes. What would you have of me, Lady Aethra?”
Bouncing on my heels, I glanced around the room, thinking. “Can you put a kettle on the stove?”
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” He dutifully grabbed the kettle from the mantle and hung it over the fire. “What did I do to deserve that?”
“Kept secrets from me,” I said, turning. “Can you unbind my hair? It takes forever when I do it myself.”
“Anything for you, Lady Aethra,” he said politely.
Grinning, I exhaled as he gently ran his fingers through my hair, carefully loosening the braids and pulling out their pins. Shivers ran through my spine with every touch.
When my hair fell loose around my shoulders, I spun around, my face a breath from his. “Do you want to stay the night?”
“I wouldn’t be allowed.” He said quietly, glancing at the door.
“Not even for a little while?” I asked, tilting my head up, bringing our lips a whisper apart.
Eleos stiffened and stepped back.
“Sorry,” I blurted out, “I meant to, in the garden. . .”
“Meant to what?”
“I. . .” turning red, I swept my hair behind my ear and looked down. “I’ve never had anyone I could really trust, and you said you’ve been alone, and. . .” Gathering myself, I raised my head. “I want to know you. To trust you. And I figured maybe you wanted it done formally, so. . . I’m trying to court you.”
None of it came out right. As the jumble of words fell from my mouth, Eleos’ smile faded. Casting his eyes away, he said two simple words.
Two words that shattered my heart.
“I’m not.”
Stunned, I froze, staring at the ground as he closed the curtains and placed a hand on the doorknob.
“Do you need anything else, Lady Aethra?” Eleos asked.
“No,” I muttered.
His voice chimed in my thoughts. “Stay awake tonight. I’m going to inform the others.”
Nodding, I kept my gaze on the floor, listening to him exit and walk down the hall. Wringing my hands together, I lifted my head and approached the fire, watching the water in the kettle slowly rise to a boil.
Pouring myself a mug of tea, I sat on the edge of the bed and watched the swirling herbs.
Gods, I felt like anidiot. Pain thrashed in my chest as I choked back the tea.
Why had Eleos been so kind to me? Why had he held me that night if not because. . .
