“We had a rough sparring with Deidre once,” he told me, eyes boring into mine.Maybe he wanted me to see he was completely honest.“In her case, it was just her warrior’s pride that was injured.I had trouble relieving myself for a week.”
I bit my lip to stifle a smile.Deidre clearly played with fire on a regular basis.
“That’s why Deidre mentioned the sparring dress.She hopes we will settle this the usual way, like warriors.But this is not about her violating my sacred space anymore.The Queen wants Deidre taught a lesson that she will not forget, and I have to give my sister something.”
That didn’t make me feel better.“What will you do?”When he reached up and barely touched the tip of my curl, realization hit me.“You will cut her hair.”
“You are very perceptive.”His eyes traced the length of that springy curl.He appeared as fascinated by my hair as Deidre was.
As much as I loved his attention, I had to say my piece.“You can’t, Karim.”When he cocked his head, I quickly elaborated.“She told me what significance short hair has in your society–please, don’t cut hers!”
A soft smile lit his face up.“You have the kindest heart, Jasmine.But a haircut is the smallest possible punishment she can get away with.Besides, I won’t cut higher than her shoulders.Her hair grows faster than a pure-blooded elf’s, so Deidre will look as she does now in half a year.”Karim rose gracefully to his feet.“Enough about this topic.Time to see how you walk, Jasmine.”
I exhaled in relief.Deidre would be okay, and Karim would be there for his friend.“Could you offer me a hand, just in case?”I should be able to put weight on my ankle, but worried about thesteps down from the sofa.What if I ended up limping during the hostage exchange and caused trouble?
Karim stayed close but did not touch me.“Worry not.I will catch you, should you lose your footing.Otherwise, I shouldn’t put my hands on you.My control is hanging by a thread right now.”
“Oh.”The tips of my ears burned.No man had ever desired me to the point where a single touch could undo him.This was crazy.We’d met only yesterday.
But there was nothing normal about the world I found myself in at present, was there?All preconceptions should be left at the door.Er, the cave entrance.
“Here goes nothing.”I pushed myself up.“Hm…”
“How do you feel?”
I tried putting all my weight on the injured foot for a moment.“No pain, just minor discomfort,” I said with relief.The local healing plants were truly magical.
“That’s very good.Now walk around a bit.”
After a careful descent down the steps and several cautious moves toward the exit, I saw Karim’s gaze brighten with satisfaction.“Maravine.Perfect.You just have to walk on your own to the surface.Then I’ll find you a comfortable place to rest during the negotiations.”He gestured for me to return to him.“This way.”
More confident in my steps now, I followed him toward the inner door, enjoying the soft feel of the grass under both my feet.It was great to be able to walk on my own again.Not that I minded being carried by Karim.“Are we going to the kitchen?”
“You’re hungry?I will fix you something fast, then.You can eat beside me while I bathe.”
I nearly tripped over my own feet.He wanted me to watch him bathe?
Karim chuckled, the rare sound sliding along my skin like a sensual caress.“You’re blushing again, my flower.Worry not, I shall not give in to temptation in the bathing chamber.We will not rushthings.”
A shy smile came over me.My flower?Where had that come from?Was it a typical endearment in Elvish?In any case, I liked it.A lot.
As forrushingthings, did he feel I was both excited and nervous about taking whatever this was between us to the next level?Iwaseasy to read, not an expert in hiding my emotions like he was.Or did he mean he wanted to take his time with me because, as Deidre had warned me, elves were rough in the bedroom and I needed serious prepping?
Ugh.Enough overthinking every word.I should focus on the present, as Karim himself had suggested.Sitting down on the moss-covered stone bench in the bathing chamber, I shivered in anticipation of Karim’s return from the kitchen.That he chose to share with me something so personal as bathing made my heart flutter.The softened glow of the chamber’s wall crystals further deepened the intimacy of the moment.
Karim didn’t keep me waiting for long.He came in through the leafy door with a bowl of nuts and neatly cut raw vegetables in one hand, the typical meal for the vegan elves.A tiny gold box rested in his other hand.Draped over his forearm was a dress the same deep-blue color as the Queen’s.He handed me the food and placed the other items on the bench.
“Is this the clothing of a king?”I asked while he arranged the delicate fabric next to me.
“If worn with a crown, yes.As it is, the dress is fit for a prince.”He stepped back and returned his gaze to me.“I’d prefer to match your formal attire, but our guests will feel calmer when they see the Prince, and not just an aristocrat, serving as hostage.”
I greedily followed his every move as he headed for the pool, nestled in the cave’s stone floor.“Should we expect trouble, if the gargoyles are not pleased with us as hostages?”
“All should be fine, as long as my sister follows my instructions.”Removing his belt, Karim said firmly, “Should anything go wrong, Iwillget you to safety, if it’s the last thing I do.”
With those words, he lifted his dress over his head, his back still turned to me.Somehow, in one single move, he got both the dress and his hair out of the way.Leaving me to drink in the sculpted beauty of his bare skin.
– 22 –
