He was reaching for a candle when candlelight strode into the room all on its own.
Milonia’s hair cascaded in loose waves, framing her face in a way that accentuated her deep, expressive eyes. Her skin glowed in the candlelight, but it was her deep crimson chiton that made Dimitrios struggle to swallow.The sleeveless, flowing garment was cinched at her slim waist by a gold-braided belt, and the edges were embroidered with gold thread. A thin himation in a contrasting deep black was wrapped over her shoulders.
Her dark gaze skipped about the study. “I take it you’re just starting in on this room.”
“I’m sorry?” He straightened from where he’d been bent over a table, an unlit candle in hand.
A smile touched her lips as she sauntered toward him. “You’ve been upending rooms all day, Your Majesty. Is there something I can help you find?” She set her light to his cold wick until a second flame sparked. Her dark, golden eyes flicked up to his. “It may alleviate some of the work these poor girls have been cleaning in your wake.”
Dimitrios sucked in a breath and, with it, the gentle notes of sandalwood and lilacs. “I’m just…looking.”
He felt no better than a child caught snooping, regardless of the bravado with which he started this day.
Milonia turned with her candle, making a slow sweep of the space. “This was the High Chancellor’s study.”
“Yes.”
“He was very particular about who was allowed in this room.” She met his eyes. “I suspect he had his reasons.”
“Indeed.”
“You should find out what those are.”
“I agree.”
“And”—she tore her gaze from his—“if it pleases His Majesty, I’ll start a fire. There’s a chill in the air tonight.”
Dimitrios could only nod, and she knelt before the fireplace. In another life, he might have been the sort of man who went up behind her and ran his fingertips along the back of her long neck. She might shiver under his touch, and he might like that.
“This palace is full of secrets.” She sat back on her heels and glanced over her shoulder. “Did you know there are secret passages underneath?”
Selene had lived in the palace her entire life. Had access to every room. Knew the best places to stand and listen without notice. And yetshehadn’t known about the passages until her escape nearly a year ago.
“I used them the night I announced myself to the Council.” Dimitriosscanned a series of book spines on a dusty shelf. “How did you learn of them?”
Milonia held fire to a collection of logs and kindling. “Praevia is full of mysteries. For example, the colosseum has several hidden passages, including an underground tunnel that leads all the way to the sea.”
He arched a brow. “Secret tunnels, hidden passages…” Selene had walked him by the colosseum and said nothing about tunnels. “That’s…rare knowledge.”
“Rare, but not secret. You only have to know where to look.” She peered over her shoulder and winked. “I’d suggest starting in your own library.”
He made a mental note to do just that.
The fire ignited, and Milonia rose.
He knew what came next. She would ask if he needed anything else. He would say no. She would leave with instructions to find her with anything further. He would spend the next few hours thinking of her smooth length of neck and how she had an unnatural confidence to hold his stare and say words she shouldn’t.
Except, she did none of that, and upended his expectations entirely.
Milonia strode up to his side and swiped a finger through the shelf dust while assaulting him once again with her gentle scent. “How was your latest visit with your grandfather?”
“Frustrating.”
“How so?”
Dimitrios retreated to the desk crafted from rich, dark wood. “He doesn’t trust me.”
“He doesn’t know you.”
