“Really. I’ve never sparred with her in my life. Not until today.”
Arisanna smiles down at him, and his breath catches at the sight.
“No wonder Tharios was so intrigued when he sensed your magic together here,” she says. “He helped me find you after he discovered me roaming the corridor looking for you.”
“You were looking for me?”
She nods. “Though I didn’t get far before he found me.”
“And where did you find this dress? It’s beautiful on you.” The words fly from his lips before he realizes his mouth has taken on a mind of its own. Heat creeps up his neck, and her eyes grow round alongside his as her own face flushes.
“I...you...thank you.”
He clears his throat as he looks away.
Then she leans close, and his pulse quickens. He’s still lying on the ground. Why is he still lying on the ground? And what is she doing? Her warm breath caresses his ear, and he bites back a moan at the sensation.
“I think…” she whispers, “I think it’s magic.”
I Think It’s Magic
Episode 31
ArisannaleansnearCerian’spointed ear, though why she needs to is a mystery since they appear to have the practice arena all to themselves. It just seems like the sort of thing one whispers, so she does. “I think...I think it’s magic.”
“What’s magic?” His eyes are closed, and his voice is breathy.
Arisanna studies him in confusion. What did she do to him? And why does he smell so sweet? Almost like—she sniffs him again—juicy ripe strawberries. He did just eat a bunch of berries, but it’s not coming from his mouth. At least, not only his mouth. It’s as if the fruity scent is seeping from his pores.
She leans closer to get another whiff. His eyes snap open as she hovers over him, trying to take in more of that sweet scent emanating from his skin.
“What are you doing?” He stares up at her with that furrowed brow he’s mastered so well, and she freezes.
Every made-up explanation she considers telling him sticks in her throat until she gives up and tells him the truth. “I was smelling you.”
“You...what?”
She hurries to put some space between them. “You smell really good. Like fresh—”
“Berries,” he finishes for her. “It’s my plant magic.”
Magic. They were talking about magic.
He smells like that after using his plant magic? Stars above. It’s delightful. She sways toward him again before returning to her senses. She can’t just curl up beside him and bury her face in his neck and drink him in.
Can she?
Of course not. That would be...extraordinary. She shakes her head. Extraordinarily inappropriate.
Does he taste like berries, too?
Her eyes grow wide as she tries to pretend she didn’t just ask herself that.
At least she didn’t ask him. Good heavens.
She pushes against the startling urge to flee whatever he’s doing to her by lying there looking so absolutely perfect while he smells so good.
She’d probably trip over her magic skirt if she ran.
