“There’s no need for propriety. Fae don’t hold the same societal expectations around pre-marital affairs. If the two of you wish to share a bed for the night, there will be no judgment.”
Sera’s jaw opened, but she said nothing as indignation and shock froze her tongue. Was he… being an ass on purpose?
“Unless I have misread the situation,” he added, waiting for her to respond. Sera nearly stomped on Seth’s foot when giggles erupted behind her.
She finally sighed. “Can we just have the other room, please?”
Kieran took a step backward and pushed open a door directly next to the first. “Here you are.”
Inside, a fire crackled in a stone hearth and the warmth from the room wafted to greet them as they entered.
Seth pushed through her. “Oh, thank gods.”
He bolted for the flame and, for a half a heartbeat, Sera worried he’d jump in. Instead he teetered to the side—his cocoon of coats hindering the movement of his limbs—and let the fire warm his cheeks.
Her annoyance began to wane as she considered the gesture of a waiting fire. She imagined Winter Fae didn’t have much use for a fireplace. The construction of these were likely why the room was for guests that required heat. She shifted awkwardly, rubbing the sleeve of his coat and trying not to stare at how his chest filled out the cotton shirt and vest without it. Though every button was closed up to his neck, there was something intimate about seeing him without his coat.
“Thank you,” she started, drawing his sharp stare. “For the fire. You must have had someone send word ahead.”
He nodded.
“That was considerate.”
“It was the least I could do. Your friend would have quite the miserable time otherwise. I will see that some sun ferns are brought in from the Summer Court, as well as lava stones. Combined, they should make this room a more comfortable temperature. Smaller stones will aide him if he chooses to leave the room.”
She raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms, leaning into the door frame. “So, we’re free to leave?”
“You’re free to do whatever you wish. I merely offered my home as a refuge because…” He closed his eyes and there it was again, guilt. Did he really hold himself responsible for Cole’s crimes? That was a heavy weight to carry, shouldering the wrongs of others. How tiring. “Well, we will have to see what to do about Hawthorne. I wanted to wait until we were alone, but you should know that Cole’s threat is lingering.” North nodded toward her shoulder. “You’re still marked.”
Sera’s hand followed his gaze, rubbing her shoulder. “What does that mean?”
“It means that you should be careful. But I will keep an eye on it. Should it develop or form into a solid shape, that is when there is cause for alarm.”
She began to thread her fingers through her hair, combing the ends with repeated motions.
His eyes dropped to her hands, then back to her face. “As long as you allow me, I mean to protect you and your friend. You have no need to be nervous.”
She laughed, but it was brittle. “Yeah, sure. I’ve heard that before.”
He closed his eyes, briefly, though no other sign of emotion slipped through the cracks. “Yes. Well. Trust is earned, I suppose.”
“Let’s just say no one has earned mine yet,” she said, huffing as she threw her hair back over her shoulder before looking up. The shift in his cold gaze made her draw back. Sera could not identify the expression that she could only describe as exposing.
“I’ll leave you to settle in. If you’ll excuse me, Miss—” Sera narrowed her eyes in admonition, and he cleared his throat. “If you’ll excuse me, Seraphina.”
All the breath left her lungs as he gave her a quick bow of his head and disappeared. Maybe it was better if she let him call her Miss Blair. He was obviously incapable of the simple two syllables of ‘ser-uh’ and the way his tongue caressed the flowing cadence of her full name felt like a caress againsther.
Sera shut the door and locked it. She spun so her back pressed into the solid wood and a wistful sigh slipped from her lips now that she was free of his scrutiny.
He hadn’t taken his coat.
She lifted the lapel and inhaled. This room was already leagues above the nicer suites that Hawthorne had given her back whenhe was trying. It was larger than her entire apartment and everything was intact. There were proper, thick carpets over the cold floorboards. Two inviting beds. A large window with heavy drapes.
Sera walked to the bed she had mentally claimed. She ran her fingers over the sheets. Aside from the lingering chill, they were butter soft. She spread out her arms, feeling the bounce of the mattress. Then she leapt into pure, cushiony heaven.
“Oh my gods, Seth. You have to try the beds.”
“I’m not moving. Possibly ever again,” he murmured.
