“That’s enough, Ilyas,” Lex admonished lightly as he stepped out of the attached bathroom. If I thought my mouth was dry before, it now resembled the desert surrounding the Stepstones.
Unlike my underwear, which was slowly soaking with arousal.
Damn my physical reactions.
I was hoping to spend time with Lex and Ilyas today in a concentrated effort to know them beyond what this pulsing in my chest desired.
It seemed like that may have been a fool’s hope.
Lex was dressed similarly to Ilyas, his cream tunic untucked and unlaced over brown pants that were unfastened.
My eyes widened as I tracked Lex’s movements; his strong hands moved to his waist and tucked his tunic into his pants before lacing them up, either oblivious to my presence or uncaring.
“What did you have in mind, Folami? We would love to spend time with you,” Lex said earnestly. My eyes flicked to his, all previous thoughts of fleeing banished when I saw the unabashed hope shining in his fawn-brown orbs.
There were no foul intentions, no underlying motives, at least that I could detect.
He simply enjoyed my company.
The thought made me both uncomfortable and giddy.
“I don’t do much for fun,” I admitted bluntly, frustrated that I couldn’t soften my words. I’d never been worried about the way I spoke, but I found I now desired to be something someone else desired.
The thought was nearly gag-inducing.
“That’s okay,” Lex said with smooth ease. “I’m certain we can find something to do around here. What do you say, Ilyas?”
The big man shrugged, his shirt now laced but still untucked.
A silent conversation passed between the two of them, and I longed to be a part of it, to be able to decipher the minute eyebrow movements and twitches of their facial expressions.
“Why don’t you show us what makes you happiest, Folami?” Lex finally suggested.
I sighed in relief, the sound audible in the quiet bedroom.
The two men chuckled as my cheeks heated to levels I didn’t think possible.
“Is spending time with us outside of trainingthatdaunting a task?” Ilyas teased, my heart fluttering as his deep chuckle rolled through the space.
I shook my head mutely, beads tinkling with the movement.
“No,” I admitted. “I just didn’t want either of you to think me boring if I suggested the training yards. It’s . . . all I’ve known for quite some time.”
Mage and Vessel shared another unreadable look before Lex turned to me with a brilliant smile that I found myself wanting to return, despite the fact that Ididn’tsmile.
“Lead the way, Folami.”
I tookLex and Ilyas on a tour of Imena and the training yards that were just outside the Capitol. They asked questions at the appropriate times and seemed genuinely interested in my work, in me. I found myself flustered on more than one occasion when I caught Lex staring at me with an intensity I couldn’t articulate.
Despite the foreignness, it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was like he could sense my unease, though, as he pulled away at the last second each time with a small smile.
The love and respect between Ilyas and Lex was palpable. They held hands nearly the entire morning and exchanged small touches that spoke of their comfort and devotion. A quick kiss here, a gentle rub of Lex’s shoulders there. It was simultaneously bizarre and comforting to see a Mage and Vessel interacting in such a way.
As if that wasn’t enough to show Lex’s true disposition, his constant desire to hear Ilyas’ thoughts and opinions only further displayed his loyalty and love. There was no animosity when Ilyas spoke, no cutting glares or harsh words of rebuke. Simply soft eyes and even softer smiles for the large Pleasure Vessel.
It was clear, now more than ever, that Lex was nothing like the Mage that once held my Bond Mark.
Instead of reassuring me, it only tied my chest into tighter knots until I could barely breathe.
