Your scent speaks louder to me than anything ever has.
“...Have you ever heard of the Rhavari?”
Her brows knit together. “Like the folklore thing? Monsters in the woods?”
I nod. Technically, it’s not a lie. I am a monster in the woods.
“Everyone says we’re monsters,” I continue. “Born from winter storms with ice running through our veins?—”
“Is that what you are? A Rhavari?”
“I am. But don’t believe all the rumors. Most of them are made up, like?—”
“Krampus?” she shouts excitedly.
“Do you think Krampus is made up?” I force back a smile.
Her eyes widen. “Shut up. You’re totally pulling my leg.”
“I’m doing no such thing. Krampus is real. He’s been in my forest.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“I can show you sometime.”
“I’ll take a rain check, but I appreciate the offer.”
She drops my hand and walks toward the hearth. Her scent lingers in the air, curling into my throat.
“Do you have a shower here?” She asks.
I stiffen.
The thought of her in my shower… naked, with hot water sliding down her skin?—
“I do,” I manage. “I should have offered when you woke up, but there were other things on my mind.”
She smirks, and my brain stutters.
You are an ancient beast made of cold and restraint, I remind myself. The restraint doesn’t last long. I think about fog clinging to the shower doors. Her naked body just on the other side. Stepping in behind her and?—
Nai’thar veskae.Stop thinking like that.
“Other things, huh?” her voice rings out.
My voice comes out raw. “You should shower. There are fresh towels under the sink. I’ll wait out here for you.”
“I don’t even know where the shower is,” she laughs.
Right. How would she?
“Let me show you,” I murmur. “This storm's a bad one; you’ll probably have to stay a few days.At least.”
I lead her down the hall, careful not to let my hand brush hers. The massive cabin feels claustrophobic with everything I’m holding back.
“It’s just in here.” I push the bathroom door open. “There’s soap in the shower; I hope you like cloves.”
I start to back away.
