She resolved to entreat Moira to help her spread the word that the castle was open to see the sick from the surrounding villages.
If he does not wish this contagion to spread to the castle, then surely he will let me go to them as opposed to them coming here.
She smiled to herself, very happy to have come up with a plan.
“That is truly a mischievous smile. Dare I ask what ye’re thinking of?”
She started at Kayden’s voice. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment that he’d caught her out in such a way. Flustered, all she could do was stutter.
“It—it was not…” she trailed off, avoiding his eyes.
He laughed softly. “Daenae worry. I willnae make ye tell me. I am sure it isnae to me benefit.”
He huffed softly before squatting next to her, his shirt brushing against her arm, and pulled out a bunch of rosemary. She paused, watching him in surprise, her treacherous heart speeding up.
He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Am I nae picking the right herbs?”
“Oh, no. Er, I mean yes, you are.” She dipped her head to hide her flaming cheeks, her fingers trembling slightly as she resumed picking herbs.
They worked side by side quietly for a while, the silence between them thick with tension. Lilliana kept stealing glances at him, uncertain as to why he was there. She opened her mouth a few times to ask him, but then closed it again.
Suddenly, his arm stretched out in front of her, and he reached for an immature thistle shrub, ready to pull it out. Without thinking, she stretched her hand out to stop him. It landed atop his own, and they both froze.
Lilliana was sure she was not the only one who felt the frissons traveling from where the tips of her fingers touched him, spreading like wildfire to every nook and cranny of her being.
She felt alight just from that simple touch, and judging from how his skin trembled beneath her fingers, he felt it too. He turned his head slowly to look at her, and she swallowed thickly.
“Y-You should not pick that one. It is not ready yet,” she breathed.
She was not sure he heard her. His eyes were on her mouth for sure, his pupils dilated, confusing her even more.
He did not say a word, but slowly, his hand moved away from the shrub. She snatched her own hand away, breathing way too hard. She could only hope he did not notice.
He moved on to other plants, his enormous beast of a dog lounging close by, tongue lolling as he stared happily at them.
She reached out, scratching Rua under his chin, and his eyes slitted in pleasure.
Would I react the same if Kayden cupped my chin or caressed my cheek?
Doing her best to push those thoughts away, she resumed collecting herbs. A tickling sensation on her face caused her to reach up and rub at her forehead. Kayden looked at her and then reached out, his thumb brushing her face.
She froze, holding her breath as his warm hand trailed down her forehead to her cheek. Their gazes caught and held, his fingers lingering on her skin.
Her mind inevitably flashed to the kiss they had shared and the resulting angst that had her in bed for two days. She leapt to her feet, doing her best to pull herself together.
“This… this is inappropriate,” she breathed, looking anywhere but at him.
He rose to his feet as well. “What exactly are ye talking about? Ye had some dirt on yer face. I simply removed it.”
She pursed her lips and nodded, eyes downcast. “Do not be imperceptive. You know what I mean.”
“Do I?” His tone sounded mocking to her sensitive ears.
“Yes, you do! It was your decision to stay away from me. I think we should stick to it. It is much less confusing for us both.”
He snorted derisively. “Do ye think that is what I am doing? Staying away from ye?”
“You tell me.”
