Steam still clung to his skin, like he’d been dipped in starfire. A droplet of water trickled through the hollow of his throat, disappearing into the dark hair scattered across his chest. My mouth went dry watching its path, though I inanely noted that his wounds were healing nicely.
Because I’d treated them. Me.
The towel rode criminally low on his hips, revealing the sharp cut of muscles that disappeared beneath the cloth. One wrong move, one tug, and… I forced my gaze back to his face, only to find him watching me with predatory satisfaction.
“See something you like, Minx?” His hand snapped around my throat, holding me in place, though not so tightly that I couldn’t breathe.
I shook my head. “I told you not to call me that.”
“I think it fits. They’re territorial and a surprisingly tenacious predator. A minx may not look like much of a fighter, but a minx can eliminate prey almost as big as itself. Large predators need to beware before approaching this testy animal.”
“I’m not testy.”
“No?” His lips twisted up on one side, and he leaned close, dragging his nose along the crest of my jaw to my earlobe that he nibbled. “You really shouldn’t have come here tonight, Minx. I’m…sleepy. One might even consider me vulnerable.”
I reeled back, meeting his gaze. “Tell me about Addie.”
He blinked and focused his attention on my mouth. Releasing my throat, he ran his thumb across my lips. Back and forth. Back and forth.
I hated that he could heat me up with such a simple gesture.
“Why do you want to know anything about Addie?” He seemed to taste the name.
“Tell me everything. When she came here. Why she stayed.”
While he kept stroking my lips, he cocked one brow. “Are you a friend?”
“You could say that.”
“I see.” His fingertips trailed down my neck, and he started stroking my collarbone, gliding his thumb beneath my tunic before sliding it back out, only to dip it down between my breasts. “Pretty woman. Petite. Dark curly hair. Slender frame. Smart. She laughs a lot.”
Laugheda lot, that is.
Tears prickled behind my eyes. “Tell me you didn’t kill her.”
His gaze widened with shock, real or pretend. I couldn’t tell. “I didnotkill Addie.”
“You could be saying that. Placating me.”
“What makes you believe she’s dead?”
“I saw her body.” My own slumped. If he wasn’t pressed tight against me, I’d slump down the wall to the floor. “Torn apart. Bloody. Her hair…” My voice broke. “Her hair tangled and matted with blood.”
“And you believe I did this?”
“Someone did.”
“Tell me, Amarissa, why you believe I killed her.”
Amarissa…
I couldn’t think. Couldn’t breathe.
“I’m Isi,” I shot out.
He took one step back. Bowed. “Welcome to Syllavar Court, Princess Amarissa.”
“How long have you known?”
