Baring my teeth to ward off the poisonous ache, I took the lead. Picked the same bathing pool we’d fallen into however many days prior, for I would not be ruled by ghosts. No, I’d wash the muck and grime away, and start tomorrow fresh.
The captain closed the door behind us with a gentlesnick, unbuttoning his shirt.
“What are you doing?”
He paused in the middle of shrugging out of the garment, giving me a look. “Cooking dinner.”
Hugging the underthings he’d given me, I stepped back, watching his pectorals flex and shift as each slow inch was bared. The pendant bounced, drawing my eye first to the familiar glint of Glaith, then… beyond. Bronzed skin. Corded, work-hardened muscle, tapering into a narrow waist. “Why”—I swallowed, glancing at the only exit—“why areyouundressing?”
Inky eyes went to the bathing pool at my back, then returned to my face, shirt fluttering to the damp floor. “Youdounderstand the point of this building, yes?”
“You’re not serious?” I breathed, heels bumping the tiled pool wall. “I’m not getting into that water withyou.”
“Oh?” He flicked his belt buckle.
Sweat dampened my scalp. “Wait.Wait.Y-You can’t—Ican’t.” I shook my head, following his fingers as he shoved his slacks past his hips, letting them fall to the floor.
The buckle clinked against the tile. “What’s the problem, Miss Tannovic? My little warrior Priestess isn’t…” he trailed off, eyes sparkling as he stepped clear of his pants, that maddening hint of intoxication still clinging to his every movement. “She can’t be…” Wearing nothing but the pendant and a tight pair of undershorts, he took slow, measured steps toward me. “She can’t be…afraid… can she?”
My breath caught. Cornered. He had me cornered.Again. With nowhere to go, I half sat, bottom resting on the lip of the bath as he closed the distance. Looming over me. Unable to speak for desert winds ravaging my throat, I clutched my undergarments close to my chest as if the flimsy fabric could offer a measure of protection.
“You know,” he said, giving said pathetic shield a gentle, half-hearted tug, “seems a shame to put these on just to bathe in them. Perhaps I should order you to go without—”
“You—” My voice cracked and, cheeks searing hot, I cleared my throat, forcing, “You can try,” through clenched teeth.
“Careful, Miss Tannovic.” He smirked, head tilted to the side. “You tempt me.”
Just days ago, such a warning would have been his death knell. Now? I heeded it. Going still.
“Good girl.” Wickedness played on his lips. “Come on, then. Let’s get your underthings on.”
Planting my scarred right palm on his naked chest, just above the pendant, I shoved him back. The contact sent ki zipping through my forearm, but I ignored it through sheer force of will. “I’m quite sure I can dress myself, Captain Rawlings.”
He shrugged, retreating the gracious distance of a single, tiny step. Arms crossed over muscular chest, he toyed with the pendant. Inky gaze caressing my flesh. Waiting.
“Do you mind?”
“Not at all.”
“Look away,” I hissed, trying to slide around him.
He blocked me. “And give you the chance to flee? I don’t think so. Though, I’ll admit, the prospect of hunting you down yet again does have a certain… twisted… appeal.”
Flashing my teeth to hide the tremor rippling through my muscles, I set my attention to the little ball of silk, attempting to turn it into undergarments. He was enjoying this, my Elite parasite. I could feel his amusement thick in the air, whispering of dark thrills and sadistic pleasure through the bond.
Cursing, I dropped what must pass for Caledonian panties on the floor and stepped into the leg holes. Inching them over mud-spattered thighs beneath my dress was slow going, but there was nothing for it. Not if I wanted to preserve my dignity from those hated, obsidian eyes. “What do you expect me to do withthis?”I thrust the remaining bit of fabric in his face, materialjustwide enough to cover my breasts.
“Wear it as a headband.”
I blinked.
“Turn around,” he said, and plucked the scrap from my fingers.
“I—”
“Don’t argue just for the sake of it, Miss Tannovic.” He smirked. “I could always make you go without—”
“And I could always have a little conversation with your precious general—”
