Zahira holds up her hands. “Go. Get that woman off her feet.”
He looks at me, a twinkle in his eye, and jerks his head toward the veranda. “Ladies first.”
21
RAINA
Now I understand why the night air is tinted with such a lovely aroma.
We reach the end of the veranda and climb two flights of stone steps that lead to an iron gate, the source of the scent is clear. Drae is there, standing on the other side, and behind him stands a long arbor lit by hanging torches. They illuminate a gravel path that bisects a grand garden.
The flagstone walkway is lined with winter jasmine, the arbor smothered by woody, twining wisteria vines. There’s even a large bird bath in the center of it all.
But my gaze rests on the towering lighthouse at the garden’s end. Mullioned windows surround the top of the structure beneath the cupola, but they’re dark tonight. It’s the few windows below that are aglow.
Harmon’s son opens the gate. “Welcome home, sir. Father is taking your friends to the main house now. I lit the candles and lamps in the lighthouse for you and the lady and started a fire in the hearth. The loft’s catwalk needs repairs, so I wouldn’t use it until the rusted steel has been replaced. Also, Father, my brother, and I live in the garden house now. Should you need anything, just ring the bell.”
“Good to know. We should be fine, Drae,” Alexus assures him. “Thank you for your help tonight.”
Minutes later, I’m standing in a rather large, round room that couldn’t be more like Alexus Thibault. Where the home decor of the main house was bright and white, soft and neat, this space is filled with an eclectic array of rich wood furniture, the upholstered pieces covered in gray, black, and blue jacquard. Books are everywhere, stacked neatly around the candlelit room, and a display of ancient weapons hangs above the hearth.
There’s no tub on the main floor though, which disappoints me a little. Okay, a lot. I don’t mean to be ungrateful, and I absolutely want to stay with Alexus tonight, but I’m certain I must reek like horse. A thin coating of old sweat, dust, and grime clings to my skin.
“Here, let me.” He takes the food and wine from my hands.
“Do you stay here often?” I sign. Drae called it home after all.
“Not as much as I used to.” Alexus looks around as if to make certain all his things are in their proper places. “When the lighthouse went out of use, and the new one was built further east, Zahira decided this could be an excellent guest house. I came here one summer to help with the renovations and repairs, added the chimney and hearth and garden house, and I took a liking to this place. Zahira dubbed it my second home, and that’s what it’s been for nearly ten years now.” He nods at a stack of mugs on a small table near the hearth. “Grab two of those and let’s go upstairs. I have a surprise.”
I curl a finger through the handles of two mugs and trail behind him up the winding staircase until we reach the loft. Surprised, I pause near a dressing table and floor-length mirror to fully take in the cozy quarters. There’s a wardrobe, two cushioned chairs, and a simple table with an oil lamp in the center. There’s also a small writing desk with everything a writer might need, and a narrow sitting bench made from driftwood. The anchoring piece is a finely carved four-post bed with dark blue linens and white gossamer draped from canopy to floor.
The bed is appealing, especially given the fact that I haven’t slept in one since Winterhold, but it’s the glass door covered by a sheer curtain to my left that draws my eye.
“Catwalk,” Alexus warns as he sets the wine bottle and food on the table and strips off our packs, dumping them on the floor with a thud. “Lovely view out there, but if the walkway is unstable, we’ll be avoiding it during our stay.”
More disappointment strikes. I make a sullen face, envisioning strolling outside to watch the sun rise and wondering what the stars must look like from up here. I realize that might be how this place received its name.
Alexus unbuckles his black jacket, revealing the midnight tunic beneath. He tosses the jacket on a chair, then leans against the bedpost, one hand resting on his hip. Humor dances in his eyes, chased by a naughty glint.
“That pout of yours is adorable. It does things to me you can’t possibly imagine. But it’s unnecessary. The lantern room is above us, and it has a catwalk too. Besides, would you believe that I can do far better than either of those views?”
Stealing a glance at the continuing staircase, I decide that I will most certainly enjoy that view come morning. But for now, I’m more curious about this lure Alexus is so easily baiting me with. I set our mugs beside our dinner and move toward the Witch Collector. He looks so inviting standing there, somehow even more devastatingly handsome when he’s filthy.
“I would believe you capable of nearly anything,” I sign before slipping my arms around his waist.
His grin curls a little at the edges, and he touches my face, the way he always touches it, like it’s made of delicate glass. “That’s what I was hoping you’d say,” he whispers, leaning down to kiss me.
He kisses me slowly, sensually, and I savor every moment pressed against him, folded in his arms. When he pulls away, we breathe each other in like air, like we’ve been holding our breath for the last three weeks.
“Now,” he says, shaking his head as if to clear it. “Back to the surprise I mentioned before you completely distracted me with your mouth.” I smile as he jerks his thumb over his shoulder toward an inconspicuous door I haven’t noticed until this very moment. It’s arched and painted white to match the plastered walls. “Want to see?” he asks.
I nod emphatically.
Smiling, Alexus crosses to the wardrobe and retrieves a stack of clothes and a black silken robe from the cabinet. He lays them out on the bed and says, “For later.”
I find myself reaching for the robe, rubbing the silk between my fingers. It’s his, as are the tunics and all else, and I long to crawl inside each piece.
Alexus pours our wine. After hooking the mugs with his finger, he offers me a piece of bread smeared with goat cheese and gathers our bundled food.
