…
The bath in our room is perfection. I feel like I can swim in the wide clawfoot tub.
The many scented soaps and the warm water that pumps straight from the heating well are such pleasures. To top it off, the towels are nice and fluffy. I wrap myself in one before putting on the nightgown I got from the wardrobe in Bernwood. Gadonia is way ahead of any other kingdom when it comes to inventions and convenience.
When I walk into the room neither Thane nor I wanted to share, it hits me that there’s only one bed. I try not to react as I sit on the edge of the mattress to detangle my hair and then braid it into sections.
As I do, I look at the sofa in the corner of the room, where Thane is making it into a bed.
“I’m curious about something,” I say after several minutes tick by.
“Mmm.” Thane glances at me.
“Why didn’t you push back harder about the rooms? You could’ve easily told Algar that you were sharing with him, and it would’ve been final. You know he was joking about Zephra, right?”
“Yeah, I know.”
My heart flutters. “So youwantedto be in this room with me?”
“I agreed to protect you,” he murmurs. “I can’t do that if I’m in another room.”
“You were in another room in Bernwood,” I remind him.
He removes a quilt from the wardrobe. “I put a lock spell around your door.”
“You didwhat?”
“While you slept,” he adds as he spreads the quilt on the sofa. “No one could approach it or come in, but you could leave whenever you wanted. I’d have felt you leaving, though.”
“Thane,” I breathe in disbelief.
Maybe Kelreandidtry to come to my room, after all, but couldn’t get close…because of Thane. For all I know, Kelrean assumed I wanted the spell in place so I wouldn’t be bothered. It should frustrate me that Thane did that…but it ignites something in me instead.
Thane begins to remove his boots.
I hesitate before saying, “You don’t have to sleep there.”
“I figured you’d want space.”
“This bed is huge. And as long as you don’t punch or jab in your sleep, I don’t mind sharing.”
“I may have a habit of throwing an elbow or two in my sleep.”
I pause as I regard him. “I can’t tell if you’re joking…”
He smiles. “I am.”
I laugh. Seriously. I like this side of Thane.
A stretch of silence spreads through the room.
After I’m done with my last braid, I dry my hands off and adjust my nightgown, which seems to be clinging to my curves now. “Well…feel free to climb in.” I place my spectacles on a side table, then lift the cream-colored quilt on the bed.
Thane watches every action, eyes blazing, hardly moving.
When I settle in, I flip onto my right side. At first, the room is quiet and still. Thane hardly moves, and I’m practically holding my breath. My pulse quickens as I wait to see if he’ll take the invitation.
Then I hear rustling.
