“The women sometimes heat it in buckets for the children. But we’re a hardy people. The cold doesn’t bother beast fae very much.”
“Yes, I’ve noticed,” I laughed, noting he was still wearing short sleeves although the snow had begun to fall in heavy flakes before we arrived.
“I’ll be right outside if you need anything.” He hurried through the tent flap, leaving me alone.
There was a thick, round candle on a stand at Redvy’s bedside. I lit it on the fire and set it back on the stand, staring at the tub.
Glancing at the door, I began to undress, the weight of this journey and all that we’d seen and done lifting with each layer of clothes. With my cloak, dress, and chemise in a pile, I slid out of my boots and stepped over to the tub.
The beast fae may not need warm water, but I certainly did. Sliding my fingertips along the surface of the water, I summoned my magick. My skin began to glow as it always did when I called my power to the surface. My veins pumping with magick, I whispered to the water, willing it to change for me. To warm up for me.
Within a minute, the water had heated, steam rising from the surface. My skin aglow, the pattern of green and blue markings showing on my arms, legs and breasts, I stepped into the tub.
“Gods above,” I whispered, moaning as I settled in until the water lapped at my chin.
My cold, stiff muscles relaxed, my mind drifting to all that I had seen. The mob in Hellamir; the moon fae witch bound for execution by burning; Lord Gael—my betrothed—calling for hatred and rebellion; Tylok’s body without his head, his family missing, his funeral pyre; and lastly, the deep, profound pleasure in the woods with Redvyr, lord of the beast fae. The one male I should not want and could not have.
Tears slipped down my cheeks. I wiped at my face and slid under the surface, letting the water wash it all away. When I broke the surface and sat upright, combing my slick hair back over my head, a purring growl snapped me out of my thoughts.
Redvyr stood in front of the fire, his arms crossed, watching me. I realized my skin still glowed, and my breasts were exposed, and yet, my old inclination to hide my body didn’t take hold ofme. Rather, I placed my hands on the sides of the tub and sat straighter.
His golden gaze flared with inner fire. “Stand for me, Jessamine. I want to see all of you.”
“I believe that will lead to danger.”
“What kind of danger?” His voice was a dark, velvety caress. My nipples tightened to peaks.
“Me in your bed.”
“Oh, that is undeniable.” He uncrossed his arms and walked toward me, bending and gripping the edge of the tub as he leaned over me. “I’m going to make you mine tonight, Jessamine. Prepare yourself for that certainty.”
I was breathing heavily, my chest rising and falling. To his credit, his feral gaze remained on mine, daring me to contradict him.
“Do you think that’s wise, Lord Redvyr?” I used his title on purpose, to remind him who he was.
“I don’t care.”
“I’m a light fae female.”
“I can see that.” That was when his gaze wandered down my body, still partly concealed by the water.
“What if your clan protests?”
“I am their clan lord. They won’t protest.”
“Perhaps not to your face, but not all will be happy if you take me to your bed.”
“I do not care.”
“That’s reckless,” I warned him. “You may regret it.”
He huffed and stood to his full height, unbuttoning his vest and tossing it aside, revealing the wide expanse of his muscular chest.
“I can promise you this, Jessamine. I will not regret this.” He held out his hand. “Stand. Let me see all of you.”
I’d never been nude before anyone, always hiding my body even when I was in front of my sisters and mother. I’d certainly never shown anyone my entire body glowing in syrenskyn magick. And while I hadn’t intentionally kept my magick humming, it burned brighter than ever. Like a beacon for the beast fae lord.
Focusing on sheathing my claws, transforming my hands back to normal, I held out one hand and let him lift me from the tub. Water sluiced down my body, over the curves of my breasts, belly, and hips. Redvyr watched with rapture.
