Thalia hopped into the bed, ignoring the scratchy wool of the blanket. Cassius took a few more minutes to ensure Keegan’s clothes and boots were near the fire as well, then he headed for their tiny mattress.
Thalia did her best to scoot to the very edge, but the bed was hardly meant for two people. As soon as he lay down, his arm pressed against her bare back.
“Your elbow is digging into me,” she whispered harshly.
“It’s not like I have a lot of room,” Cassius bit back.
Annoyance flared, heating her more than the fire. “Then make room.”
“And how do you suggest I do that?”
Thalia chewed the inside of her cheek. “I don’t know. Figure it out.”
Maybe sharing a bed with him was a mistake. Gods, she’d rather take Keegan snoring in her ear than Cassius, whose presence threatened to engulf her.
“Do not stab me for this,” Cassius muttered.
Confusion flashed before Cassius shifted, and Thalia nearly yelped as his arm suddenly banded around her waist, pulling her flush against him.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Cassius slipped his other arm around her chest, his hips pressing against her backside.
Fuck.
Thalia swallowed, suddenly wishing she hadn’t built a fire, not with how hot she burned.
“Is this okay?” Cassius’s words brushed the shell of her ear.
Thalia nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
“Try to rest.”
Thalia nodded again. But even when his breathing became slow and steady behind her, his arms relaxing, Thalia’s lids refused to close, her heart pounding long into the night.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“What’s this?” Thalia asked as the three of them broke through the tree line. A half-forgotten manor rose before them, its walls covered in thick ivy and growing moss. They’d spent three days traveling, the forest slowly shifting from trees with silver trunks and crimson leaves to more brownish and green hues.
“This is one of the prince’s safe houses, to either use himself or for his advisers. Only his personal council know of this place. We’ll be safe here,” Cassius rumbled, nudging Feryena over a small stream.
Thalia relaxed against him as they got to the manor, which was tucked away into the forest like a hidden gem. Behind the house was a glittering lake with thick pine trees framing it, the water crystal even from a distance.
“I’ll send word to Camilla to expect us,” Keegan said, dismounting in the small courtyard.
Cassius nodded, and Thalia didn’t protest as he helped her down. Her knees nearly buckled with relief, and she was glad Cassius kept hold of her until she’d steadied.
He led her into the manor. The walls were covered in colorful tapestries and paintings, the polar opposite of the castle in Irenbis. Cassius led her to a bedroom bedecked in shades of soft brown and sage green, the smell of rose and crisp linen tickling her nose.
“You can freshen up here. I need to check in on Keegan and take care of a few things. The manor is safe to explore, just don’t go down into the lower levels.”
Thalia made a face at that. “What’s down there?”
Cassius’s eyes flickered, but he ignored her question. “The grounds are warded; they wrap all around the lake. Just don’t go past the tree line and you’ll be fine.”
“Warded? How?”
Cassius shrugged. “Camilla managed to erect a barrier years ago. It keeps unwanted guests from venturing in.”
