It’s been too long since we’ve all been like this—together, unguarded, alive. I close my eyes for a moment and let it settle. The warmth, the laughter, the sheer relief of having survived another day.
Caspian sits near Kel. Ezryn is leaning on Rosie, body relaxed. Because he’s with his family, he’s unhelmed.
“So who’s going to jump in the lake after we warm up in here?” I ask, smiling.
Kel, who’s tucked so far back in a corner, I can only see the glint of his gaze through the steam, gives an ominous smile. “It’s an ancient tradition. Good for the mind and body.”
“I’m certainly not doing that,” Rosalina says. “Cas will take me back to Wolfhelm, and I’ll bathe inwarmwater there.”
“Anything you wish.” Cas smiles at her. His response is so immediate, his eagerness to please. It’s different seeing them in love. The harshness of his features is gone. She’s everything to him…
She’s his weakness, a voice purrs in my mind.
If that’s the case, then Rosalina is my weakness as well.
No. You’ve claimed the power to protect her forever.
The thought comforts me, and I settle back into the warmth. “Kel made me jump in the lake when he first brought me here.”
“It was good for you,” Keldarion says.
“What about you, Day?” I ask. “You love the water.”
Dayton, who’s sitting next to me, doesn’t respond. He’s got his long golden hair tied up in a knot, but his handsome face is stuck in a glare. A glare fixed on Caspian.
Cas stands and pours water over the hot stones. “Do you have a problem with me, Sea Puppy?”
Dayton shakes his head. “You’ve kissed Kel.”
“Yes.” Cas raises a brow.
“And you’ve kissed Rosie and Farron.”
Cas drops the ladle back in the tub and turns to Dayton. Cas only has a towel around his waist. It sits low on his hips, showing the thin line of dark hair below his belly button. My gaze travels over his chest, tinged pink from the heat.
“That’s correct,” Caspian says.
Dayton breathes out a long sigh, then stands. He walks across the small hut to Caspian, then grabs him roughly around the waist.
Then Dayton kisses him.
Large hands tangle in Caspian’s dark hair, their slick, sweaty bodies pressed together. Cas makes a surprised sound but doesn’t pull away. Instead, he grasps Dayton’s arm, slim fingers clutching the hard muscles. Dayton’s hand lowers down Cas’s spine, causing him to shiver. Day’s grip tightens, drawing Cas’s hips against his, coaxing out a near-pained mewl.
I drink in everyone else. Rosalina’s mouth is open, Ezryn’s shaking his head beside her, and Kel…well, Kel’s got his usual hard expression. Does Dayton know he’s risking a broken nose? Probably, but he doesn’t care. I’m sure people have risked a lot more for a kiss with the Prince of Thorns.
As for me, I can’t get enough.
Watching Dayton’s strong body pull Cas in, how his muscles gleam with tiny beads of sweat. How Caspian is writhing against him, fingers pressing so hard into Day’s arm, I’m certain they’ll bruise. How he parts his lips for Day to slip his tongue in, deepening the kiss.
Fuck, it’s so hot.
My cock hardens under my towel, and I’m grateful for the steam to hide my growing erection. But gods, what I wouldn’t give to slide my hand beneath and…
Dayton pulls away, grinning and breathless. “There, we’re even now. Considering you kissed both my…my Rosie and my Fare.”
Caspian takes in several low, shallow breaths. “Fuck, you are a good kisser.”
“I know,” Rosalina and I say at the same time.
