His gaze lingered on my mouth again, much as he’d done downstairs. Abruptly, his nostrils flared, and he lifted his head. “It’s not a problem.”
His straight posture gave me a clear view of his lips and the strong columns in his throat. A memory of the kiss we’d shared in Whiteolfagainblasted to the front of my mind, and thinking of the feel of his arms caging me in and the tangle of his tongue caressing mine once again threatened toderail my composure. Not that I currentlyhadany composure...
Consequently, the uncontrollable urge to ramble to try and cover up my responses immediately took over. “It’s so strange to see you again, all the way out here, nonetheless.” I shoved my supplies through the door, then planted a hand on my hip. “Say, whatever happened to those two males that you apprehended? Did they walk free or go to the court system? They were such awful fae. I hope they got what they deserved. And did that wildling mother ever find you that night? She came to me when I was sleeping and gave me a handful of the most delicious berries. I was wondering if she did the same to you?”
I was nearly breathless by the time I smacked some sense into myself and stopped talking.
But Kole just eyed me, his expression blank, although he was staring at my mouth again.
Abruptly, he shifted away and withdrew his key. “I took those males to Fillow and left them for the kingsfae to take care of. I’m unsure where the authorities took them from there, and no, the wildling mother never found me and gave me berries.”
“Oh, right, I kind of figured as much about the males, and I’m not surprised that you didn’t get any berries if you left with them to travel back to Fillow. She probably couldn’t find you.” I ran a hand through my hair, unsure what else to do.
The key he held still sat idly in his door’s lock, and it was then I realized that he didn’t have any bags. I cocked my head. “Don’t you have a pack or belongings you’re traveling with?”In a way, I felt entirely foolish given the sheer amount of goods I’d brought along.
But if he’d heard me, he didn’t indicate it. His attention had dipped once again to fixate on my mouth, and I could have sworn that something flashed in his eyes. Heat, maybe, orwant? But that couldn’t be right. The warrior wasn’t actually attracted to me. He barely wanted to speak with me, let alone be around me. Never mind how he’d kissed me in Whiteolf and practically devoured me in that moment.
That was aforcedkiss, lest you forget that, Primelle Hollaran. Kole didn’t choose to do that, I silently chided myself.
Yet just when I was certain that the warrior was looking at me with a hint of lust, despite trying to talk myself out of it, a crack of magic flared around his wrist, and he snapped himself upright.
My attention dropped to where his magic had just flared.How odd.
Forehead furrowing, he said in a rush, “No, I don’t have any other bags. Good evening to you, Miss Hollaran.”
With that, he turned his key and disappeared in a flash of speed inside his chambers.
CHAPTER NINE
My heart was still pounding even though all I’d done was unpack what I needed for the night, then stacked the rest of my things near the closet. But I couldn’t get over the fact that Kole Swordwielder was on the other side of our shared wall, and that we’d run into each other yetagain. Nor could I get over the belief that he’d been staring at my mouth in the hallway while I’d been having lust-filled thoughts.
Please, please, don’t start acting crazy again just because he’s near.
I sighed. That was all I needed. Although, given my reaction to him downstairs and in the hall, it was quite possible that ship had sailed.
I nibbled on my lip, frowning, and mulled everything over. Music from the salopas across the street continued to carry into my room, but it did little to drown out my thoughts.
I’d had days to think about my initial response to Kole, towhen we’d first met in that alleyway in Whiteolf, and then later that same day in the Wood. I’d been convinced my reactions were all due to the Stone, given that everything had happened so closely together. And that I, like Abel’s unhinged behavior, was acting derailed due to the Stone’s arrival.
Yet...since then, my insanityhadn’tincreased. The opposite in fact. The past four days I’d felt normal, just like I always did.
So what does that mean?
I rolled my eyes and finally accepted the obvious. “Seriously, Primelle. It doesn’t take a genius to figure this one out. The Stone isn’t making you crazy. You’re simply attracted to Kole, and that’s why you act like an idiot around him. That’s all entirely due to your lovely self. Nothing more.” I plopped down onto my bed and cradled my head. “Oh stars. How wonderful.”
Even though I’d been attracted to other males in my life, if I was honest with myself, none had ever affected me like Kole did. For some stupid reason, my body, magic, mind...all of it, stood to attention when he was close by.
I muttered a sound of disgust. “Try to remember why you’re actually here.”
Bouncing, I tested my bed’s mattress, then did a quick check of the room’s security. Like most inns, simple wards were encased within the walls, deterring anyone from manipulating their magic through them. They were basic, though, notsomething that would keep a powerful magic wielder at bay, but it was enough to make me feel safe.
From there, I went to the door in the far corner, near the windows and beside the bathing chambers. It wasn’t a closet, since I’d already found that, but oddly, the door was locked.
“How strange. Perhaps this is a secured closet?” But when I disengaged the lock and opened the door, a closet didn’t greet me. Another solid door did.
Without thinking, I knocked on it.
A few thumps came from the other side, then the sound of another lock disengaging. Just as I realized where this door led and what it was, Kole was opening his door from the other side of our adjoining rooms.
