Sebastian groaned.
He was about to bring his lips to hers, to swallow all that sweetness so this moment would never be forgotten, when a knock rapped on the study room door.
He froze. Ciana froze. He pulled back, finding her wide-eyed stare.
“Sir Sebastian?” said a muffled voice. “It’s Archivist Eliza. I have a servant here with breakfast and the additional texts you requested last night.”
Shit. But even as his heart thudded in his chest, Sebastian couldn’t help his grin.
“How suspicious would it be if we told her to come back in an hour?”
Ciana smacked his chest. “Very suspicious!” she hissed, squirming beneath him. “I have to get dressed.” She bucked her hips and Sebastian groaned, stars mottling his vision.
“Keep moving like that,” he murmured, “and I will never let you leave this bed.”
She stilled, cheeks flushing pink again. Sebastian grinned. “I’m just kidding. You’re right.” He dropped a kiss to the tip of her nose. “Mostly.”
He pushed off her, feeling the loss of her skin on his like a blow to the chest, and was about to damn it all to Enfara right there?—
The archivist knocked again. “Sir Sebastian? Lady Ciana?”
“One moment!” Shit, where were his pants? He scanned the floor, snapping his trousers up from where they’d been discarded a few paces away. His shirt wasn’t far behind, and he slid that over his chest as Ciana slipped from the bed and raced to the bathroom.
“Your dress is out here, Cee.”
“Just answer the door!”
Sebastian chuckled, picking up her dress and undergarments—all that gods-damned pink lace still making his mind stutter—from the floor and tossing it inside the bedroom. He closed the door, padding quietly over the wooden floors.
The archivist greeted him with a polite smile. “Good morning!” Her eyes darted over his shoulder, taking in the study room. “I hope we are not intruding…?”
Heat burned up Sebastian’s throat, but he returned her easy smile. “No. Not at all. Please, come in.” He gestured the archivist and the two servants with her inside. The first deposited a tray laden with breads and fruits and cheeses on the table. Thesecond carried a wicker crate, filled to the brim with ancient-looking scrolls and texts.
“I do appreciate the notes you gave me last night,” the archivist said. “I am glad you were able to narrow your search.” She gestured to the crate. “This is what I was able to find last evening and this morning. There are still a few more places I can search, but I didn’t want to delay in bringing you these in the meantime.”
“Thank you, Eliza.” Sebastian smiled. “I hope it wasn’t too much trouble. We very much appreciate your help.”
The archivist dipped her head. “No trouble at all,” she said breezily. “My king commanded that I help you in whatever way I can. It’s my pleasure to do so.”
With a final thanks, the archivist and servants swept from the study room, the door clicking closed softly behind them.
The bedroom door creaked open. Ciana stepped lightly out, back in her dress, hair wild and smile sheepish. Her expression ignited when she saw the tray of food on the table.
“Just what I needed,” she groaned, nearly leaping forward to snatch a flakey pastry from the tray and stuffing it into her face without a single care in the world.
Sebastian’s chest warmed so much he thought he would spark into flames. He walked to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pressing a kiss to her temple.
“Once we’re done eating,” he murmured into her hair, “we have some new homework to get through.” He gestured to the crate on the floor.
Ciana paused her chewing then sagged, groaning again. “I guess the bubble couldn’t last forever.”
“Oh, you misunderstand me, Ms. Visseau,” Sebastian murmured into her ear. “The sooner we get through this stack, the sooner we can continue where we left off this morning.”
She swallowed thickly, wide amber eyes meeting his. “There can’t possibly be more to show me.”
Sebastian’s core tightened. Gods, if she only knew.
“There is no limit to what I wish to show you, Ciana,” he said. Heat flared in her eyes and she turned?—
