Roan was quiet for a few moments, his breaths soft and low. I moved a bit closer, my side pressing to his and leaned my head against his shoulder. "Oh and Captain?"
"Hmm?"
"Just so we're clear, there was no other man on my mind when I entered your bed.”
"Nootherman?" His question had me flushing, biting the inside of my cheek as I fought the smile that tilted the corners of my lips.
I didn't answer him as we sat beneath the stars, my head still resting on his shoulder, nor did he pry further. A comfortable silence, a truce, enveloped us as I sifted through the feelings I had around this man. The relationship confused me, having gone from cold and sarcastic, tofriendly and respectful, to now flirtatious and so full of tension I could hardly breathe. Yet he had left me alone on that dance floor, even when I had asked him to stay, but still he had said those words when we shared a bed.
You're like a storm.
I was confused. What exactly did he want from me?
Clearly he had been jealous of Gianni, yet he made no move of his own.
Lifting my head, I glanced up at the enigma I had been resting against and was met with the deep rise and falls of his chest, the lashes that fluttered against his cheeks, and let out a sigh. My head fell back to his shoulder as he slept soundly.
As much as I wished to ask, to clarify what was happening between us, a snaking of fear slithered through my mind, wrapping and constricting until my pulse quickened and my heart grew heavy. Perhaps the answer scared me more than the unknown.
Chapter Twenty Seven
Imoved through the market of Beshmel with curiosity, my mood sour as a certain Captain trailed behind. Kairen, Bran, and Rena had made their way to a stall selling some sort of shaved ice while I looked for a merchant with herbs and other various potion ingredients.
Gianni had insisted that we procure whatever we may need from the markets while he secured rooms at the little inn. My horrid mood came from the fact that I hadn't been able to immediately bathe away the sweat and sand that clung to my skin, as the Inn did not in fact have baths. Gianni instead informed us that there was a stone structure within the miniscule town that was something of a bathing house; he would have to buy a time slot for us to use one of the private, larger basins.
I itched all over as the white linen clung to the dips and curves of my figure, caked in a mixture of damp sweat and gritty desert sand that covered every inch of my skin, making me all the more miserable.
Ihatedthe heat.
My eyes caught a stall selling various jeweled things and I couldn't help the momentary distraction as I started towards the merchant. The man greeted me with a wide smile as I eyed the intricately made pieces, mygaze settling upon a glint of silver. Thin braids of the metal were woven together, creating a replication of delicate vines with studs of emerald throughout the piece.
My fingers trailed over the bracelet and the man’s head dipped in approval. “A fine choice, Miss. I found that piece during my travels in Kezechani. They have some of the greatest metalworkers known to any kingdom."
I raised a brow as he spoke of the northern kingdom, separated from Tavari by rugged mountains. I didn't know much of our northern neighbors, but the piece sparked my interest.
I felt Roan approach behind, as he too took in the intricacy of the design.
"It even matches your husband's eyes," the merchant exclaimed gleefully. “It is fate that had it catching your eye."
"Oh we're not—he'snot—”
I stumbled through the words, but Roan merely laid an arm over my shoulder, effectively hushing me as he gave the merchant a charming smile. “How much for the bracelet?"
I protested, but it was no use as he shooed me a few paces back. He set to haggling with the merchant over the price, their voices low so I could not hear how much it had cost. He eyed me over his shoulder, shifting to block my view of his coin purse as he handed over the amount they settled upon.
Stubborn man.
When he approached, the bracelet dangling from his fingers and a crooked grin lighting his face, my irritation began to melt away. He reached with his free hand and I allowed it, the corners of my lips curving as he slid it onto my wrist.
Running a finger along the little emeralds that sparkled in the sun, I glanced up at him. “Thank you, it's beautiful."
Shrugging lightly as we moved to continue our path through the small market he said, "You rarely wear jewelry, besides that necklace you keep hidden away. The bracelet suits you."
Stiffening slightly at the mention of my necklace, I glanced sidelong at him. Yet he didn't press me for more information or speak of it again as we fell into silence.
Towards the end of the market I finally spotted a simple stall laden with various dried plants and jars of preserved oddities. I quickened my pace and gave the merchant a few words of greeting before I began my perusal, sharp eyes scanning everything there was to offer.
The top of my list was dried sea star and licorice root to brew a potion for sea sickness for when it came time to head north once again. Rena would bury me in the desert if I failed to follow through on that promise.
