It scared me how much I wanted him to–and how my body wanted to wrap around him as a reply.
I shook my head. “You and Dax should form an alliance on this subject.”
“Perish the thought of me spending more time with him than absolutely necessary.”
“You two have more things in common than you realize.”
“Yes, I am also known for my exquisite social skills,” he deadpanned.
“Exquisite, huh? He’ll love hearing that.” I laughed. “You two both like to be left alone to do things your own ways. He didn’t have the advantage of a secluded crater to accomplish that, but he’s his own type of recluse.”
“My type’s better,” he teased.
“That’s exactly what he would have said,” I teased back.
My gaze softened as I studied him, this fearsome warrior with sparking eyes and the patience of a saint.
That same overwhelming feeling took over me, making me want to do something crazy.
Stupid.
Like being vulnerable.
“I–I like the way you are.” I swallowed, my heart beating too hard for such a simple declaration. “You have your principles and you stick to them. That–that takes courage.”
His lips twisted, looking on the verge of disagreeing.
“It’s true.” I shrugged, self-conscious. My gaze fell down to the bubbles floating between us, shiny and unbothered.
His hand rose from them, reaching up until he gently touched my chin, tilting it.
“You’re the one with the unshakable principles.” A corner of his mouth ticked up. “All the Clan Council magistrates can rot under Xamor’s metal boots, but perhaps the fates knew what they were doing when they thrust us into each other’s lives.”
“Or maybe they hoped we would destroy each other.”
He shrugged, unbothered. “Then we’ll just have to disappoint them, won’t we?”
“That–” My heart did that dangerous flip once more. “That is a good plan. A stubborn one.”
He winked. “I know my audience.”
“Your trapped audience.” I stretched myself alongside him, greedy to feel more of his skin against mine. “I’m never leaving this bath and since you said you’d always be by my side…”
He draped a hand across my shoulders, tucking me into him. “I think some people might miss us if we decide to spend eternity in my washroom.”
“It looks enough like a throne room that we could keep council here.”
“Our nudity might stunt our authority.”
“You’re right.” I sighed. “I don’t need Vylkor seeing my legs.”
A rumble erupted in his chest. “He won’t if he knows what’s best for him.”
His hand snaked through the water, caressing my leg possessively. And, damn him, I leaned into it.
“You can’t be jealous. Of Vylkor, of all people,” I said.
I’d only seen the man stare longingly at his broadsword.
