“Well, yes, I have kissed someone before. You have never?”
“Never. Who did you kiss?” I asked curiously.
“I kissed Deric once, the servant from the west wing. And last year, I spent some time with Eman, also from the west wing.”
“And you kissed him as well?”
“Oh, I kissed him all right, and not just on the mouth.”
“Then kissed him…where?”
“Well, downthere.”
“What do you meandown there?” I asked, my brow furrowed.
“You know…his man part.” My eyes went wide. Nadya let out a chuckle, then asked, “You do know that a man can kiss and lick you down there as well, right?”
I gasped. She giggled. “Does everyone know about this?” I whispered.
Her hands clamped over her mouth, but they weren’t enough to stifle her laughter. “I wish you could see your face right now.”
“I didn’t know that people could do that.”
“Well, now I wonder what your face is going to look like when I tell you what else is done in bed.”
“There’s more?”
“Mmhmm,muchmore.”
“Tell me everything,” I breathed.
CHAPTER 20
“Come in.”
From behind the door, I could tell that he sounded farther away. Perhaps he called me in from the bathing chamber, just where I thought he’d be if I came a bit earlier than usual.Nice. My other plan of avoidance involved letting two front locks of hair dangle freely.
With a lowered head, I hurried towards the dining table, angling myself so that when he came out of the chamber, he’d find my back.
“Cordelia, tonight I’ll be having an important dinner with Eldric, my second-in-command. He’s finally here, and we have a lot to catch up on.”
I kept setting up his table, “too focused” to look at him while he spoke. I forced it to come out casual, yet my high-pitched tone and my grumbling belly may have betrayed me. “All right, I’ll see you tomorrow, then. Good d—”
“You will not have breakfast with me?” he asked, every word sounding closer than the one before it. I knew he moved my way.
I have to leave. Now.
“I’m sorry I can’t stay, but I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said, hurrying for the door. I went to reach for the handle but my hand clamped over Aegir’s. His other hand pressed against the door, trapping me.
Silence.
Keeping my head down, I turned around, only to find Aegir wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist, slightly lower. I could see those V-lines of his very well from this angle.
I looked away, but Aegir reached for my face and brushed my chin, lifting it. It was gentle, only using his thumb and forefinger. Our eyes met, and I begged mine to keep a neutral stare. I didn’t allow myself to show an ounce of self-pity.
Always know your worth, Wildheart, Semuel’s voice whispered in my ear.
Aegir moved one of the dangling locks away from my face using the back of his fingers. His next words were a misty rumble. “Hedid this to you?” I swore the room trembled. I said nothing, but I sure as hell held his stare. Despite my earlier efforts not to meet his gaze, now that he saw, I would not be the one to break it off. “This ends now,” he grated. His voice came out so low and deep, the threat in each word reverberated in my bones. “Move.” He went to reach for the handle. It was my turn now to stop him from opening that door. His hand covered mine.
