“Yes.”
His lips pull back just a notch further as he lowers my hand, but he doesn’t let go. He holds it all the way to my door as we walk in silence, and even then, he holds it as he stops and turns to face me. I don’t complain. I was cold and alone, and he came and offered me comfort.
His brows scrunch together with concern once again as he looks down at me. “Are you going to be okay?”
My hesitation causes him to reach out and tuck a strand of hair back with a gentle hand. I shiver. “Why don’t I… help you get settled?”
I nod without thinking, but I don’t move. I’ve never had a male inside my chambers before. Not even a friend. I tend to keep to myself, though in my youth I did go to other people’s quarters once or twice for parties, where they drank wine they weren’t supposed to and got into trouble. Adrian was sometimes at those. I know he’s a lot more… experienced than me. Suddenly, my stomach flips. But it temporarily takes my mind off the trauma from earlier, so I lean into it, finally turning and leading him into my common room.
The lights in my room are brighter than those in the hallway, and they instantly sober me a little. Now my stomach is fluttering for completely different reasons, but I would rather feel this than be left alone with my own thoughts, so I lead Adrian to a black, cushioned lounger for two, and offer him some tea.
“Sure,” he nods.
I grab a cup from my cabinet and wave my hand, conjuring water and then heating it instantly. I grab a bag of herbal tea that I get from the market in town and place it in the steaming water.
Setting it on the table in front of him, I take a seat beside him, crossing my legs and angling my knees toward him. He eyes my dress with a slow, relaxed appreciation, and I don’t have to be experienced to know what that look means. He doesn’t stare too long, because Adrian is nothing if not polite, but the hungry way his gaze traveled up my body fills my body with warmth.
“Can I start you a bath? Whatever you need from me. I’m here to help.”
I smile. “A bath would be nice.”
He stands and strides to my bathing room, and I hear the knob turn and the water start. I stand and join him in there, startling him from behind.
He turns and faces me, clearing his throat. “I’ve got it from here,” I say, waving my hand over the water so it’s the perfect temperature.
His lips pull into a thin, tight-lipped smile. “Take as long as you need, I’ll wait out here.”
“Thank you,” I respond.
I lean over the tub to pour my favorite soaps in and hear the door click shut behind me.
I undress, feeling more naked than usual knowing Adrian is on the other side of the door, and immerse myself in the warm water. For a moment, my mind goes blank. Then I think of Adrian in the other room, and it fills me with a warm, comfort feeling.
But then I remember why he’s here in the first place, and my blood goes cold again as visions from earlier flood my mind. I quickly wash myself off and get out, wrapping myself in a silky purple robe that touches the floor and ties at my waist. I realize I didn’t bring anything else in here, so I’ll have to goout there and face him in this. The material is very thin and leaves little to the imagination.
I take a deep breath, suddenly feeling panicked in this bathroom all alone, and open the door. Adrian waits on the lounger with one leg crossed over the other, his arm resting on the back as he holds his cup in front of his mouth, frozen. This time, he doesn’t stop his eyes from traveling up and down my body, taking it all in.
I walk toward him steadily as his eyes return to mine.
He clears his throat. “That was fast.”
“Yeah. I, uh…” I trail off, not really wanting to explain the panic I felt in there. Then I freeze, taking in the most beautiful assortment of flowers on my table.
“Did you make those?” I ask, my mouth hanging open.
He wiggles his fingers. “Just for you.” His voice comes out smooth and deep, and it does things to me that three simple words shouldn’t do.
“Thank you. They’re beautiful.” Adrian can control or recreate almost any living thing that grows from the ground. Before me is a stunning display of large yellow flowers with huge petals that I’ve never seen before. Not in person or in books. “What are they?”
“They’re called sunflowers. I read all about them in a book. They’re from before the curse,” he explains.
I smirk, feeling my cheeks heat. “I’ve never seen anything like them.”
He stands, smoothing out his pants, patting his thick, strong legs. My gaze lingers on them. “Well, I suppose I should be going. It’s late.”
“Don’t—” I stop myself. “I mean…” It’s the middle of the night. There’s no rule against him being here, and yet…
“Do you want me to stay with you?” he asks so gently it’s almost a whisper.
