“Oh, I’d love to,” Liam’s voice sang with exaggerated sweetness. “We havesomuch to talk about.”
I glanced between them, wondering why my brother sounded borderline hostile. He shot me a look, eyes narrowed, chin tilted, but said nothing.
I knew that look. Liam wanted to talkalone.
Bláth smiled brightly at me as she trotted past, guiding Liam deeper into the mountain town. Leaving me alone with the Paragon.
Great.
“So.” I turned to Reese. “Baths?”
“Mhm.” His eyes glinted with mischief. “I have squirely duties for you.”
“For the last time, I amnotyour squire.”
Reese rode off, and I reluctantly followed.
Baths. Alone.
What could go wrong?
Aenir bathhouses were cozy little shacks, nestled across from taverns or inns. A weary smile stretched across my face as I peered through the torchlit windows of the inn and saw a dancer inside.
She twirled with pale green silks, long sashes circling her body. Emerald streaks brightened the air, hints of wind magic holding her gown aloft. I could hear the music accompanying her, a quick-tempo’d song strummed on a lute, the accompanying drums rumbling through the walls.
Saints, but the sounds of home lightened my heart.
Slipping my leg over the saddle, I prepared for the arduous task of dismounting. Reese practically leaped off his horse and appeared at my side, offering a hand.
“What happened to not coddling me?” I asked.
“You’re injured. Enjoy it while it lasts,” he said.
I reached for his hand, but he had other plans. He grabbed my waist as I slipped from the saddle and gently set me down on the road. His hands lingered around my waist; one gently curled around to my lower back.
Golden eyes gazed down into mine, soft and dreamlike.
Butterflies tumbled through my chest, and words died in my throat. I'd been close to men countless times: dancing, talking, bumping shoulders. Never had their closeness set my hair standing on end, made the very air feel thick and stifling.
Reese blinked and released me, stepping back sharply.
The air rushed back into my lungs. I found my voice and made a brilliant retort.
“I could have done that myself,” I said.
Reese chuckled. “Do you know what most squires in Aenir do?” He backed away and leaned against the bathhouse door.
“Train under their knight?” I guessed.
“Andhelp him don and doff his armor.” Reese pushed the door open.
Oh.Oh.
Wobbling, I pursued him through the door, trying to decide if I desperately wanted to escape. Or if I absolutely needed to stay.
The poor bath maid paled at the sight of a Paragon in her little establishment. She drew a bath, nervous and flustered, and tripped over her feet when Reese dismissed her.
I stepped through the privacy curtain, drinking in the heat. A log boiler sat beside the wooden tub, a few pitchers rested on a shelf, and rough rags hung from a hook for drying.
