Page 70 of Black Sea

A dark anxiety wormed its way into me, crawling within my body like a disease.

“So,” Roxior sighed coldly, “you can enjoy the future evenings without any anguish.” He blew out the smoke. “He will be the one to sacrifice himself for you.”

I could no longer remain in this room. I needed to return to Amlach. Immediately. I would bring him to his senses by any means necessary.

So, I turned around. I already had one foot in the corridor when the Master spoke again.

“Do you still want two separate beds?”

I held back a menacing look, and his throaty giggle trailed behind me as I left.

42

When I returned to the room, I found Amlach lying on his bed, wearing only trousers. Although his eyes were closed, his restless frown suggested he was awake. Inching closer to the mattress, I glanced at the tunic and boots he had tossed on the ground, then I unabashedly took in the sight of his chiseled chest, contemplating what it might feel like to run my fingers through his soft brown hair.

“How seriously do you mean to fight?” he asked me all of a sudden, without bothering to open his eyes. “Because I’m exhausted and I’d like to sleep until lunch, if possible.”

The implications of that ‘exhausted’ made blood go to my head. “Get up,” I growled, resisting the urge to drag him off the bed. “I don’t want you to contaminate the sheets with that disgusting smell you’ve got on.”

With deliberate slowness, Amlach pulled himself up and sat on the edge of the mattress, his tiptoes nearly touching mine. “What do you know of the smell I’ve got on?”

His tremendously alluring voice sent shivers of desire through me, a desire I fought to hide. Although I stood a few inches taller, I felt dwarfed by his authoritative presence, captivating looks, and the piercing intensity of his gaze locked with mine.

By the thought of the future we could have together.

I cast my eyes down at the bruise on his neck and the scratches, my brow cinching. “Roxior told me everything.”

“You went to speak with him?” Amlach’s gaze, suddenly angry, traveled over my body. “Like this?” He rubbed my nightgown’s light fabric between his thumb and forefinger, then clenched it in his fist and pulled me between his legs. “The elf is getting bold.”

“Stop it, Amlach,” I snapped, swatting his hand away.

He grinned and placed his palms on the mattress, gazing at me hungrily as I stepped back.

“Go to Roxior now,” I ordered him, trying to ignore the contours of his abs and the line of hair that trailed from his navel into his pants. “Tell him you’ve changed your mind, and you’ll gather information about Mistress Yrrek and the others without bedding them.”

I didn’t wait for his confirmation and headed toward the closet.

“No,” Amlach said.

I paused with my fingers on the knobs, glancing back at him over my shoulder. “What?” I hissed.

He inhaled deeply and rose with a nearly regal attitude. “I said no.”

In disbelief, I watched him as he perched on the windowsill of the open window. The sunlight kissed his bare skin and hair, giving them a golden and copper sheen, respectively. Then, captivated by his gaze, I chose to approach him once more. I laid my hand on the back of his, observing the difference in size and complexion.

“You and I have done nothing but protect each other since we met,” I whispered, almost to myself. I looked up at him with determination. “But if you decide to become a courtesan to keep doing that, then I no longer want your protection.”

“I won’t do it just for you, Nauriel.” With a somber expression, Amlach gazed over the red rooftops extending beyond the house’s walls. “I hate this town. I’d rather go back to the island where we were shipwrecked than stay here for another month.” He looked back at me, covering my hand with his. “The more Masters and Mistresses I please, the more favors I could claim to buy a ride on a ship or boat.”

I pulled my hand back and stepped away, my face twisted with anger. “You don’t need to give yourself to them for this.”

Amlach sprang to his feet, towering over me. “And what damn range of motion could I have, otherwise, if I’m always chained to you because they’re afraid you’ll destroy everything with a fucking finger?”

I maintained eye contact with every ounce of determination I possessed. “We’ll find another way,” I said.

We would reveal the truth to Roxior, leaving him no choice but to keep my secret and agree to unchain us, allowing Amlach to achieve the man’s long-desired goal.

And what if he will not?