Page 99

He places his palm on my bare back. “A shifter fever isn’t like a human one,” he informs me. “Embrace the heat. Don’t try to stifle it, or you will make it worse.”

I wonder if that’s really true, but Arwan is a hybrid. He should know how shifter heats work.

Deciding to trust him, I dare to open my eyes, but I keep my gaze at my feet.

Sighing, I do enjoy how the water engulfs me when I descend all the way to my hips.

Arwan’s hand is comforting in mine. When I make the mistake of looking at him, I find that he’s still wearing his pants.

The disappointment must be on my face, because he flashes me a bright grin. “I can take them off, if you prefer,” he practically purrs.

My cheeks instantly flame.

“I’m sure Godric will be here in two seconds. I’d rather he not find you naked.”

“You’re half naked,” he informs me.

“Because you took off my clothes,” I retort.

“And you let me,” he adds.

He’s not wrong.

“Godric won’t get past my ward,” he says proudly, making me raise a brow. “Your victory earns us an hour alone.” He grants me a wicked smile. “To get to know each other. Sponsor to candidate.”

I’m not so sure how I feel about a king-ordained solo session with Arwan.

It makes it feel tainted.

“Godric is my pack master,” I say as I finally release his hand. “That’s just as good as being a sponsor, and I think he’d have something to say about this.” I find one of the seats carved into the stone at the edge of the pool, and I curl into it. The water laps around my chest. “Did you know he made me his concubine?”

It’s Arwan’s turn to be surprised. “Is that so?” He joins me, then leans back and clasps his hands behind his head as he reclines. “But he hasn’t fucked you.”

I freeze.

“How do you know?” I ask, but I’m a bad liar.

Arwan merely smiles.

“You might have his scent on you, but you remain unclaimed. So, in my world, that means I have time to woo you.”

“How very courtly of you,” I reply. “And how do you intend to woo me, exactly?”

“By letting you tell me what you want,” he says. “It’s your choice. You’re not the kind of woman who enjoys being told what to do.”

He’s right about that.

I get to choose.

I feel like that’s not the first time he’s said that, but I can’t think of when it has ever come up. “Tell me more,” I say as I pull my knees to my chest and wrap my arms around them.

Maybe Arwan knows a thing or two about shifter heat, but my body temperature is only rising the longer we’re in the hot spring.

I’m not sure if that’s because of the steamy water or the fact that Arwan is sitting shirtless right next to me telling me I finally have a smidge of agency over my own life.

“I don’t imagine you’re suggesting I choose how we spend the next hour,” I prod.

His eyes practically glimmer with delight. “You could, but I meant in regard to your participation in the Monster Games. I heard you intend to volunteer.”