Page 61 of Born of Starlight
“I’m aware. I won’t look—I promise.” I paused, reeling for anything to explain my sudden urge to see her. “Can we talk? I brought you a cheese tray—Emmerick said you didn’t eat.”
“You want to come in while I’m bathing…to talk?”
There was no answer to her skepticism that didn’t make me sound completely insane. “That’s a normal thing to do—it’s a communal bath. There are multiple tubs in there, are there not?”
“Fine.”
Relieved, I slipped through the door, my back to her, and placed the tray on a vanity. I knew where I’d heard her voice come from—it was as though my body knew exactly where hers was without setting eyes on her.
I stepped backward until the stone hit the back of my legs then slid down next to the tub. Letting my knees bend, I draped my arms over them. There were such delectable smells of warmed lavender behind me, and I could feel the warmth of the water kiss the back of my neck.
“You’re sure you are an enchantress and not a Siren?” I asked.
The water shifted behind me. “Yes. Why?” She’d taken my words seriously—they had offended her.
“It was a joke. Since Sirens lure sailors to their death.”
I let my shoulders rest back against the stone tub, trying not to think about the fact she was nude, bathing, inches from me. Somehow, it felt more vulnerable to be fully dressed next to her and unable to successfully land a single flirtatious line.
The water shifted again. My imagination ran wild.
“I didn’t lure you here. You let yourself in to speak your nonsense.”
I cracked a smile. “My ‘nonsense’…”
She shifted again. The beautiful sound of water dripping and rippling off her was enough to make my throat tighten.
“Do you think it’s nonsense that I am drawn to you?”
She was quiet momentarily. “No, I don’t think that’s nonsense.”
“Then what is?”
“Your talk of Sirens—I’m not one, and you’re no sailor. And I’m not going to drown you.”
I swallowed. Hard. “What is this game we’re playing?”
“What do you mean?” she answered in that voice of damned false neutrality.
“You kissed me like you wanted me. Then you pushed me away.”
Was this line of conversation a smart idea?She’d already rejected me once that day. Regardless of one interested look across a crowded pub, that fact remained.
She had made it clear she wouldn’t let anything happen between us.
“Wanting isn’t something I should do. And I’m not playing any games,” she said.
“‘Should’is the keyword, but do you or don’t you?” I pressed her.
“What are you asking me, Fen?” The rasp in her voice was sultry yet restrained. She was still holding back. Stillpretending.
“I think you want me.” My words landed boldly. “But you’re scared to let yourself. Why?”
“I already told you at your cabin—I find you attractive. But my loyalty will always lay with what’s right for the realm.” Her voice was less sure this time, less measured.
“Well, that feeling is very mutual. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. But I didn’t ask you what the realm needs.”
She should tell me to go, to get out of that bath chamber and leave her alone.
