Page 53 of Death of a Mortal

A shiver ran through my body, starting at my core. But somewhere in my foggy brain, there was relief too. I had been open with him, and here he still was. Seeing me, laughing with me, and, oh gods, touching me…

His knuckles softly caressed my arm under the water.

And my core felt like molten gold, hot and thick.

“Would you like to know a secret?” he whispered, leaning down so his lips were nearly touching my ear. I could feel the hot breath behind his words.

“Yes,” I breathed. I didn’t recognize my voice, laden with desire. I think even the surrounding water stopped moving, holding its breath.

His lips were touching my ear now, every single syllable felt as he said, “Purple is beautiful on you, but the black lace is downright sinful.”

My thoughts were interrupted by a loud caw—Noxie. It broke the prince’s gaze from mine.

Damn him.

“He’s the prince, Naci. What are you doing?” he asked indignantly, landing on the top of an arch nearby.

“What are you doing here? This is private, Noxie. Go away!”

“I hope you know what you’re doing. Who his father is.”

“Of course I know! Leave me be!”

He took off again with another caw. The prince was annoyed but nonsuspicious. After all, why would a mortal girl have a crow following her around that she could talk to in her head?

With the moment ruined, I backed away and wrapped my arms around myself. I wanted so badly to lean into him and into this feeling,but no matter how I didn’t want to admit it, Noxie was right. I needed to be very sure of what I was doing before I did it.

Varyn smiled down at me. “I never did like birds.” He sighed. “It’s late. I should get you back to your room before Nella worries I’ve taken you captive.”

We got out of the fountain and wrung out our clothes as best we could. Too bad Varyn didn’t have fire or air magic to dry us off. Ice was utterly useless right now.

At least my dress and his shirt were dry.

We crept through the castle, hoping not to run into anyone when we were both wet and out very late, shooting furtive glances at one another.

When we passed the library I had seen on my tour with Bea, I asked the prince, “Could you get me into the library? I used to work in a bookshop. I’ve always loved books.”

“I think I can manage that,” he said, which lifted my heart after Noxie’s frustrating intervention.

When we got back to the laundry wing, he kissed my hand and said good night with a wink. That had become our thing.

I walked past the folding stations, noticing Nella had folded the laundry we had both neglected after lunch.

Bless her.

She was fast asleep when I got into our room. I slipped out of my wet clothes and into bed and replayed the night once again in my mind.

I could trust him. And he trusted me. No matter how cold Varyn’s ice was, I was already burning for him. But burns could leave scars.

Chapter 15

No More Waiting

At breakfast thenext morning, Nella made me recount every detail. Twice. I think she loved the idea of the prince and me even more than I did.

Because I did, I wanted it. I wanted him.

“The prince kissed you?”