Page 62 of To Fight and To Fold

In the past, it stemmed from the uncertainty of boundaries, of offending the knight or being too forward in her shy desires.

Now it was because Aaryn was uncertain if Thea was as dangerous as she looked.

"Somehow I doubt that," Thea murmured.

Excitement struck deep in her belly, her pulse leaping against her throat.

Did she have a sword beneath that cloak? Her favorite dagger?

Aaryn's own dagger lay on her desk, but even if she had it… what should she do? Stab Thea?

No. Aaryn couldn't do that. So she might as well see what the druid had to say.

"What do you find so entertaining about this?" Aaryn asked, tilting her head to the left to motion to the battle. She tried not to flinch at the pops of magic, and resisted the urge to turn her head from Thea to see it for herself.

Thea smirked, and stared out the arched window without the same restraint as Aaryn. "Watching them fight for something they'll lose," she drawled.

Aaryn's cheeks heated—anger on behalf of the knights below, or because of the purr in her expectations? "What do you want?"

Thea shrugged. "What do you think?"

Aaryn didn't answer.

"I want to give you another chance to do what's right. Come with me. To Starspark." Thea made it sound so easy.

Thea's words to Starspark flitted through her head. I'll bring her back to you tomorrow.

Each thump of Aaryn's heart felt as devastating as the thunderous battle on the field. "What would happen to me? If I came with you."

Thea's gaze leapt to her, a small smile attempting to curl her lips. "Are you afraid of me?"

The druid advanced toward her, and Aaryn said, "No," even though she backed away.

Step by step, Aaryn tried to avoid her. It was a dance with no music but for the thump of her heart, until Aaryn could go no further, until she knocked into the chair. It thunked into the desk, and Aaryn stilled, wincing at the sound, eyes flitting toward the door.

The realization struck her then. She didn't want Thea to get caught. She didn't want to alert her guard. She didn't want them to be interrupted.

A part of her tried to rebel against it.

Her dagger was within reach. She should put her lesson to use—Aaryn reached behind her, but Thea was faster. The druid leaned over her, slapping her hand atop the sheathed dagger and pinning it to the surface of the desk.

"Nah-ah," she cooed.

Her warmth covered Aaryn and she swallowed, composing herself.

"Get off me," she bit out, glancing up at her.

Scant inches separated them, and while Thea and Aaryn were of similar heights, it felt as if Thea towered over her in this moment, that perfect freckle so very clear on her jaw.

Their gazes met, lingering, searching. Aaryn was looking for a reason to trust Thea. She wondered what Thea sought.

Then her attention trailed lower, and Aaryn became viscerally aware of her wardrobe. She had been too concerned about the attack to commit to dressing for bed, but she was not made up in full, either. A simple tunic over a pair of trousers. No corset or stays, and without the extra layers of protection, she felt downright vulnerable.

Especially in front of Thea, for some reason.

"You going to use it?" Thea asked, skating her fingers over the back of Aaryn's hand, the hilt of the dagger beneath it. The dance of her fingers over her skin was downright sensual, and something persistent yanked behind Aaryn's navel.

Aaryn steadied herself and glared up at her as her arm began to ache from the awkward angle. "Nice haircut. Shall I give you another?"