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Rose supposed she was worried too; she was just uninterested in spending all her time talking about things over which she had no control.
The entire place was covered in books. Three entire walls covered with shelving, books crammed into every possible nook.
“Well, won’t this be fun,” Arie quipped.
She didn’t trust that kind of flexibility, especially from the leader of the Suden fae.
He raised his eyebrow at her. She wanted to rip it off his face.
“Suden aren’t overly affectionate people, but we are…possessive,” he finished smoothly.
He had all the energy of a five-year-old on the winter solstice.
It was simple to get lost in the depths of his dark brown eyes when they were so solely focused on her.
“I would lick your face while I’m here, but we’re in public, and I don’t think you want an audience.” Still smiling, he pulled back. Heat rushed through her body at the thought of what he would do with his tongue without an audience, but she shook her head free of the all too different mind haze that his presence created.
His smile turned predatory as he stalked forward to her.
“Oh no, Rose, I’m not letting this go. You’re fae. I just don’t know how I missed it.”
“Have you ever used that magic on me?” A pause and another head tilt. “No, Rose. I want you to remember every one of our interactions.”
You liked me so much you licked me.”
The only thing that Rose could smell was the perfect mix of pine and cinnamon permeating the air around them.
Rose snapped her mouth shut as she evaluated what she was witnessing. She’d seen the terrifying Suden Point in action, willing to destroy someone who had shot at her. She knew he would have killed the man if she hadn’t stepped in.
She might fear what he’d do with her secrets, but she didn’t fear his power.
The bird on her shoulder made a sound like it was choking. Rose assumed Arie was trying to giggle in delight at the drama he’d caused but found it hard to do in his bird form.
“We’re leaning into the fact that most here are too scared of me to ask questions. I know that comes as a shock to you since you seem to have no fear of me.” He raised an eyebrow at her.
“This is a fake relationship, Luc. My judgment of you doesn’t matter.”
His casual power radiated through this everyday activity. No one watching him would mistake him for ordinary. No matter how at rest he seemed, he was a threat—capable of violence at a moment’s notice.
He didn’t like the secrecy and isolation of power. He’d rather make it a home with those he loved.
What was wrong with her? They were in a fake relationship. She needed to keep focusing on the “fake” part.
She was still off balance from the effect of his proximity. She needed to get used to it. They were in a relationship for all everyone here knew. She should enjoy his touch. That could be the problem. Her body seemed to enjoy his closeness too much.
The fire burning between them was already much hotter than she’d like. She knew this was supposed to be a fake relationship, but his admiration and desire seemed to request a different definition.
She knew Luc had promised to keep her from the other Compass Points, but she was still more than a little baffled that he was preparing to fight the Osten Point on her behalf.
Rose almost laughed. She had been right. He was planning to fight the Osten Point for her.
She knew better than to judge a book by its cover, though.
She ran as fast as her legs could carry her to the forest: her favorite adventure, now her only escape.
She’d need to run until she recognized nothing, until she was lost. She was no longer safe here.
Her eyes continued to scan the room, lingering longer on the bed. She knew that there would only be one. They’d already slept in the same room together on their trip here, but sharing his bed in his personal space was an intimacy nonetheless. One for which she wasn’t entirely sure she was prepared, especially when his gaze threatened to set her aflame.
She’d felt their relationship growing more real by the hour, but to what end? It couldn’t be real once he knew who she was.
“Luc, we need to talk.” He gave her a pointed but reassuring glance. “You have my undivided attention, I assure you.”
You are amazing, Rose. You, as you are.”
Who did this to you?”
I’ll happily continue to prove my friendship to you since Arie proves it can be done successfully. Then maybe someday you’ll trust me with those stories too.”
“It’s fine, Luc. We can share the bed.”
She wanted him to hold her close again and use his delicious warmth to chase away the bone-chilling wind from her horrible memories.
He was stunning. He must have felt her appraising gaze raking over his abdomen, chest, and shoulders. He had the audacity to wink at her as he grabbed a shirt from the closet and pulled it over his head.
“I can’t tell if the look on your face is for me or the promise of chocolate pastries.” His smile was devious. “But given my fragile ego, I’m going to choose to believe it’s for me.”
On cue, he responded, “I assure you that I could be every bit as satisfying as the pastry.” His smile held a laugh now as he made his way toward her.
He flirted shamelessly with her to pull her mind from her pain, and she liked it.
She knew that the way he looked at her, like she was a gravitational force holding his undivided attention, was more than their fake relationship required.
He saw her, he saw her strength and her pain, and he seemed to want to understand it all.
She’d shared more with him yesterday than she had with anyone in ten years.
“I just want to know if you are ok. I can’t imagine being here is doing anything for the countless memories you’ve spent years repressing.”
You are still stronger than you know, dear.
The Suden Point cared more for her well-being than the Norden elders. The elders had failed her.
“For the record…” His smile turned sinful. “I am taken with your, as you say, charms.”
It was a large bed, and he’d given her space each night they’d shared it. Yet there was no disguising the want in his eyes now as she made her way firmly towards his side.
“I’ll just eat on your side of the bed so we can consider that side the crumb side.”
