The birthmark reminds me of what he is. The chieftain from House of Crimson with fire magic coursing through his veins.
“What if you need to attend to something in the middle of the night?” I ask in a breathless voice.
He shrugs, the muscles in his shoulders rippling with the movement, then lies down next to me.
“What if people saw you running through the halls naked?” I press, trying to ignore the way my skin tingles at his proximity.
He laughs, a deep, rich sound that sends heat racing through my veins, and I quickly pin my eyes to the mural painted across the ceiling.
“What if—”
“—Annora, I am a warrior. I’m used to getting dressed in a hurry,” he says, his voice laced with amusement.
“Yes, but you—”
“—I’m fine. Good night,” he says firmly, settling into the bed beside me.
“Good night?” I squeak out, my body hyper-aware of his every movement. “How is it a good night when you’re lying naked next to me?”
“Do you want to touch it?”
“What?” I squeak even louder.
“I meant my body.” I hear the smirk in his tone, and I swallow hard.
“N-no.”Stop stammering.
“Maybe if you touched me, you wouldn’t be so embarrassed when you see me naked.”
Nerves twist in my belly as I tighten my fingers into fists. “I-I don’t want to t-touch you, Jasce.”
“Fine, but don’t forget I offered,” he says, and I can almost picture the cocky grin on his face.
I roll to my side, facing the wall, instead of answering him. My cheeks burn with a mixture of embarrassment and something else I can’t quite name.
Silence lingers between us as I close my eyes and try to stop thinking about how naked he is, but it’s impossible.
I grab my pillow and yank it closer, trying to get comfortable. Jasce’s steady breathing fills the room, but sleep evades me. My mind refuses to quiet, my thoughts crashing from one memory to another like relentless waves against a rocky shore. The fear in those men’s eyes as I unleashed Lyra’s magic. The horror in Emerin’s. The pain in Asha’s.
Minutes drag by, each one feeling like an eternity. I focus on the sound of Jasce’s breathing, trying to match my own to his slow, even rhythm. Gradually, the tension drains from my muscles, and my thoughts drift.
The memories fade, replaced by a hazy warmth that envelops me like a cocoon. I burrow deeper into the pillow, letting the exhaustion of the day finally claim me. As I hover on the edge of sleep, I feel Jasce’s presence beside me—solid, comforting, and somehow right.
With a soft sigh, I surrender to the pull of slumber, allowing myself to be carried away into a dreamless oblivion.
ChapterNineteen
ANNORA
I wake slowly,consciousness seeping in like the first rays of dawn. As my senses sharpen, I become aware of the solid warmth pressed against my back and the strong arm draped over my waist.
Jasce.
My eyes flutter open, and I find myself cradled in his embrace. For a moment, I consider pulling away, putting some distance between us, but then the memories of last night flood my mind. The way he had washed my hair. The care he took in untangling the knots, his touch so light and soothing.
Instead of retreating, I sink further into his arms. His steady heartbeat thrums against my back as I close my eyes again, letting the warmth of his body envelop me. The worries and doubts that plagued me last night fade away, replaced by a sense of contentment.
Jasce stirs behind me, his arm tightening around my waist as he nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck. I hold perfectly still, not wanting to break the spell of this moment.
