And Theo. Ren has kept tabs on him since he was given to King Elion a month ago. Thankfully, I was right in my assumption of how Theo would remain unharmed… for now. Last we heard, he was working in the kitchens with the rest of the staff while also training with some of the orphans in the brotherhood.
My thoughts begin to spiral, leading me down an endless path of chaos whirling in my head. Breath catches in my throat, feeling as though I can hardly breathe. With a shaky exhale, I find the courage to saunter down the steps even though my turmoil continues to simmer.
My steps remain light as I walk to the kitchenette for water,just past the bathing chamber. That’s when I notice the door was left slightly ajar.
I arch a brow with a hum, curiosity getting the best of me when I slow my pace. A quick glance through the small gap in the door has my steps faltering, falling silent as I’m suddenly captivated by the massive king before me.
Dammit, I shouldn’t have stopped.
My lip pulls between my teeth as I study him. With his back to me, he rinses in the tub before dropping his head. His arm reaches across his back, scrubbing himself.
I can’t help but stare, practically breathless, as the muscles feather and ripple with each movement. I’m captivated by every strong muscle on his body in the soft lighting of the chamber.
Ink snakes up his neck, and I can’t help but become dazed at the sight of him. My eyes drift when I notice it—just beneath the damp strands of his dark auburn hair, located at the nape of his neck.
Is that what I think it is?
My breath hitches, freezing at the sight of it.
But he must sense me because his movements come to an abrupt halt, stopping mid-scrub.
The stone wall beside me suddenly hits my back, hiding me as I clamp my eyes shut. My chest thumps erratically, adrenaline shooting through me even in my attempt to control my breathing. Only it’s not slowing.
Water suddenly sloshes, hitting the floor in loud splatters, probably due to him standing.
“Isa,” he calls out.
My eyes fly open, and I force myself to grasp any sort of composure while I remain against the wall. Slowing my breathing, I grasp the mask of the assassin beneath the surface and turn the corner. A forced, tight smile lines my mouth just as he wraps a towel around his waist. Water drips down his muscled chest when I meet his gaze.
“I didn’t mean to leave the door open… What did you see?” he asks warily, scanning my face for any sign of recognition or betrayal perhaps.
Because that’s what it feels like at this moment—betrayal. He chose not to tell me. Not that he owes me anything, but after what we’ve shared together these last few weeks… it hurts a little.
His eyes narrow slightly, as if he’s bracing for the worst possible reaction from me. Water drips from his lashes, landing on the curve of his scarred lip. Though I remain silent, unable to form the right words.
My eyes flick behind him to the mirror, spotting the black patch behind his right ear, confirming what I saw just a moment ago. I realize that all this time I’ve never truly seen the back of his head, not really.
Not to mention, it looks as if it was cut shorter than the rest of his hair, like he was intentionally hiding it.
Hismark.
41
My eyes shift backto his face, heart racing, keeping my expression neutral. Though I’m not sure I’m doing a good enough job as my pulse pounds in my ears. He frantically reaches for his tunic, but I’m already bolting for the door.
“Isa, wait! Please, I was going to tell you.”
“Tell me?” I whirl around, and he skids to a stop, pulling on his pants. “Tell me what, Rydian, that you have a mate mark? Who does it belong to?”
I attempt to view the right side of his neck when he shoves my hands away and then smirks, causing my anger to rise to a frightening level. My hands heat, power suddenly surging.
“Are you jealous, little fawn?” He laughs. “You won’t tell me how you feel but you’re jealous of mymark?” He shakes his head, like he has any right to be angry.
“I’m not jealous.”
“No? What is it, then?”
Shock tears through me. “You could have… told me when we talked in the cave. When we talked about them, but you didn’t. Before we started whatever this is between us?—”
