“Go slower.” Evren scooted closer. “Like this.”
Gently, his fingers gripped her forearm. The heat of his touch seared through her ivory sweater, but she held her wits about her. Giving him the silent approval he sought. His fingers widened their grip around her arm, and he slowly straightened it for her.
The pain shot back through her elbow, but this time, the intensity was less. More bearable. Further and further, he stretched her arm, his fingers delicate yet firm, until it was completely straight in front of her.
“How is the pain now?” Evren asked, his hand still upon her arm.
“It’s okay,” Tallulah whispered. Her heart slamming against her chest was more painful than her arm. Her memories reminded her of how his hands felt in her hair, on her skin.
“Okay.” Evren dropped his hand and placed both of them in his lap. “We’ll keep working on it, a few more days, and I’m sure the pain will cease completely. You’ll be good as new.”
He smiled, his eyes crinkling slightly at the corners, the freckles across his cheeks spreading. Perhaps his comment should ease her somehow. Reassure her that her arm wasn’t a total waste. But all it did was remind her they were not friends, and that she was to be his prisoner.
Her magick was still silent, the poison from the arrow snuffing it out. She imagined it’d be several more weeks before she regained any control. And Evren knew it. She was defenseless. Was this his plan? To get her to trust him so she’d be more compliant to leave?
Her body stiffened at his closeness. At his eyes watching her. At his hand, still so close to her body.
Evren scooted just a bit further away, as if sensing her discomfort. “What is it? Have we pushed it too far?”
His brows creased and Tallulah hadn’t the slightest clue why. Was he jesting with her?
“Enough games.” She stood abruptly from the sofa.
“Games?” Evren recoiled back before standing from the sofa as well.
“Yes.” She backed up until her body hit the workbench. “Enough with the niceties. You and I are notfriends, Evren. Stop acting like it.”
Confusion contorted his face as he retook his seat on the sofa.
“If you’re to take me to Valebridge as your prisoner, just get it over with. Just please, stop this act.” She wished she could use her magick right now. She would tie him up again with ivy and leave him for the snow to claim.
But deep down, she knew she didn’t want that. She didn’t want to hurt him. She certainly didn’t want him to die. But what was it she wanted?
Almost two weeks trapped here with this hunter proved more confusing than anything she’d ever experienced. Surely, if there wasn’t a handsome bounty tied to her head, Evren would’ve killed her already.
He watched her intently, the crease between his brows lessening and the brightness of his green eyes returning. But still, he said nothing.
Tallulah tapped her foot, the quiet bringing forth her anxiousness.
“So?” She crossed her arms. “Are you taking me to Valebridge today?”
At that, Evren stood and took a step forward. Then another. And another until he was right in front of her. She’d bury her face in his chest if he stepped any closer, so she tilted her head upwards to meet his face.
He stretched his hand, brushing lightly against hers.
“Not today, Enchantress.”
She sucked in a sharp breath at the contact, but before she could say anything more, he turned away and left.
* * *
Evren was absolutely wastingtime and he knew it. He also knew the Enchantress would get her magick back any week now. The poison from the arrow would wear and, with her magick back, he didn’t stand a chance against her if she tried anything.
And she would use it against him the first moment she could. Wouldn’t she?
He wouldn’t blame her if she did. Wouldn’t fight her. He deserved it for what he’d done to the six Enchantresses before her. For what he planned to do with her. What was he doing here? Why was he stalling? He knew damn well she was in good enough shape for King Roman, sowhywas he still here?
“You’re helpless.” He slouched down, planting himself firmly against the outer wall of the greenhouse. The air stung his cheeks and bit the top of his ears. He shouldn’t stay out long.
