“You can open your eyes, Ellowyn. It’s quite a compliment, really. Though you may want to do something about the, uh, nightgown you’re holding.” His words were careful, and I popped one eye open. Torin’s left hand was grasping his neck as he stared at my thighs before glancing away quickly.
My thighs?
Both of my eyes flew open, and I stared in abject horror at the skin my nightgown exposed. In my fascination with the colors and Torin’s sudden appearance, I failed to realize that the hand holding my bunched nightgown slowly crept higher until it barely covered the apex of my thighs.
I let the nightgown go in a rush before burying my face in my hands, my hair falling in a curtain around me, hiding my shame.
“This is beyond embarrassing,” I said, my words muffled. Torin only laughed.
“Come now, it’s okay. You weren’t expecting company, clearly, and it’s not the first time I’ve seen a woman’s thighs.” He grinned cheekily.
I pulled my head from my hands and shot him a look full of ire and disgust.
“Really? You’re going to admit that to your betrothed?” I spat.
He blanched, blinking quickly.
“I figured you would, uh, have had similar experiences but with men?”
I stared at him blankly before shaking my head once.
“Women?” he asked with a slight wince.
I shook my head again.
“Ah, well, I see. I’ll just uhm, let that go for now.” His cheeks were pink, and he seemed thoroughly embarrassed, though I couldn’t shake the strange feeling in my chest.
Jealousy? Inadequacy?
I couldn’t quite place it, but I knew I didn’t like it.
“It was important to my parents that I be . . . pure,” I finally answered and Torin cocked his head.
“So, your brother was allowed to experience life, as were the other ladies of court, I’d imagine, but you were locked up tight like some ancient princess.” His words were careful, and I missed his playful nature.
I shrugged my shoulders. “Pretty much. Not like there was much opportunity forthatanyway.”
His brow furrowed, and I quickly changed the subject, not wanting to discuss my inexperience.
“What did you mean when you said you haven’t discovered what that”—I pointed to the sky—“is yet? Have you . . . been here before? And why have I never seen you?”
Torin frowned for another moment before visibly shaking himself and pondering my questions.
“Yes, I’ve been here before. I honestly didn’t think that anyone else could access this place, but clearly those thoughts were wrong. I’m happy to see you can, though.”
I hummed slightly.
“What do you think it means?” I asked, tilting my head to look at the sky again. I heard him shift behind me as he took a few measured steps, so he was standing even with me, and his face also tilted toward the storm. He smelled like sunshine and something sharper, and I wanted his scent to envelope me completely.
I tried to take deep breaths without him noticing, but the slight quirk of his lips told me that I failed. Thankfully, he didn’t mention it.
“I’m not sure,” he finally said, “but I have an idea at least.”
I pulled my eyes from the sky and watched him.
“You emerged as a Creation Mage, right? Both pillars illuminated when youAwakened?” I gave him a jerky nod, surprised that he knew that when I couldn’t find him after my ceremony.
“I suspect that you have more than just Creation Magic, then,” he admitted, finally turning to face me. “And you can pull on it without a Vessel or crystals.” His eyes were such an arresting shade of hazel—like molten honey that I wanted to bathe in, flecked with a forest I wanted to get lost in.
