The sprites suddenly shimmer and vanish with laughter, my brow furrowing.
“What’s wrong?” Korithax asks.
“That sprite just whispered something odd into my ear,” I respond in confusion.
“Ignore them. Sprites are known for being a little… crazy.”
We continue to walk hand in hand—for show, I remind myself— as the sky shifts to the soft colours of dusk, the realm quietening enough that the sound of tinkling water fills my ears. I close my eyes, inhaling slowly and letting the sounds and smells truly ground me. This place is magical. I can’t believe something like this exists, and people back at home have absolutely no idea. I had no idea, before today.
When we returnto the citadel, we’re escorted to a sprawling suite of glass and rippling silk canopies. A large floating bed sits in the middle of the room that looks as soft as a cloud.
Dinner is brought to us, strange and wondrous foods filling the table. Silver-fleshed fruits that taste like honeyed rain, sparkling wines that smell like fresh blooms, and meatsseasoned with something spicy that make my tongue feel like it’s been zapped with electricity.
After eating and drinking, filling the meal with small, awkward conversation, Korithax stands, muscles flexing under his black shirt.
“I’m going to go shower, make yourself comfortable.” He says, vanishing through a door at the other side of the room.
I walk over to one of the large glass windows, looking out at the realm in front of me. It truly was a sight to be seen. Ezra would love it here; Talia, however, would think it’s pretentious and would make some form of back-handed compliment about Virena. I smile despite the lingering ache in my chest. I wonder if they’ve got my letters yet. I hope they weren’t angry at me. I hope they understood why I left, and that they were happy for me that I had an escape from my messed-up reality.
Korithax returns sometime later, a towel slung low across his hips, droplets of water clinging to his skin. I stare, wide-eyed, unable to look away at his immaculate body. The way his muscles move as he walks, my eyes snagging on the deep V that disappears beneath the towel. Holy demon.
“Go shower,” he says gruffly. “We have a long day tomorrow. There’s a pack in the bathroom that’s enchanted. Call out what you need.”
I nod, darting into the bathroom, feeling my cheeks blazing from seeing him in just a towel. He looked utterly divine, his wet hair hanging by his ridiculously large shoulders. The way the water droplets trickled their way down the grooves of his abs. God’s, even his horns looked sexy wet. Clearly, I needed a cold shower.
The bathroom is a fantasy in itself. Floors of smooth sapphire stone that glisten under the natural light of the room, with a huge waterfall shower that takes up most of the space. I strip down and step under the warm water, sighing as it hits my skin.The soaps smell like summer rain, and the shampoo makes my hair feel like silk between my fingers.
When I’m finished, I wrap myself in possibly the softest towel I’ve ever felt, and approach the pack that’s been left on the vanity. He said to call out what I need, like that made any freaking sense.
“Uhhh, nightgown?” I whisper, crinkling my nose. I feel like an absolute fool.
My eyes widen as the bag glows faintly. Hesitantly I reach inside, and my hand lands on something soft. I pull it out, revealing a bundle of delicate white silk. It’s a short, lace trimmed gown with matching lace panties.
My face flames, holding out the thin piece of fabric in front of me. “Lyvia, I’m going to strangle you when I see you,” I mutter under my breath.
Chapter 26
Korithax
Idry myself off quickly, tugging on a fresh pair of black silk pants, not bothering with a shirt.
A very, very small part of me enjoyed the way Daisy reacted when my body was on show. Her little mortal heart probably isn’t used to seeing many seven-foot, muscled, tattooed men. And despite the fact that there’s something extremely different about my little flower, she is but a woman with eyes. I wasn’t stupid; I knew I was what the mortals would call ‘hot’, and even though I had large horns curling from my skull, and eyes blacker than night, clearly, I was attractive in her eyes too.
I’m picking at some of the leftover food on the tray when I hear the soft creak of the bathroom door. She slowly walks in, muttering to herself quietly enough that even I can’t hear what she’s saying. I look up to see what’s wrong and pause mid-bite.
Gods above and below.
She’s wrapped in a white nightgown that stops mid-thigh, delicate lace tracing the V of her neckline. Her damp blonde hair clings to her skin, tiny beads of water running down hercollarbone. Her cheeks are flushed, and she’s nervously biting her lower, full blush-pink lip.
“Apparently, Lyvia thinks that this is appropriate bed attire.” She mutters, blushing as she tries to dry her hair off with a towel.
I stare, frozen in place, my hands dropping the bread to curl into tight fists at my side. I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from her. She looks up at me, noticing my lack of response, and I quickly offer a frown and clear my throat.
“Here,” I manage, walking toward her and taking the towel from her hands. My voice comes out rough. “Let me dry your hair. My hands will be quicker than the towel. Go sit on that chair over there.”
She hesitates, her eyes trailing slowly up my body. I internally scoff at the obvious way she’s eying my body. She obeys my demand, padding across the room to the chair by the window. I watch her go, the back of the night gown swaying on a phantom breeze with each step, barely covering the curve of her ass. I bite my knuckles as I watch every single step she takes towards the chair.
“I’m going to kill you, Lyvia,” I mutter under my breath.
