Why?
Why in this situation, with every sensible thought warning her this should feel improper and uncomfortable… did she still feel safe with him?
That truth unsettled her more deeply than the sight of him disrobing ever could.
Kaelan paused briefly at the water’s edge, his gaze lingering upon her turned back and the pale curve of her shoulder barely visible through drifting steam.
This had not been a wise decision. He knew that.
Every instinct within him already strained dangerously enough where Bria was concerned without trapping himself beside her in a secluded cave while she sat half-hidden in glowing water looking far too tempting for his own peace of mind.
Yet allowing her to remain here alone had ceased being an option the moment unease settled beneath his skin after she left. Something about Driochmor felt restless today. And Bria remained far too trusting of shadows.
So, he had followed. Necessary or not, wisdom had little place left where she was concerned.
Kaelan stepped into the water at last. Warmth closed instantly around him as he moved deeper into the glowing pool, the soft ripples spreading gently toward her.
Bria remained stubbornly turned away.
A faint smile touched his mouth. “You may look now.”
Her breath caught softly at the sound of his voice so near behind her.
Bria turned slowly at last, though she remained safely within the deeper shadows of the glowing pool where drifting steam concealed some of her from view.
Not that it eased her awareness of him.
Kaelan stood several feet away, the silver light beneath the water gliding across the hard lines of his chest and shoulders, while dark damp hair rested against his neck. Steam curled lazily around him, softening little of the strength in his broad frame.
Bria immediately lowered her gaze before he could notice how deeply the sight unsettled her.
“We should speak of what comes next,” she said quickly, clinging tightly to the safer subject.
Kaelan watched her quietly a moment before nodding once. “Aye.”
Relief loosened faintly within her, directing the discussion to something practical, sensible. Anything but the dangerous awareness growing between them every time they found themselves alone.
Bria drew her knees slightly closer beneath the water. “We should seek out this council Kilham spoke of. If anyone can help us find our way home, surely it would be them.”
Kaelan’s expression gave little away, though his gaze drifted briefly toward the cave entrance before returning to her.
“That can wait.”
Bria frowned softly. “Wait?”
“I still need to track the beast.”
The reminder instantly tightened the fragile calm she had begun finding in the warmth of the cave.
“Kaelan…” She hesitated carefully. “You speak of finding him as though it matters more than leaving Driochmor itself.”
“It does.”
The blunt honesty of the answer startled her.
Bria studied him carefully through the drifting steam. “Why?”
Kaelan remained silent too long.
