Her signature grin lifted the edge of her lips. “I guess we’ll just have to cuddle then,” she said.
While Ethenn’s imagination conjured less than chaste thoughts of such behavior, Ilain left him standing there and climbed under the blankets. Since the bed was pushed into the corner of the room, she lay with her back against the wall, providing ample room for him on the outer edge.
Ethenn hesitated, unsure of what to do. Usually, he slept in his shirt alone, as was the habit of most Ephrian men. But with Ilain next to him, he wasn’t sure he cared to be so...free. So he kept his trousers on, not bothering to remove his shirt either.
With a deep breath of courage, Ethenn joined Ilain under the blankets. It took a good deal of shifting to get comfortable, and he wasn’t sure whether he should be elated or uncomfortable with the way her body pressed into his side. He kept his arms and hands to himself, but still, she snuggled against him as though this was perfectly normal behavior for them.
Ethenn stared at the crimson canopy over their heads, Ilain’s breath heating his collar as his neck burned with a blush. Her feet first only brushed his, then stayed tucked against his soles. It was difficult sharing a pillow, but somehow, they managed. Her hair tickled his cheek.
“This isn’t exactly cuddling,” Ilain whispered, the words overly loud right next to his ear.
“I’m not very good at that,” he admitted.
“What is there to be good at? You just do it.”
“I don’t.”
“You live a sad life.”
That he did.
“And who have you been cuddling with?” he asked in a manner somewhere between agitated and playful. “I thought you were beyond reproach.”
“I am,” she returned. “My family is very affectionate.”
Ethenn snorted. “No, that doesn’t make sense.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m trying to picture Auden cuddling with anyone, and it just doesn’t work.”
She poked his side, and he jerked, turning into her involuntarily. “My brother may be an academic bore, but he has the most loving heart you’ll ever know.”
“I’ll take your word for it.” Ethenn shifted, trying not to notice the press of her chest against his arm.
She set her chin on his shoulder. “You’re supposed to put your arm around me, you know.”
Ethenn shook his head. “That’s not a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“Do you remember me saying I’m not very honorable?”
“And what? You’re going to force yourself on me?” She scoffed. “Trust me, if you try to take too many liberties, I’m perfectly capable of punishing you.”
“Of that, I have no doubt.” He grinned up at the canopy, unwilling to look at her, their faces disconcertingly close. “But it isn’t your modesty I’m trying to protect.”
“You saw me in my chemise. What modesty do I have left?”
“Very little,” he said, proud of himself for being brave enough to tease her. “I’m not concerned about you, Ilain. I’m protecting myself.”
“Oh,” she murmured, seeming to understand.
Over their travels, Ethenn’s attraction to Ilain had grown from infatuation to an unrequited love. Now, it burned with a full desire that was growing difficult to contain. Sleeping next to her was one thing. Embracing her, touching her, kissing her—those were cruel taunts on his psyche that he couldn’t withstand.
Gently, cautiously, Ilain rested her hand on his chest. Even with the fabric between them, the touch sent spirals of energycoursing through him, tugging on the magic that rested beneath his skin. “Ethenn,” she whispered.
“Hm?”
