Page 78 of Elysian

My hands slid down his chest, pushing open the front of the linen tunic. Sweat glistened on his bare chest and sunlight beat down on his pale skin.

“You have done well.” The compliment that came from his lips was stilted and awkward.

It also struck me mute. I did not believe he had ever complimented me. I pulled back, stepping away. He reached for the reins, rubbing his palm over Abrax’s mane with sounds of praise.

His abdomen rippled with every little movement. With him standing, guiding the horse by the lead, I couldn’t rip my focus away from him. He guided Abrax back next to the well and tied him up. Here, Abrax was not within view if anyone came to the estate. The muscled frame turned toward me . . .

My eyes flew back to his, and the amusement in them heated my face. One of his brows winged up. Whirling, I strode in the direction we came from. Fortunately for me, Cassiel had cut a clear path.

“No need to run.” His sweet breath tickled my ear. I stifled a shiver and hurried, the sound following me.

If he truly wanted, he would catch up to me, but he seemed to be taking his time. I reached the front door and entered the parlor.

“Amara,” he called, the tone verging on mocking. He grabbed my wrist, stopping me. I looked up at him, panting. “I have something for you.”

My eyes dropped to the velvet box in his palm. He lifted the wrist he held and pushed the box onto my hand.

“What is this?”

“A small gift.”

My mouth hung open before I clamped it closed. I tensed my fingers so I didn’t open the box, refusing to do it before him. I lifted my chin.

“Who did you filch it from?” I asked, hearing the odd tone in my voice.

“I left coin behind at the shop.” He neared more and his leather and ink scent filled my senses, dizzily. “I thought it would suit your beauty.” He tucked my hair behind my ear.

I had no words. I blinked down at the velvet box in my palm.

“I must finish the translations for the wraithling information,” I said, voice tight, rushing away and hugging the box. He chuckled again.

“I will bathe,” he called.

Words caught in the tightness of my throat.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Romancing

Ilay across the settee in the entrance parlor, battling against nausea. After waking moments ago, I peeked past my lashes, but the dusklight spearing through the curtains burned so fiercely that I quickly shut them again. Dusklight was much more faint than any other part of the eve. I must have pushed myself too much.

A hand on my foot jolted me awake. Cassiel stared at me where he sat at the end of the settee. A fur blanket covered me, all except for my feet which were currently sitting on his lap. I would have known he was there if I hadn’t been seized by pain. I rubbed the cold spot on my breastbone.

Another wave of nausea rolled through me. I groaned.

“You should not have continued,” Cassiel chastised.

His hand on my foot tightened, stopping my retreat. His fingertips pressed into the bottom of my foot. I kept stiff, but the ministrations were relaxing. I begrudgingly kept my foot there, accepting the rub.

“We need too many answers for me not to translate.” He remained quiet. “We need to know how this Elysian Pair situation functions and how Warlords are made.” I exhaled. “Did you see that Lord Vaner had the Hollow Plague?”

He stopped rubbing my foot.

“What?” he said sharply.

“When I cut into his shoulder, I saw his flesh. It’s not something that can be mistaken.” I kept my eyes closed.

“That must have been why he wanted to leave the body.”