Page 160 of Scars Beneath a Serpent’s Scales

Falliare’s instructions melted together as she slipped beneath the darkness again, but she wanted to talk to him. To ask him if this meant she’d be transferred to Valyn finally.

She couldn’t help the grief that clenched her heart at the idea of it. And the feeling that while she knew she had to go—the satisfaction at finally getting what she’d worked so long for—she’d be leaving so much more behind.

By the time she traipsed into the bathing chamber in the apartment and stood before the mirror, her head was entirely clear, but there was a cocktail of emotion in her stomach. Shock and fear. Elation at finally getting her transfer. And mourning over…

Roremar’s image swam into view in the mirror, grey eyes tracing every line of her stoic expression. She had the impression of him seeing right through her, like she was made of glass.

He stepped closer, and greedily, she leaned into his warmth at her back.

“Are you all right?” Roremar asked. She swallowed, and his gaze tracked the bob of her throat in the mirror, his eyes a brand on every inch of her skin.

“Yes,” she whispered.

Because she should be. Soon, she’d be off to Valyn. The killer would be found any day now, and Lyra would be safer.

The swirling in her gut didn’t calm with that knowledge.

Roremar took a step closer. “Truly?”

“Back to normal,” she breathed, biting her lip to keep from saying more, giving him more pieces she couldn’t afford to lose. But with Roremar, they all slipped through her fingers.

Gently, he reached around her, pressing his thumb to her bottom lip and tugging it from between her teeth. In the mirror, his eyes tracked the motion like it was the most addictive sight he’d ever seen.

Stars, she nearly panted from that one touch. Was tempted to let him closer.

That’s what Roremar was for her—temptation, and all the things she couldn’t indulge. As he assessed her, she knew he saw her in a way she wasn’t ready for. But Fates, after all they’d been through and with how little time was left, she just wanted to give in.

Spinning, Emmeline pressed back against the counter, looking up into eyes turning more silver by the second. Tonight, it made her think of the stars and all the secrets she gave up to them.

And she realized that while it scared her, she did want to give more to him.

Holding Roremar’s daring stare, Emmeline untied the knot securing her top. The cotton unwound, falling open at her ribs so her breasts were on display, nothing beneath the thin fabric.

Roremar’s gaze dragged over her, her nipples peaking at his attention.

“What are you doing?” he asked, voice husky.

“I want…” Her words trailed off, need clogging her throat.

Roremar lifted a brow, one corner of his lips quirking up. “What is it that you want, Emmeline?” He took a step closer, confirmation that whatever it was, if it was in his power, he’d give it to her. “Tell me.”

With those two words, her blood ignited.

And the rest of the world fell away.

There were so many things she could have said. So many ways he could take her, to make her forget for one fucking night about all the reasons they shouldn’t do this. People close to her ended up dead, but she was leaving soon now.

He wouldn’t be close for long.

And it was that realization that made her whisper, “I want to remember.”

“Remember what?”

“This.” Whatever this fire was between them. She couldn’t keep it, but she never wanted to forget it.

“And you want me to help you with that?” The silver in his eyes scorched through her, the scar above his lip twitching. She wanted to know what it tasted like. What every part of him tasted like.

“Yes,” she breathed.