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Faye glanced up at Rune. “Is it supposed to do that?”
“I thought you would prefer privacy,” he said.
“You’ve already seen everything.”
“It does not mean I am entitled to continue doing so.”
Faye stood and said, “I would like it if you washed my hair.”
Rune leaned in the doorway and turned his head to face into his room. He didn’t look like the Shadow Prince, standing before her barefoot, wearing a robe over his slacks. He was Rune, the man beneath his title and power.
She turned her back to him, and his dark sheet slipped down her body and gathered around her feet. Faye stepped into his bath, lowering herself. The hot water soaked into her. Easing her muscle aches and leaving a tingling sensation on her skin, her head rested on the lip of the tub.
“You can turn around now,” Faye said, not sure what to make of the man she woke next to. Was his kindness charity because he hadn’t been able to hold her over the Darkness? When he deemed them even, would they return to what they were before?
Their strange truce left them both tense and frustrated.
Something clicked behind her, and Faye glanced up. He sat at the head of the tub and stretched his arm out, neatly rolling the sleeve of the robe. Muscles and tendons shifted along his forearm as he worked his sleeves into a cuff near his elbows.
His fingers threaded through the back of her thick black hair, reminding her of the way he’d kissed her and pulled the sash of her robe open last night. Faye closed her eyes as he guided her down, lowering her into the bath. He caressed the nape of her neck and Faye’s lips parted.
Rune wet her hair, his thumb brushing over her temple to trace her hairline before smoothing behind her ear. She leaned back when he guided her up, and said, “Thank you for this.”
“I will endeavor to be kinder with you,” he said as a sweet floral scent washed over her. Faye sighed as his hands glided through her hair. Rune brushed his thumbs over her temples and added, “I recall promising to be better behaved in person.”
Faye kept her expression relaxed. He’d never spoken of the dreams they shared. The way she leaned on him, reading her books. Safe and warm in his arms. Her mind wandered to their last dream, where he kissed her. Touched her like something he treasured.
And she’d sank her claws into his neck.
“I’m sorry I dug my claws in your neck,” Faye said, glancing up at him.
He chuckled above her, flashing her a glimpse of fang. “Your temperament is suited for my kind.”
Faye mulled over his words. Was he flirting with her? Faye had trouble holding her thoughts. Darkness, his fingers were bliss on her scalp. Rune lowered her into the water again, rinsing her hair.
She stared up at him, lazy and content. Whatever he put in this bath was better than the hot spring. Nothing hurt, and her skin hummed with pleasure. Rune met her gaze and she asked, “What are we doing?”
He canted his head and lowered his brow for a moment then answered, “Whatever you wish,” and lifted her head up.
“Is this because we fell? You’re working off some guilt?”
“No,” he said quietly. Veined shadows crept from the corners of his eyes. “I wish to pursue you romantically.”
Faye froze, her mind blanking. She hadn’t dared to think he would want anything deeper with her. She was sure he would leave her bed when morning came but woke in his instead. She grasped for a subject to fill the silence she let grow between them and eyed the swaying misted shadows beneath his eyes. “Is Voshki awake?”
He was silent for a beat, then said, “There are few moments when it is not.” Faye brightened, and Rune thinned his lips. “It would seem I am ill-suited to compete with the creature.”
Faye looked away, feeling guilty for wanting the Ra’Voshnik inside him. Taking the parts she wanted and discarding the rest. The very reason she despised dark-bloods who would do the same to her.
“I treated you ill and have much to mend between us,” Rune said, caressing the side of her neck. “I shall if you would allow me to.”
Hope and hesitation filled her in the same instance. Faye hadn’t allowed men to engage her. Choosing to abstain rather than hurt, Voshki wouldn’t hurt her. Faye was sure he loved her. This kind and considerate side of Rune made him nearly irresistible, but could she trust him? “How does this work with… both of you?”
Rune’s jaw tensed. “I am untried in these situations. In private, I could allow your Voshki to rise. I will warn you. The creature speaks too often and is quite opinionated.”
Faye giggled. “I would like that.”
He gave her a curious glance and said, “If this suits you, are you willing to accept my advances?”
