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Two lounge chairs were placed next to the spring. Faye and Sparrow arranged the larger rocks to border the spring, and Vash even built seating for them in the water.
Faye untied her robe, dropping it in a pile along with Sparrow on one of the lounge chairs.
Steam rose from the clear blue water. The plants and small trees surrounding the spring were green year round. Even on the coldest winter day, this little clearing stayed warm and comfortable.
Sparrow, still a cat, crouched at the edge of the spring dipping her paw into it. She backed up and took a running start before leaping into the water. She turned into a woman mid-air and cannonballed into the water. At the last moment, Faye grabbed her book, holding it to her chest as she turned her back to Sparrow’s splash.
Standing, Sparrow pushed her hair out of her face. “This water is so nice.”
“You’re splashing the food and my book hooker.”
Sparrow fluttered her hand at her as she made her way to the seating area in the spring. “I’ll still eat it.”
Faye tucked her book safely under her robe before she pulled off her boots. She tied her hair up in a bun and waded into the water. The heat seeped into her as she ran her fingers over the surface of the water.
Faye sat next to Sparrow, laying her head back on a smooth stone. Listening to the wind rustling the leaves far above them.
Sparrow elbowed her, and Faye gave her a sideways glance, not wanting to move.
“Have you seen his,” Sparrow gave a short whistle and stuck out her index and middle finger, “Yet?”
“No.”
Sparrow eyed her suspiciously. “Do you close your eyes the whole time?”
Faye lifted her hand out of the water to make a rude gesture. “No.”
“They’re supposed to be trained in pleasing women when they serve in the dark courts. And your Shadow Prince belongs to a really dark court. I bet he got some really nice training.”
Faye laughed, sitting up. She rolled her neck, popping a crick. “I’m surprised you haven’t volunteered.”
“I would. Vashien won’t give me the details.”
“Vash served in a dark court?” Faye thought he’d always owned his tavern, Lost and Found.
Sparrow waved her hand. “Long time ago, centuries before us.”
Vash looked to be in his early thirties. It was easy to forget he lived for hundreds of years.
Faye stared at the steam rising from the water. “Do you ever get worried?”
Sparrow raised her eyebrows.
Faye turned toward her then. “That Vash will leave when you age?”
Sparrow crossed her legs, leaning forward. “First, we’re only twenty-five. We might still be immortal. I just haven’t aged to my most beautiful yet.” Sparrow flicked her hair, turning her head to the side. “And second, I can’t control Vash. If he leaves me, it’s his loss, and my memories will haunt him for the rest of his undying life.”
Faye couldn’t imagine being in Sparrow’s place. She pretended the rejections and dismissals didn’t matter to her, but in truth, they stung, cutting deep.
She had no emotional investment with the men who dismissed her after a single glance—actually giving her heart away? Out of the question. She would be too vulnerable. The potential for pain was more than she could bear.
Love meant giving another person the tools to destroy you and hoping they don’t. A gamble Faye wasn’t willing to take. Especially with an immortal. She would age, and they would leave.
While Sparrow, through her memory, would haunt the men she left. Faye was an Anarian. There was no reason to stay with her. If Faye gave her heart away, she would be the one haunted.
Bits of water struck Faye’s face.
“Bitch, I don’t know what you’re thinking about but stop it.” Sparrow flicked more water at her.
