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I chuckle, slipping beneath his arm to journey down the steps. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
The mess hall is bustling with activity, the noise of conversation and clinking dishes filling the space. Sebastian guides me to a small table at the corner, ignoring the looks Zephyr, Smee, Nelvin, and Lorian give him when he chooses to set us at a table alone.
He pulls out my chair and takes a seat across from me, his gaze unwavering as he studies my face.
“What are you thinking about?” I ask, breaking the silence.
He leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. “You,” he says simply. “Food. It’s a pretty solemn space up there, and the two of those things sort of go hand in hand.”
My cheeks flush at his words, and I bite down on my lip to suppress a grin. “Well then...”
“I can’t stop thinking about what happened.” His voice drops to a low whisper, and my skin prickles.
“With the men?” I chide, glancing around to make sure no one is listening in.
“Aye. I still don’t know exactly who I can trust, but like I said before, please don’t leave the room alone. Zephyr is safe. I know that much.” He reaches across the table, taking my hand in his so he can stroke circles across my skin with his thumb.
“So that’s why you’re being like this...” I chew the inside of my lip.
“Like what?”
“Affectionate. You’re hoping one of them will crack, that it’ll clue you in on which of your friends aren’t on your side.”
He sat in the chair that allowed him to see the room, so he could watch them and analyze. It’s not because he wants to hold my hand or touch me. He’s doing it to get a rise out of someone. I take my hand back, setting it in my lap.
Sebastian’s gaze darts to mine before dropping to the table. The tick in his jaw making an appearance. “I love how smart you are... but I hate that you’re wounded by assumptions. Luckily, once the bond’s complete, that’ll subside, but until then, why don’t you ask your burning questions instead of assuming answers to them?”
“Fine. Are you touching me because you want to, or because you’re trying to find your mole?” I search his face, waiting for him to answer.
“Both. If it weren’t for the fact you’re hungry, and that it’s not safe for you here until I figure out who else is involved, I’d love nothing more than to be touching you right now, but I can assure you it wouldn’t be your hand. However, both of those things exist and I’m not sure I’ll be able to sleep until I figure it out.”
I nod, pursing my lips as I process. “If that’s the case, then holding my hand isn’t going to be as effective.”
“As effective as what?” A crease forms between his brow as he opens his hand, silently asking for me to give it back to him.
I stand from my seat, gracefully stepping around the table. His eyes track me, drinking me in. Stepping close to him, standing between his wide-stretched legs, I tip his chin, forcing his attention.
“It’s not as effective as you looking at me like you do behind closed doors. Let them see the way you kiss me. Show them that I’m yours, not a witch they should float. I guarantee someone will show it. You’ll find your traitor.”
His eyes gleam as he stares at me, like I’m the only thing in this room. Warm arms circle my back, pulling me closer, then his large hands slide down the length of my spine, palming my backside in his hands.
His gaze drops to my lips, and the lump in his throat bobs as he swallows hard. “Be careful what you wish for, darling. I might want you all to myself, but I’m not above letting them watch. So, if you kiss me, you better stay in control of your emotions, because if you don’t, I can’t promise what will happen next.”
Fingertips glide ever so softly up my side before his knuckles continue the way up my neck and over my cheek. The touch is feather-light and electrifying. I feel the tingling sensation spread like wildfire through my veins, setting my skin ablaze.
He chuckles darkly. “You’re already losing control, aren’t you? I can feel it slipping bit by bit.” Sebastian studies me for a moment, then a plate hits our table and I nearly launch out of my skin.
Clutching my hand to my heart, I find Zephyr and Lorian standing next to our table.
“Since you weren’t coming over there, and it looked like things were about to go down on this table, I thought you’d like the company,” the orc says, sliding two plates toward us. “And food.”
When I turn back to Sebastian, his cheeks have taken on an almost pink hue, and his lips are pressed together as if to keep from grinning like a madman. “Thank you, Zephyr. I appreciate that.”
Movement draws my eye and I catch Smee and Nelvin storming out of the mess hall. I guess that answers that question. It’s got to be one of them, but who’s going to tell Sebastian that? He’s close to his sister. The last thing he’ll believe is that she might be involved with what happened on the deck. He’ll need to figure that out for himself, assuming it’s true.
Sebastian uses his boot to kick out the seat beside him, silently telling me to sit. The moment my butt hits the chair, he grips it and slides it closer to him, handing me a fork. It’s quiet as the two of us eat, and I can feel the floorboards rattling as Zephyr bounces his leg.
He jerks in his seat, adjusting his posture before twirling a hand. “Alright, I’m just going to ask. Did you finish it?”
