AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I look over my shoulder and frown at Rune’s scowl. He looks ready to fight and be an asshole. “Rune, can you head back to the High Court?”
His response is immediate. My tattoo heats.
“No.”
I look back at Kastian and shrug. “He’s coming too.”
* * *
Kastian holds my hand as we walk into a bathhouse near the north end of Nesbrim. My eyes widen and take it all in. The front looks like most of the other shops—stones and ivy with snow shoveled off the path to the front doors. A warm light glows from the lamppost right outside the entrance.
“A bathhouse?” I mumble and my brows knit together with confusion.
Kastian squeezes my hand tighter. “Not quite.” A smile plays at his lips and mischief lingers in his gaze. What the heck is he up to now?
Rune looks absolutely pissed and I wish his telepathy worked both ways so I could tell him to knock it off.
“This is a hot spring,”he sends to my mind and my cold bones shiver with excitement.
Oh gods, I could use a good soaking.
We enter and I’m hit with a wave of lavender aroma and steam. It’s overwhelmingly amazing and I’m clenching my fists to stop myself from jumping up and down.
The ceilings are tall and arched at the top. It’s like we stepped through a portal or something, because behind the cement walls and floor-to-ceiling glass ahead is an entire mountainside of steaming pools. My jaw drops and I let Kastian deal with the front desk employee as I venture over to the glass to get a better look.
Itisa mountain! Gods, did Violet make this too? It’s wonderful… The night sky is clear above and stars shimmer welcomingly. Wherever this is, it’s not in Nesbrim—the snowstorm is still raging outside here.
My tattoo warms.“The glass is created by the Gremitie, creatures of the sea. They are versed in spatial magic that can bring large locations anywhere the glass is.”Rune stands next to me and keeps his red eyes on the stars as I do.
“Naminé told me… and Violet is one. She made this place, didn’t see?” I shift my eyes to the warm pools and can already feel them warming my body.
“Yup.”Rune leans against me a little more and I’m soaking it all in.
I hear Kastian thank the Moss Sparrow employee and turn to watch him walk over to us. He sets his palm on the glass and an outline of the glass door takes shape as he presses it open.
The world beyond the glass consumes me and I’m smiling from ear to ear. Kastian leans in and presses a kiss to my forehead. “Let’s go have some fun.” His voice sounds weary and his eyes look sunken. I think he could use this as much as I do.
I press my hand to his cheek. “Are you okay? You look really tired.”
His fangs graze my palm as he presses kisses along it and heat spreads through me. He glances up at me and nods. “Couldn’t be better, now that I’m with you.”
He obviously doesn’t want me pushing it further as he nudges me forward into the world beyond the glass. Kastian steps in behind me but Rune remains on the other side.
My heart races—at least I get to spend a little time with my sweet Kastian.
I let him take the lead and he starts on the path up the mountain. The incline is steep but I keep at his side. Our feathers touch and mingle as we silently walk.
He stops at a beautiful turquoise pool. The ground is an alluring white rock that I originally thought was snow. The plants that grow on the edges of the pool are sage-colored and iridescent in the starlight.
I look at Kastian as he sheds his coat and pulls his black shirt over his head too. My eyes immediately drink him in. His muscles are taut and the familiar tan scars still stride up his torso and arms. I let my eyes linger over him as he removes his pants next and is completely naked before me.
My perfect God of Death.
He raises a playful brow at me and nods to the pool. “Well? Are you just going to watch me enjoy this or are you getting in too?” His sun-kissed skin shimmers in the moonlight and I’m lost as I stare at his iridescent white hair. He tilts his head. “Elodie?”
I nod slowly. “I’m getting in. It’s just… so crazy that we’re here together, isn’t it?” I mumble as I slip my white cloak off and start to pull my sweater over my head. I toss it to the ground and watch him closely. “Tell me what Violet wants from you, Kastian.”
His eyes flick down to my bare breasts as I step out of my pants and underwear. He doesn’t give anything away in his expression, but I can see the pain and weariness in his eyes.
