AllFreeNovel
Share Us
With a sigh, I peeled off the thick leather one finger at a time, my heart dropping into my stomach at the sight of the naked flesh. No matter how much time had passed, I’d never get used to it.
Raised welts rose up from my palms. They graced the back of my hands, each finger touched with the same harsh onyx and blue lines that spread across me like sickly veins.
Wasting no more precious time feeling sorry for myself, I padded to the edge of the pool, lowering onto the first rocky step. The opaque waters were warm, effervescent bubbles traversing along the perimeter as the filter whirred.
My lips curved into a hesitant smile—my first true smile of the day—and I drifted down the tapered stairs, wading through the water until it reached my shoulders. I let out a contented groan.
My life had gone to shit, but at least I’d be clean.
Taking my time washing, I mercilessly scrubbed each inch of my body, using my nails in places where the mud refused to part. Once satisfied I’d rid myself of the foul stench of the road, I turned to my hair, lathering the cheap soap and kneading my scalp.
I lingered underwater longer than necessary when rinsing my hair, relishing the eerie silence. My heart thundered in my ears, the only sound in the murky stillness. Down there, I could imagine I was back home with Liam and Micah and my favorite stretch of woods. Beneath the safety of the water, I could pretend nothing had changed, even if change was all I’d yearned for.
My lungs refused to let me fantasize for long.
Bursting to the surface, I sucked in air, reality crushing me with every sharp inhale.
It was the growl of a curse that had me jerking my head around, my wet hair coiling around my shoulder. I couldn’t help the gasp that escaped my lips.
Behind me, with his hands stilled on the button of his trousers, stood a bare-chested Knight.
I joined him in his cursing, dipping below the water and covering my breasts with my scarred hands—though that was hardly necessary, as I doubted he could see through the dense layer of mud and foam.
I was helpless to do anything but ogle him, my eyes traitorously slipping to his toned stomach, which I was stunned to see was covered in pink scars and raised lesions. They traveled across his rippling abs and dotted his pectorals, some of the wounds not fully healed.
But his face…
In the low light of the torches, I took in his features—a masterpiece and a thing of ruin. He was young, likely a year or two older than my eighteen years.
Straight raven hair tumbled across his forehead, playfully curling around his ears. The hazy yellow glow of the flames highlighted his cutting jaw and high cheekbones, which could have been weapons all by themselves. And his lips, well, I’d never seen a man with such full lips before, yet somehow, they fit him well.
But it was the left side of his face that added to his unearthly beauty. Two red scars—starting above his eyebrow and ending at his razor-sharp cheekbone—cut across his eye, which was nearly devoid of a visible pupil and held a milky-blue hue. The color was unlike anything I’d ever seen before, but beneath the clouds of roiling ash and shadows, beyond the mystery of his stare, was a spark of fire, its light fighting to break free from the darkness. A look I sometimes recognized in my own reflection.
He captivated me wholly and without apology.
“What are you doing in here, recruit?” he barked, dropping his hands to his sides, a look of surprise granting him a boyish glow.
I squeaked in reply, water sloshing around me as I angled my feverish body, all the while scolding myself for admiring him.
“I was told I could come here after dinner and bathe. Inprivate,” I enunciated, regaining what little composure I had left.
There wasn’t much to work with.
The Knight showed no visible reaction to my words, but his eyes flickered to the stone floor. I might have been mistaken, but his pallid cheeks appeared washed in pink.
“I see,” he ground out, a note of agitation deepening his voice. Hesitantly, he raised his gaze, his tone severe as he said, “Well, I usually reserve this time for myself.”
“Then it appears as though we have a problem.” I spoke without thought, though fire burned in his brown eye as though he secretly enjoyed the challenge as much as I did.
He was a distraction, and gods knew I needed one.
He shoved his hands deep into his trouser pockets, leaning back on his heels. I kept my attention on his brooding face, denying myself glimpses of his strapping physique.
I wondered who he was. If he were some grunt or an illustrious officer. Based off his many scars alone, I suspected he’d been with the Knights for some time.
“For a recruit, you’re awfully brave,” he muttered, his nostrils flaring slightly.
I shrugged. “Isn’t that the whole point? If I wasn’t brave, what use would I be to the king? Though, I suppose even the brave die out there.”
