That evening, when we made it back to Greyson’s house, I was exhausted. Though thankful we’d had the bath earlier in the springs, I would have given anything for a hot shower.
He put a few more logs on the fire, the embers glowed a beautiful orange color beneath the new flames. Sitting on the floor, I sipped on my wine then set it down. I leaned over on my side and propped my head up with my hand.
Greyson had changed clothes, wearing a black tunic and gray, loose-fitting pants. I supposed they were his pajamas. He took a seat on the floor next to my head.
Not one to miss an opportunity, I scooted closer and laid my head in his lap, relaxing onto his warm thighs. He grinned and pulled a blanket over my body, then one on his legs. The house was quiet, and we could only hear the crackling of the fire.
I was tired but I wasn’t ready for sleep, at least not yet.
“Tell me about your life back home,” he asked. “Who is Cesha Averly?”
I turned on my back and looked up at him. “There’s not much to tell, really. I was in an orphanage for a while and was placed into a few different foster homes.”
“What’s a foster home?”
“It’s a place for children who have no parents to stay temporarily, until something more permanent can be arranged for them.”
“That’s horrible. I can’t imagine not growing up with my parents. Cesha, I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
“I appreciate that, but it made me into the person I am today. I bounced around from home to home, but never found a permanent place. I never quite fit in anywhere as a child or, even now, as an adult. Even the coven won’t accept me. I have magic just like they do, but they still turn me away. And, oddly enough, ever since I’ve come here with you, I feel like I finally belong somewhere. I don’t know what it is, but it just feels like this is where I’m meant to be.”
He moved his hand through my hair, and I relished how soothing it felt. I hadn’t had someone play with my hair in ages, and it was one of those hypnotic motions that could lull me to sleep. I closed my eyes and smiled.
“With me?” he asked.
“Maybe.” I opened one eye and he grinned down at me. Closing it once more, I continued. “This kingdom—everything you’ve shown me so far—has been amazing. I just have this feeling that I belong.”
When he didn’t say anything else and stopped playing with my hair, I looked at him again. “What’s the matter?”
He shook his head. “It’s nothing.”
“No,” I sat up and crossed my legs underneath me, then wrapped the blanket around my body. “Don’t shut down on me. What’s up?”
“Where do I start?” He picked up his wine and took a long drink, then set it down. “Prince Caston was my very best friend in the entire world. We did everything together, hunted, trained to fight, and chased girls. His parents, the king and queen, accepted me as part of their family, like an extension.”
I reached for his hand. “That’s so sweet.” I smiled and squeezed it once more for him to continue.
“When his sister, Princess Laila, was kidnapped, we’d only looked upon her twice in her lifetime: the day she was born, and the day after. Then she was gone. The queen never fully recovered from her loss. When Prince Theo and the big bitch poisoned the waters, the queen didn’t have enough fight in her to keep going.
“She died to protect us by cursing our lands. In retrospect, she did save us, but it caused Prince Theo and Ilayna to remain in our kingdom. Unless they figure out a way to cross the snow, they’re prisoners here. The king is locked away from them and is very weak. He may die soon, and when he does . . .”
He trailed off and I let go of his hand. I reached forward and cupped his face. Turning his attention to me, “I need you to know I’ll help you as much as I can, but, again, unless I get help from the outside, I’m only one person.”
Greyson nodded and pulled my hands down. We stared at each other for a long moment, and he began to lean in toward me. I realized he was going to kiss me.
But it wasn’t the right time. He was vulnerable, and I’m not that person. There was so much I’d love to do with him, but not when his heart was breaking.
I cleared my throat and picked up my wine, then took a sip.
Greyson turned away and stood up. “Come on, let’s get you in bed. It’ll be a long day tomorrow. I need you rested, and you need to read up on more of our land before we try to conquer Prince Theo.”
I drank the rest of my wine and offered my hand to him. He took it and pulled me up next to him. “I’ll sleep on the floor so you can have your bed.”
“No, you take the bed.”
“Greyson,” I argued, and he shook his head.
“No, take the bed. I’ll be fine.”
“Share it with me then.”
His eyes widened. “Share a bed with you?”
“Yes. Why not? We’re both adults. No hanky-panky will happen.”
“Hanky-panky?” he asked.
“Lord help me,” I whispered. “I won’t try to fuck you during the night.”
His mouth made an O, then he grinned. “Well, that’s too bad.”
I laughed, I couldn’t help it. “Maybe a little more wine and I’d consider slobbing your knob.”
He chuckled. “Maybe another time.” He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. “Good night, Cesha,” he whispered and slowly pulled away. Our gazes held each other’s in a state of longing; it was obvious we liked each other, and I did want to kiss him. Hell, I wanted to screw him so hard he’d never want anyone else, but, it wasn’t the right time.
I looked away first and turned to head into the sleeping area. I didn’t want to change clothes; I was warm in what I had on. But I also wanted to feel some of his skin against mine, you know, if our legs did happen to tangle around one another’s.
I removed my pants and stood in only my long shirt. It had a long cord crisscrossing from mid-breast to my neck. It was loose and hung open. I looked down at myself and could see my hard nipples poking through the material. Well, it was good I’d had a blanket over me in the den.
I pulled the covers back and slid into the bed. Moments later, Greyson walked into the room and he only had on his pants. Oh, hell, swallow me whole, because I didn’t know if I could keep my hands off a body like his, especially when it was right next to me.
He may have picked up on how I was feeling because he stopped halfway to the bed. “I have something that’ll help you sleep.”
“Good,” I whispered. “Do I need water for it?”
“No water.”
“Oh, right. Shit. Sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it. Here.” He picked up a vial of blue liquid. I recognized it from the other night. He put two drops in my hands. “Rub your palms together.”
I did as he said and watched him as he climbed into the bed beside me. I was nervous, like the giddies you get when you’re sleeping with your new boyfriend for the first time.
But he wasn’t mine, and we weren’t going to have sex.
I then yawned and turned on my side to face him. “What’s in that oil?”
“We’ll talk about it in the morning. Good night, Cesha.” He leaned in as my eyes began to close. He pressed his lips to my forehead. He smelled so good, a combination of oils, wood, and musk. I could bottle his scent and never grow old of it.
“Good night,” I whispered, then wondered again, What was in that blue oil? My eyes fluttered closed of their own accord and sleep quickly pulled me under, my last thought being of the smile on Greyson’s lips.