Page 46

I have an inexplicable urge to run my fingers through his dark hair.Which frightens the fuck out of me.Instead, I get up, taking the sheet with me and selfishly exposing him to the fresh air.Although, he doesn’t seem bothered.Neither does he try to hide his hard-on when he stretches out on his back and crosses his arms behind his head.

I quickly avert my eyes and go next door to do my morning grooming.

As always, I’m ashamed of myself for how easily I forget about everything and everyone when Aruan touches me.He came inside me—again—and even though I know better, I simply can’t gather the willpower to stop him or to care.Not in the moment.Not with the heat that seems to fry my brain and leave it totally useless.Regret only comes when my body is sated and reason returns.But that just lasts until the next time he lays his hands on me.

That I allow him to take things so far is a huge red flag in itself, a big, blaring sign that I need to get away from here.From him.But at what price?Will his reaction at finding me gone actually set off a supernova, destroying this entire solar system?Or… not a supernova.This star is probably not massive enough for that.If Zerra is indeed a parallel Earth and this sun is identical to ours, then Zerra’s eventual death will come by way of this sun becoming a red giant.

If I recall correctly, the explanation behind it is something like the sun runs out of hydrogen that fuels its fusion reactions, and then its core condenses to dump a whole bunch of heat into its outer layers, causing it to expand and swallow the planets in its vicinity.Then I think it’s supposed to become a white dwarf.Or is it a red dwarf?

I wish I had Google to check.

Either way, none of that matters if Aruan can cause the sun to flare like that—if his power is that strong and lethal.

And if it is indeed somehow tied tome.

Sighing, I wash my face and brush my teeth.I can’t dwell on Aruan and this whole surreal situation any longer without going insane, so I focus on the simple task of my morning routine.Someone has set out clothes for me on the bench, or maybe Aruan fabricated the garments with the sheer power of his mind.I’m surprised to find black fitted pants and a white shirt in my size instead of another glamorous gown.A pair of soft socks finish the ensemble.

When I return to the room, Aruan is dressed in a tunic and dark pants tucked into his boots.His hair is brushed back and tied at his nape, leaving his stunning features exposed.For a moment, I falter.My pulse quickens.He looks impossibly handsome.And damn, he smells good.

Get a grip, Elsie.

He stands at the foot-end of the bed, dangling a pair of brown boots in one hand.

They’re definitely not his size.His palm alone is bigger than the sole.

Rushing over, I snatch the boots from him.I’m so ridiculously happy to have practical shoes again that I have to fight an impulse to hug them to my chest.

“Thank you.”I can’t help the silly grin that splits my face.“Did you make them?”

He nods.“You seem to like them better than the shoes the females prefer to wear in the palace.”

I sweep a hand over the soft, suede-like material.“I love them.”

He nods again, looking pleased with himself.

“I appreciate the clothes too.”He did make an effort for me, and it will be rude not to thank him.I’m not making a pass at him or anything like that.

A smile plucks at his lips as he drags a gaze over me.

I look down at myself.“What?”

When I meet his gaze again, amusement sparks in his eyes.

“The men’s clothes and hairstyle suit you.”

My heart skips a beat at how that smile transforms his face with attractive laugh lines crinkling the corners of his eyes.

Focus.

I touch my spiky hair.“I kept it short because of the chemo.”

He frowns.

“It’s a cancer treatment that made my hair fall out.”At the dark look that comes over his face, I add, “But I happen to like my hair short.”

His easy smile doesn’t mask the strain in his voice.“Me too.”His tone is still a bit clipped when he points at the bed and says, “Sit.”

I obey without arguing, not because I’m giving in easily but to give me time to gather myself.