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“I’d take lukewarm water.” I swiveled toward him, putting my knee on the bench. “What?”

“Hmm?”

“Where’d you go?” I asked, not sure what I’d done to lose his attention.

“I’m taking in our surroundings.”

“Can you look at me?”

“Do I need to look at you?” He was acting cagey.

“I’d prefer it.”

He turned, his expression schooled. “Is this better?”

I hated how hot and cold he was. “Is everything okay?”

“You’re a little…drenched, and fae are staring.”

My brows pulled, and I looked down. The thin material of my shirt clung to my skin, but when I glanced around, I didn’t see anyone staring. I looked at him again, and his eyes were on the ceiling. “Nyx.”

“Yes, Sol?”

“Are you okay?”

“Perfectly fine.”

I gathered my shirt, lifting it and twisting the fabric to ring out some of the water.

His eye twitched ever so slightly. “Should you be dripping that on the floor?”

“With the amount of ale there, I don’t think it will be a problem.”

He couldn’t fight it anymore, and his eyes lowered for the barest hint of a moment. A growl rumbled through him. He cut it off before anyone around us noticed, but I’d heard it.

“Can I help you with something?” I asked, keeping up my sweet tone.

His nostrils flared.

“The Goddess must favor your souls,” a female I had to assume was the innkeeper’s wife said, approaching with a tray. “We have one room left.” She set bowls and ale in front of us. “You can settle up when you collect the key.”

“She must. I’ll be over as soon as we finish.” Nyx thanked her and poured us each a generous measure, then he lifted his glass to me in silent cheers.

FORTY-FOUR

NYX

Zaria’s smile lit the room. Everyone around us delighted in her company. I hadn’t seen her like this before. This must have been who she became on her nights out at the Flaming Pegasus. No wonder everyone fell in love with her.

Was this how she was before I took her? Had I ruined her life?

Too much had been stolen from her, and seeing her like this just made me see all that she was still missing—the freedom to make her own choices and be who she really is.

It was why I hadn’t pushed her when it came to us. She deserved to have one choice that was entirely her own, and if she made the choice not to take things further with me, I would have to live with that. I’d never be able to tell her the burden I carried, but seeing her in this light showed me what my life would be like if she didn’t want me.

She was perfect, and every fae in this room could see it.

I was stuck between getting her away from their attentions as soon as possible and avoiding the fate we had waiting for us in our room for the night.