Page 18 of Spirit Trials

Lox coughs on the water he just drank, and I face him with a frown. “What?”

His eyes are dancing. “You’re sweet, Farrah. Don't ever lose that.”

I frown. “Why do I feel like I’m being put down?”

Jamik wanders in. “Smells good in here.”

“Thanks,” I say with a smile. “I caught it.”

He gives me a small smile. “Farrah here just told me she wants to go somewhere with me as a couple,” Lox blurts out. Jamik turns to me.

I roll my eyes. “I didn’t exactly say it like that.”

“Don’t tell my brother that,” he says quietly.

“Why?” I ask curiously. “Why wouldn’t I tell Rysden?”

“Tell me what?” the man himself asks as he enters the dining area.

It’s suddenly really quiet in the kitchen. I look at all three guys. “You guys are making a big deal over nothing. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“By what?” Rysden asks.

I turn to face him. “They’re making a big deal because I felt bad for Lox and offered to go somewhere public as his girl to help him out.” I turn back to my meat. “They’re just overreacting.”

“You want to be Lox’s girl?” The question is very low and comes from right behind me. I turn around and realize Rysden is like right there. I take a breath because he’s intimidating this close. He hasn’t been close to me like this since we got here.

I roll my eyes. “I just offered to go with him somewhere and pretend to be his girl for the night, simply to make other women jealous.”

Rysden’s eyebrows pinch together. “To make other girls jealous.”

At this point, he’s just repeating everything I’m saying. “Never mind.” I wave him off and turn back to the meat.

I feel him step close behind me, and I go still when he leans forward. “You’re not Lox’s girl.” He says the words in a low voice right next to my ear. A shiver runs down my spine, and goosebumps break out on my arms. I swallow hard and take an unsteady breath when he moves away. I don’t turn around for a full two minutes. When I do, it’s as if nothing has happened. The guys are all talking and carrying on. That is, until I meet Rysden’s eyes. They’re on me, dark and intense. I look away because he makes me feel unsteady. I manage to eat a little bit during dinner, but I have a hard time with Rysden in the same room. I finally decide it’s just because he’s so intense, and I focus on ignoring his presence. After dinner, he disappears; and I finally breathe a sigh of relief. It doesn’t last long because he comes back a few minutes later. “Farrah, the tailor is here.”

“Oh.” I dry my hands from washing dishes and walk over to the short man and put out my hand. “Hi, I’m Farrah.” Rysden moves in front of me, knocking my hand aside so I can’t shake his hand. I frown up at him, but he ignores me.

“Let’s get started.”

“We can go to my room,” I offer.

“No,” Rysden says sharply. “We’ll go to mine.”

I look up at him, wondering at his odd behavior. I shake my head and follow him to his room, taking it in as I step inside. It’s similar to mine but larger, and he’s got not one but two of those gorgeous round windows. There’s a large bed in the center of the room with dark linens and dark furs. It’s very masculine and seems to suit him.

The tailor steps around me, looking me up and down. “Not a lot of curves to work with. Should be easy for clothes for the trials, not so much for the dinner.”

I feel my face heat to a thousand degrees, and I don’t dare look at Rysden. “Make it work,” I hear him say in a low voice.

“All right. Let’s get to work. I need all your measurements. Strip down, so we can get started.”

I stare at him. “I’m sorry?”

“She’s not stripping down,” Rysden growls. “Do what you need to do without her taking any clothes off.”

I can tell the tailor is exasperated, but he nods anyway. He’s a little intense as he works, and I try to keep up with his orders. Finally, he seems to have everything he needs. “I will get to work.” He faces Rysden, who’s leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, and a booted foot on the wall. Something about his position makes me take notice. It’s like he’s trying to be casual but is anything but. “I will let you know as soon as it’s done.”

Rysden nods, not moving from his position. “Just remember, the dress has to be ready for tomorrow night.” I follow the two of them as they walk towards the front door. When the tailor leaves, I turn to Rysden.