Page 45

“I told you it was better than the tart.” Devrix winked and stepped into the room. “Come feel the water. I want to make sure it’s not too hot.”

I moved close, our shoulders brushing, and dipped my hand into the tub. “Perfect.” I couldn’t stop smiling as our gazes locked with one another.

Lifting a hand to my chin, Devrix pressed a kiss to my lips. I was reminded how incredible it felt to be near him. The soft press of his lips and tongue made me feel more alive than ever. Several moments passed until he leaned his forehead against mine. “Go ahead, get in. I’ll be right back.”

Eyes locked with mine, he pulled away, staring back until he reached the door. When he left, I turned back to the tub, smiling.

There were enough plants crowding the windows that I didn’t worry about being exposed. Devrix’s footsteps echoed from inside the cabin. I slipped off my gown. My toes hit the water and I practically melted in, letting the water rise to my shoulders.

“Got it,” Devrix said, emerging with a bowl in his hand. “Lavender for the water. It is supposed to be soothing. Shall I?” I nodded, and he sprinkled a handful of the dried flowers onto the surface. I sank deeper into the tub.

Devrix put down the bowl and pulled up a stool.

“You’re not joining me?” I asked. “There is plenty of room for both of us.”

“Ahh …” he wavered, looking into the tub. “Baths are not really …”

“Oh,” I said, remembering that fire spirits had an aversion to deep water. “But ... if you have a fear of water, then why do you have this tub?”

“Like I said, it’s for you.”

“Wait. This is all set up for me?” I looked around at the sunlit room filled with plants.

“Yes. Of course,” he said, as if it were obvious. “Well, I will admit, my initial idea was a relaxing room covered with greenery. It was Claire who suggested the tub.”

I let out a laugh, recalling my conversation with her. “Yes, I believe I told her anyone that didn’t enjoy a soak in a warm tub was a brute.”

“She said as much.” He grinned. “So, while I may not be jumping in, I hope you’ll think of me as a little less savage, since I did provide the hot water.”

“I’ll consider it.” I smirked. “How is the water so warm? I didn’t see you bringing water from the stove.”

A smile crept across his face. “Heating stones. A perk of my occupation. There are a few at the bottom edges. They can keep the water warm for hours.”

“You say that as if it is no big deal. Obviously, you have no idea how amazing this is.”

He shrugged and reached for a cloth, wetting it along with a bar of soap. “May I?”

I nodded. “I don’t know what I did to deserve this, but I am going to spoil you once I am fully recovered.”

“I’d like that very much,” he replied in a low voice.

After working up a lather, Devrix ran the soapy cloth over my shoulders and back. He rinsed and moved to my front. Even though I was tired, excitement coiled in my core from our closeness.

He washed my hair and dried me off with a towel. I had never been so fussed over in all of my life. I wasn’t used to the attention. It was a sensation Devrix told me I would have to get used to, and for the rest of the evening he continued to fret over me, refusing to let me lift a finger.

Later, he crawled in the bed beside me, and I fell asleep in his arms.

The following day, I was up on my feet, feeling less wobbly and more alive. Outside, Devrix stacked wood for the next day of fires, and I watched on from the window.

Devrix had explained that the cabin was his retreat away from town. The surrounding woods were secluded, but they were nothing like the dense forest of the Shadow Wilds. Birds flitted from tree to tree, scavenging for an early winter snack among the bark.

He brought in an armful of wood and was stacking it near the stove.

I continued to watch out the window as the first fluffy flakes of snow sprinkled from the sky. Winter was upon us.

Something caught my eye at the edge of the yard. There was a man walking past the area where Devrix had split wood.

“Are you expecting someone?” I asked.

He looked over to me, brow quirked. “No … Why? Is there someone here?”

“Well, yeah,” I replied. The man outside had stopped in front of the scattered logs. He looked up around the yard, and then his attention turned to the window, eyes catching with mine—black eyes.

I sucked in a breath.

“What is it?” Devrix asked, standing beside me and peering out the window.

“Don’t you see him?” I pointed to the visitor staring back.

“See who, my love?” His gaze scanned the yard but didn’t catch on the figure only steps away.

“The man.” I gestured again. The stranger gave me a curious look. Eyes stuck on mine as I froze, glaring back. His head turned without warning, and he began to walk away.

“No one is there.” Devrix looked from the window and tilted his head at me, a brow kinked with confusion, silver eyes studying mine.

The man was there. I could still see him walking away on the trail. But Devrix wasn’t teasing. He really didn’t see him.

The figure receded. “My mind must be frazzled,” I said, stepping away from the window. “Maybe I should rest a bit more.”

“That’s a good idea,” agreed Devrix, not hiding his concern. With a steady hand, he steered me to the bed. “Trust me, no one is out there.”