Page 57 of The Chains You Defy

“My tendrils have many, many uses. Sometimes, even practical ones, like opening the water flow of a tub.”

His eyes radiated pride, and the ever-present predator in him lingered close to the surface. Dion was all lethal grace, and he emanated a sensuality I’d never witnessed before, except maybe catching hints here and there. But at this moment, he exuded pure seduction, and my head spun. The closest I’d ever experienced him like this had been back in Rastialla—in what would forever be known as the Towel Incident.

Dion’s fingers brushed over my shoulders and toyed with the fabric of my nightgown. “This needs to go soyou can take a bath,” he purred and, slow enough for me to object, tugged at the white fabric. My breath caught in my throat as I comprehended that I’d soon be bare to him, and from the sultriness in his expression, he’d reached the same conclusion.

Green destroyed fabric flashed in front of my inner eye, and I tensed. The ascent of my nightgown stopped without hesitation, its hem playing around my knees.

This wasn’t the past. I wasn’t wearing the abomination of a dress, and Dion wasn’t Jelric, not even close. Both were predators, but of a different kind—they were worlds apart. Taking a deep breath, I faced the prince. “Green,” I whispered, and I didn’t mean the horrible gown.

Dion emitted approval at the use of our code and proceeded to gather more and more of my nightdress around my shoulders, the hem climbing up inch by inch.

His observation didn’t stray from my face, and before my mind could comprehend, the white cloth brushed over my head and landed on the ground, leaving me in just my underthings. They were simple and white as well but didn’t cover much of my body.

Dion’s lips curled into a sensual smile as he allowed his eyes to roam over my bare skin. His slow, languid perusal left scorch marks in its wake wherever his gaze lingered.

When his unconcealed examination moved from my stomach to my breasts, his pupils blew out and his nostrils flared. He remained frozen in his special fae-way, and under his visual caress, I could feel my nipples stiffen.

How could he have such an impact on me when most other people couldn’t cause a fraction of what wascoursing through my body? And he wasn’t even touching me.

No, he hadn’t even tried advancing further. Yet.

But the next moment, he broke his statuesque trance, and his hand rose to my chest. My throat bobbed, but to my surprise, he didn’t reach for my breasts. Instead, his fingertips came to rest on the weird spot under my collarbone. Most of the time, the colors were hidden by some magic, but not now.

There was still fire in his expression, but something akin to reverence dominated.

Dion had mentioned that this mark meant I’d been touched by magic, but also that there was a chance the design would disappear. However, lately I was having my doubts about that. If anything, the colorful flecks had expanded and gained visibility as well as radiance. Where there had been only red splotches before, blue components and some faint purple traces had appeared.

Yet this mark with the name I’d already forgotten was clearly an unfinished design. So, maybe the pattern would vanish again after all.

And although Dion’s current reaction was very different from what I’d expected, I wasn’t in my right mind to ask for the meaning of the colors again.

Dion’s fingers traced the mark for a moment longer, then drew his hand back and caught my eyes again. “Beautiful.”

Blushing, I averted my eyes.

“Why are you better at accepting insults than compliments?” Dion chuckled, and his hands moved lower, lingering on the dip of my waist.

“I don’t know.”

Another chuckle escaped him, and he leaned closer. His lips fluttered over my cheek, more breath than touch, and his hands inched lower until his fingers hooked into the waistband of my underthings. Before I could register what he was doing, the last piece of clothing slipped down my legs—I even forgot to argue his outrageous last declaration.

Oh gods, I was completely naked.

And clearly, Dion wasn’t unaffected. He let out a shuddering breath and shut his stormy eyes.

Liquid fire dripped into my core simply because the tension between us was electrifying. Neither of us moved as we stood like this, him fully clothed, hands on my naked hips, and me utterly exposed.

A mean, intrusive idea flashed into my mind. Was he exaggerating his reactions for my sake?

For me, this was all new and maybe scary, but for him? He’d never explicitly stated so, but I was sure he’d been sexually active. Of course, he must have been, since fae enjoyed fu—intimacy.

My throat tightened at the thought of him and all the other females who’d been undressed in front of him, and as if Dion sensed me spiraling, he caught himself and led me to the tub. “In with you before the water gets cold.”

“The last time someone helped me bathe was almost twenty winters ago.”

“I hope this is different.”

“It sure is.”