Page 48 of Sun Elves of Ardani

Neiryn was standing beside the door, drenched in water… and shirtless. The rest of the scene became much less important in comparison. The expanse of smooth, honey-colored skin and lean muscle stopped her cold, and suddenly she felt like a drab peahen beside a peacock.

Her eyes went to his waist. A large burn scar swept across his side. She did not recall having seen it when she’d treated him in Kuda Varai.

“Well?” he demanded. Kadaki’s gaze jerked up to his furious face. She’d been staring. “Aren’t you going to do something about this?” He shoved wet hair out of his face. He looked like he hadn’t slept well.

She let her eyes focus on the layer of magic in the air, and she could clearly see the anomaly tangled there in the spout of water. She reached out to begin untangling it. It was easier this time, thanks to the magic she’d gained from the obelisk. “Safana told me you were asking about a bath last night. I guess this isn’t what you had in mind.”

“Is that supposed to be funny?”

“It is funny.”

He crossed his arms tightly over his chest as she worked on the anomaly. A minute later, the magic dispersed and the water stopped.

“I need another place to sleep,” Neiryn snapped, not bothering to thank her.

“We don’t have any other rooms. This isn’t a hotel.”

“Then where am I supposed to go?” He threw his hands in the air as if this were an unbelievable outrage.

She shrugged. “The living room sofa is available.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “You can’t talk to me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like I’m just some—some annoying houseguest.”

“But you are an annoying houseguest.”

“I’m a visitor from the Kingdom of Ysura. Most people would be honored to host me, and wouldn’t tell me to sleep on a dusty sofa like some beggar.”

She went to the door. “I’ll come back when you’re feeling more reasonable. I can see you’re in a bad mood.”

“What tipped you off?”

She opened the door, then paused. “Is it because I saw you crying last night?”

His mouth tightened. He stepped around her, put his hand over hers on the handle, and shut the door. He lowered his voice. “No. And I was under the influence.”

“It was an awfullotof crying, though, you must admit.”

“There’s nothing wrong with crying.”

“Of course. I just wondered if you were angry at me for witnessing you being a bit foolish.”

“No, I’m angry that I woke up choking on water.”

“Is that all?”

He leaned a little closer, almost touching her. “Yes,” he said tightly.

Kadaki didn’t reply. His wet, half-naked body was very close to her. There were rings under his eyes—evidence of the dreaming he’d done last night.

“What is dreaming like?” she asked.

He looked thrown off by the change of subject. He looked her over, as if seeing her in a new light. “Would you like to try it?”

To her surprise, she didn’t immediately tell him no. A part of her was tempted.

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