Page 37 of The Witch and His Crow

‘You’re alive,’ Arwyn said, nonchalantly. He was leant against the wall, half bathed in shadow and half exposed by the daylight. As I imagined, there was shadows beneath his eyes, but all it did was increase his allure.

‘I am,’ I replied, finding myself lost for words. Was there a reason this man had whittled me down to a voiceless mess? Besides the fact he was sexy as sin?

‘Good.’

My fickle heart skipped a beat. Even in a deadly arena, if faced with an attractive man, I couldn’t help but fall back into my flirtatious nature. It took iron self-restraint and digging my nails into my palm, to stop myself from saying something stupid.

‘Is it?’

Clearly something I said was funny, because Arwyn dropped my gaze and smiled to himself. Before he could make some joke about my inability to form a sentence, I did what I did best and used sarcasm as my weapon.

‘I came out to thank you for standing guard for me. I’m sure there was more important matters to attend to on your first night during the Witch Trials, but I am extremely thankful I trumped your plans.’

‘You’re welcome?’ Arwyn stepped in closer, completely exposing himself in the light.

There was one thing seeing him in the dark, and another to have him completely visible before me. I discovered his buzzed hair was not actually black, but a very dark brown.

‘See anything you like, Hector?’

I shook my head, blinking like I had grit in my eye. ‘Sorry. I’m a bit slow this morning. I blame having my head kicked in over and over. It does wonder for a person’s focus.’

‘Are you always so sarcastic?’

I swallowed, loud enough for Arwyn to notice. His cerulean eyes dropped to my throat for a brief moment. Choosing to ignore him, for my own sanity, I brushed his question off with a reply that would bring an end to this conversation. ‘So, thanks again for last night. Romy, my friend…’

‘I know who Romy is.’

‘Of course you do,’ I said, flustered. ‘Well, Romy said you only stayed because you felt like you owed me. Something about re-paying debts, and I can tell you are a man like me, who doesn’t like them. So consider our slate clean.’

‘We have a slate?’

Fuck my life.

‘You tell me. I didn’t know we were dancing to this tune until I just woke up. I guess that’s because you have some hero complex and don’t like being saved. Which you’re welcome for, by the way. So, now we’re even, and you’re welcome to go.’

His mouth screwed up as he nodded. I could practically see the cogs turn in his mind. ‘And here I was thinking you came out to extend the same offer of joining your coven. Romy was rather persistent. In fact, she thought that was something you already asked me. I had to say no.’

‘Sorry to disappoint,’ I snapped, far too quickly. ‘But I don’t do covens.’

His sharp brows rose into his hairline. ‘Clearly.’

Shivers rushed across my arms, making the tips of my fingers numb. I flexed my hands at my sides, hoping to encourage the blood flow. Arwyn clearly noticed, his eyes tracking the motion. Was there anything he didn’t see?

A shuffle sounded beyond the door to the room. Romy was clearly listening, just as she said she would be. And my comment was nothing but a slap in the face to the person who just healed me. ‘I mean with you. Romy is?—’

‘That’s ok. You don’t need to explain yourself tome. Plus I wasn’t expecting any miracles.’ Arwyn tipped his head towards me like some old-fashioned gentleman. Then he turned on his heel, moving back towards the same staircase I’d stopped him falling to his death from.

I contemplated calling after him. I almost stopped myself completely until he took the first step down the staircase, I proved that I’d lost all control on my better judgement.

‘Arwyn?’

He paused, slowly turning back to face me. An expectant smile proved he had just won some silent competition withhimself. Hell, I would’ve liked to whip that grin clear off his face. ‘Yes, Hector?’

‘Good luck,’ I said with as much mustered confidence as I could. ‘Next trial, may the best one come out on top.’

‘Oh,’ Arwyn’s smile intensified, mischief glowing in his cobalt eyes. ‘I intend to.’

I turned around quickly, not wanting him to see the infuriating power he had over me. When I walked back into the bedroom, Romy jolted away from the door, eyes wide like I had caught her in some criminal act.

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