Page 25 of Of Blooming Embers
As we reached a bridge along the edge of the city’s boundary line, Marek stopped, his body tensing as his blackened aura flickered. His face crumpled as he stretched one arm out toward the swampy horizon.
Seryn gawked at him, her eyes following the movement of his ember. It stemmed from the base of his spine, where the darkest ebony flames flared, rippled, and curled around his torso. The flames surged over his arm and extended from his hand, reaching beyond the gleaming dome of a submerged conservatory.
His power writhed outward as if it were burning through the very air surrounding the city. Within minutes, the hazy barrier was in place. Seryn’s gaze drifted above and around, captivated by the illusion. The citizens went about their business, some smiling appreciatively in Marek’s direction.
No alarm or fear crossed their features at his open use of ember.
They were used to this.
Accepting.
“Remarkable,” Seryn commended.
Marek’s tongue pressed against his cheek as he bowed his head and walked across a swaying bridge. He clutched his quarterstaff, holding it perpendicular to the path, effectively keeping us at a distance.
Seryn’s voice rose, ensuring that he heard. “Does creating such an illusion drain you? I can’t even fathom maintaining that barrier every day.”
We snaked through the city, the planks creaking under us, weathered shanties swaying, and firelight flickering through the gaps between the dwellings’ wooden faces.
“It’s nothing. We’ve embedded protection runes along the border. It’s simply a matter of activating them with my illusion ember.”
Seryn shook her head. “It’s not that simple.” He looked away, refusing to meet our eyes. “The people here are very fortunate to have your protection.”
He adjusted his staff, pointing to a small abode at the end of the bridge. He glared at us, his mouth tight as a subtle flush crept up his chest. “This is you. There’s enough food and fresh water to get you through the next few days. The fire and a hot bath are waiting. I’ll find you if you’re needed.” With that, he strode in the other direction, his weapon jabbing into the boards.
“He’s hiding something,” I noted, following Seryn.
“Of course he is. As are we. We’ve just met these people, for Surrelia’s sake.” She pushed open the door with a creak and sauntered inside. I smirked at her sass. It meant she wasn’t drowning in pain and confusion at the moment.
Next to one another, there were two narrow beds against the back wall. To our right, a small wood-burning stove, a kitchenette, tall barrels of clean water, a table, and a pair of chairs. Behind a wall of interlocking planks to our left, steam wafted to the ceiling.
Seryn groaned as she tossed her pack at the foot of one bed, dashing over to that corner. “Don’t mind me. I’ll be soaking the rot off me for a while.”
I sat on the rickety chair, taking off my boots and watching her shadow dance into the crevices of the woodgrain as she undressed, her boots slouching against the outside of the makeshift wall. Her shadow lifted one leg over the rim of the tub, and my mouth went dry. I pictured her soft, pink skin sinking into the steam. Her contented moan floated through the air.
Calm the fuck down, you idiot, I scolded my unruly manhood, which stirred in my breeches. Reluctantly, my cock settled as I busied myself with cleaning our boots, our sodden clothes, and weapons.
Her footfalls sounded as I finished hanging up our clothes on a rope railing outside the front entrance.
“I’m a new woman.” At the sound of her satisfied giggle, I turned, admiring her as she did a carefree twirl on the tips of her bare toes. She wore only the borrowed gray tunic, the hem brushing her damp upper thighs as her arms stretched above.
My throat dried as all the liquid in my body pooled on my tongue and in my obstinate cock, as if I were some inexperienced fledgling. Clearing my throat, I rubbed my palms on my thighs, pushing past her. “Indeed. My turn, I suppose.”
Her arms fell as she stared at me, bewildered annoyance draping over her delicate features before indifference crept over her face. My muscles tensed. I loathed the masks she hid behind.
Displeasure bubbled under my skin. She could hide herself from others if it helped her manage what she was working through. But I didn’t want her to hide from me any longer.
She toyed with the fabric at her hips. “Thank you for cleaning my things. I …” She paused as I tugged my tunic off, her lips pressing together tightly. After a moment, her words spilled out. “I’m sorry if the bathwater is cold and used. We can use some of the fresh water they’ve stocked.”
“No need. Your bath water doesn’t bother me.” My gaze sank to her lips as they parted and then dragged over her face as she gawked at my chest.
I enjoyed making her mask slip. Apathy didn’t suit her. She was anything but indifferent, and I grew weary of pretending otherwise. Giving her space and my silence was no longer effective. It was time to try a different tactic if I was to garner an authentic reaction from her.
Running my hand through my hair, biceps bunching, I let my next words tumble out. “It’s better to conserve the supplies as best we can. Perhaps next time we should share the bath.”
Her mouth fell all the way open, and her cheeks instantly burned. She shifted, her thighs brushing against each other, rustling the tunic’s fabric. I swore I felt the heat between her legs, and it sparked something deep in my belly.
A slow smile spread across my face, and I didn’t bother hiding my body’s reaction to her. Seryn glanced down, her nostrils flaring as she, too, noticed.
