Page 65 of Burning Heir

“If I say yes, will you go in?” Damien grinned, already pulling off his shirt.

I looked away, my cheeks heating as I saw his toned figure. “Fine. Turn around.”

Damien chuckled. “Severyn, I don’t know how to tell you this, but seeing your bare shoulders is hardly scandalous.”

“Then don’t turn around,” I muttered, peeling off my shirt and stepping into the water.

Damien followed, wrapping his arms around me. His thumb brushed my cheek as he leaned in. “I’m ready for you to kiss me,” he said.

He didn’t wait for my answer as his lips found mine. I melted into him, forgetting everything but the heat of his touch.

“It took you long enough,” I said.

“I wanted to kiss you that first night. And yes, Severyn, you were sort of flirting with me, but you’re terrible at it,” he laughed.

His forehead pressed into mine, and we stayed like that for what felt like hours.

Kissing a Summer student was borderline callous. But frost never coated my fingers. I wasn’t his poison. It would have made the perfect fable—ice and warmth, forced to sever. But two titles were up for grabs. And perhaps lust was my poison, but fuck, did making out with him feel like a damn cure.

His forehead pressed into mine. “I don’t know anything, Severyn. But I know I care about you.”

I rested against his chest, thumbing over the droplets. “I care about you.”

“It’s easier this way,” he said softly.

“What’s easier?”

“Nothing. We should head back. It’s past midnight,” he whispered once the air touched our sweltered faces.

I shook my head. “Okay.Yeah, we have class in a few hours.”

I was thankful he couldn’t hear my racing mind while we waded through the water silently to shore.

Naraic and Emerich waited for us outside of the hot spring opening and flew us back to campus. We neared the shadowed dorms, and I thought he would kiss me again. I knewhe knewI wanted him to from the screams in my mind.

But all he did was smile as a whisper escaped his clenched jaw, “Good night, Severyn. I enjoyed kissing you, but I don’t want us to rush into anything.”

I stifled the hoarse voice in my throat. Even my flames were simmered. “Good night, Damien.”

I caught my breath as I leaned against the stone wall.Damien kissed me. I hugged my clothes to my chest before heading to the bath to wash off the hot spring water. I pushed the heavy stone door open and filled the large quart tub. I dropped my remaining clothes in a mound on the tile before sinking under the water.

I glanced at my reflection in the glass mirrors. I knew I would regret staying up this late once dawn hit in five hours. I knew, regardless, I would be tossing and turning in bed thinking about Damien—

The bathroom door opened.

I screamed, shoving myself into the corner of the tub as a dazed figure clutched his ribs. Archer stared wide-eyed before nearly slipping on the tile as he turned around. “Shit, why are you up? You could have locked the damn door.”

No, please, no.

“The lock is broken. Damien normally guards the door for me,” I stuttered, looking him over and tracing the bloody bruises marring his skin. “Why are you bleeding?” His arms were scratched between the torn clothing. His shoulders and spine were exposed, marred with more lacerations. He reeked of liquor.

Archer tensed, glancing at the mirror but not at me. He would not dare look at me. “Get to bed, it’s past curfew.” He pointed at the door, fanning a hand.

A part of me wanted him to look, just to feel justified to be upset with him. He’d been gone for four days now. Reaching for the towel, I asked, “You didn’t answer my question. Why are you bleeding?”

“I’d rather not have a conversation while you are indecent. Please, Severyn, walk away.” He raised his palm, and the lanterns flickered before going out one by one, leaving us in the dark.

“Well, now I can’t see.” Striding toward the door, I used the wall to balance myself.

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