Page 44 of Sanctuary of the Shadow
A knock sounded at the door. “Water and firewood.”
“Come in,” Harrow called as Raith slipped into the washroom to hide. A big bucket of water for bathing and a jug for drinking were delivered by two lizard Hybrid males along with a bundle of wood. After directing them to leave it by the fireplace so they wouldn’t see Raith, Harrow bid the men goodnight, and then silence reigned again.
“We made it,” Harrow finally said, tugging her hood back.
Raith emerged and looked around. He didn’t look any happier about it than she did, and it didn’t take a genius to figure out why.
“From one cage to another,” she muttered, seeing the room in a whole new light. For his size, it was cramped. The ceilings were so low, his head nearly brushed them.
He didn’t reply.
“We should get some rest.” She looked at the singular bed and felt her face heat.
Raith followed her gaze, and the silence suddenly felt charged.
“I will sleep on the floor.”
The sound of his voice never failed to send a jolt through her, and she glanced at him. His was not an expressive face, and she had no idea what he was thinking.
“There’s room enough for both of us,” she replied.
He just looked at her.
She planted her hands on her hips. “The couch is too small, and you’re not sleeping on the floor, so don’t even suggest it.”
His eyes narrowed, so she narrowed hers right back, refusing to budge.
It had nothing to do with the butterflies in her stomach when she thought about lying next to him. She refused to let a man who’d spent weeks in a cage sleep on the floor on his first night of freedom. Never mind that she had kissed him barely an hour ago, and the memory of his strong body against hers was so vivid it took her breath away.
The heat rose back to her cheeks.That’s not what this is about.
Deciding two could play at the silent game, Harrow turned away and went about readying for bed. After washing up and changing into her nightgown in the washroom, she came back out and found Raith still standing there. She went to the bed and pulled back the covers on one side, fiddling with the pillows to give her something to do with her hands.
All the while he watched her.
Still pretending to be oblivious, she slipped under the covers, bidding Raith goodnight and leaning over to extinguish the lantern at her bedside. She closed her eyes and feigned sleep while she listened to him moving about the room.
Eventually, she felt the mattress dip as his considerable weight settled in beside her, and her heart began to race. But he didn’t get under the covers.
Which was fine, she assured herself. It was only proper to keep some space between them, and just because she’d kissed him didn’t mean she was ready for—
“Why don’t you come under the blankets?” she whispered into the darkness, immediately wanting to smack herself on the forehead.
Why was she pushing this? Because she wanted him to be comfortable. She didn’t want him to regret escaping with her. And maybe…because she wanted to be closer to him.
She felt his body shift, turning onto his side, so she turned too. Striking fiery eyes peered at her from the dark. Their faces were so close. She let her gaze trace the curve of his lips, the arch of his nose, wishing she could use her finger instead. He was so handsome, his features so proud and noble. Where had he come from? Surely someone out there knew him and felt his absence?
“Goodnight, Harrow.”
His voice… A shiver went through her.I guess he’s not coming under the covers, then.That was okay. Going from a cage to a soft mattress was a big jump, and perhaps the added comfort of blankets would be too much for one night. She could understand that.
Freedom was as much a state of mind as a state of being.
“Goodnight, Raith.” She offered a sleepy smile and closed her eyes, taking a deep inhalation of his scent and allowing it to relax her.
She would ensure he remained free until he had enough time to believe in it.
Whatever it takes. Whatever lies ahead.
