Page 116 of Crown of Briars
“If you need to, you can go to the library to work on that.”
I looked up. Sybelle was tucked under the covers, and she watched me with an unusually somber expression. All amusement from her earlier teasing was gone.
“I insist on staying here with you,” I said. “Even with a guard stationed outside the door, I would… feel more comfortable if I remained here. Just in case.”
She nodded, as if she expected this answer. She bit down on her lower lip, her eyes going unfocused.
I frowned. “Will it bother you if I’m sitting here?”
“No!” she said quickly. Too quickly. Then, she huffed a laugh, her cheeks going pink. “Actually, it would… do the opposite.”
She was quoting my own words at me. Again. I stared at her, and she stared back, unabashed. Bold as ever.
Heat coiled low in my belly at the look she was giving me. Mother of Shade, this woman would be the death of me.
For just a moment, I indulged the thought of prowling over to the bed, holding her gaze as I made my way to her. I would climb on the bed, my large body hovering over hers.
How far would she take this little game between us? Would she let my hands roam over her bare flesh? Would she let me ease my fingers between her thighs to see just how wet she was?
When would she tell me to stop? When would that inevitable look of horror cross her features at the thought oftrulybedding a monster like me?
I didn’t want to find out. It would be best to cut this off now.
“I will be focused on my work here,” I said in slow, measured words. Even so, my voice still came out a bit strained. “I’m sorry if it will be a distraction. But you fell asleep just fine in the hot springs. I’m sure you’ll rest eventually.” I smirked at the way her cheeks reddened before returning to my work.
I distinctly heard her mutter the wordassas she turned over in the bed, draping the covers over herself. I chuckled under my breath, grateful our game had halted.
For now.
I responded to a few letters before the exhaustion of last night finally caught up to me. After conferring with Clermont in the hall to ensure certain tasks were taken care of, I dimmed the lights and curled up on the sofa to rest for a while, hoping it would only take an hour or two before I was alert enough to tackle the next item on my agenda.
My dreams were plagued by shadow storms and the screams of my people—of the people I couldn’t save, no matter how hard I tried.
The dream shifted, and I saw my father laughing at me for my weaknesses, taunting me for my growing feelings for Sybelle.
“Ahuman,” he spat. “They are nothing more than the dirt beneath our feet.”
I tried to shout at him, to claim this wasn’t true, but my mouth had been sealed shut. My scream drowned in my throat.
“Varius,” whispered a voice that sliced through my dreams.
I stirred, and the vision of my father drifted away.
“Oh,Varius,” the voice said, louder this time.
My eyes snapped open. The darkened room greeted me, and the auburn glow of the setting sun glinted from the windows. Slowly, I sat up, scanning the room. I was certain I’d heard someone call my name.
“Please don’t stop,” said the voice.
I froze, my skin prickling. It was Sybelle. But I’d never heard her voice like this before. It had a strange echo to it, ringing as if she were shouting in a massive cathedral.
With slow and silent movements, I slid off the couch and crept over to the bed. Sybelle was still tucked tightly under the covers, half her face pressed into the feathery pillow. Her chestnut hair was strewn around her like a lion’s mane.
Aside from her soft, slow breathing, she made no sounds. She did not speak at all.
“Varius,” said the voice again.
I turned and found a strange shimmering light gleaming from the bathing chamber.
