Page 63 of Villainess's Redemption
Don’t think about his bare skin. Don’t think about-
“Are you coming in, or shall I leave my door wide open for all to see?” There was that infuriating amusement in his voice again.
I stepped inside, closing the door with a soft click that felt oddly final. His chambers were surprisingly austere for a prince - dark wood furniture, deep blue drapes, and a massive four-poster bed that I absolutely refused to look at.
A medical kit sat open on his desk, presumably left by Agnes. “At least sit down so I can reach properly.”
He settled into a chair, and I approached with all the enthusiasm of someone walking to their execution. The candlelight played across the muscles of his back, casting shadows that highlighted every dip and curve.
Focus on the burn. Just the burn.
“This might sting,” I dabbed the salve as gently as possible, but he didn’t even flinch. “You’re either very brave or very stupid, you know that?”
“For getting burned, or for letting you near me with medicine?”
“Both.” My fingers traced the edge of the burn. “Though I suppose I should thank you for playing hero.”
“Is that what I was doing?” His voice dropped lower, sending shivers down my spine. “Playing?”
My hand stilled on his shoulder. The room suddenly felt too warm, too small. His skin burned beneath my palm, and I couldn’t tell if it was from the wound or something else entirely.
“Eric…” The childhood nickname slipped out again, unbidden.
He caught my wrist, turning to face me. The movement brought us impossibly close, my skirts brushing against his legs. “You did it again.”
“What?” I could barely breathe.
His thumb traced circles on my pulse point. “My name. You said my name. The way you used to say it.”
The candlelight caught his eyes, turning them from ice to flame. My heart thundered so loud I was certain he could hear it.
This is dangerous,my mind screamed.Run.
The heat of his gaze snapped me back to my senses.What am I doing?I cleared my throat and took a deliberate step back, putting some blessed distance between us. The dagger felt heavy in my hands as I thrust it toward him.
“Sebastian told me to return this to you.” My voice came out steadier than I felt.
Anderic’s eyes flickered to the weapon before returning to my face with lazy amusement. “Keep it.”
“I can’t-”
“The emeralds match your eyes,” he leaned back in his chair, all casual grace now as if the heated moment between us had never happened. The candlelight caught the planes of his chest, and I forced my gaze up to safer territory. “Consider it a wedding gift, since I couldn’t attend the ceremony.”
“You’re impossible,” I gripped the dagger’s hilt. The gems did catch the light rather beautifully. “And manipulative.”
His lips curved into that infuriating smirk. “So I’ve been told. Though I prefer to think of it as… persuasive.”
I weighed my options. Arguing with Anderic was like trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon - futile and likely to leave me soaking wet. The dagger was exquisitely crafted, and having a weapon wouldn’t hurt…
“Fine,” I tucked it into the folds of my skirt. “But don’t think this means-”
“You should go.” His voice had cooled to princely politeness, all trace of intimacy gone. “Before my chambers become the subject of palace gossip.”
And just like that I was dismissed. His hot and cold behavior was getting rather tiring.
As I turned to leave, his voice stopped me at the door.
“And Lya?” The way he said my name sent shivers down my spine. “Do try not to stab anyone important with it.”
