Page 74 of Legacy of the Heirs
“We do not even know your names,” said Caellum. The redhead whipped to face him.
“There is power in a name.”
***
“What do you think she meant by ‘a name carries a lot of power?” Caellum asked Sadira as they took the stairs to the inn. She giggled and stumbled into him, and he grabbed her elbow on instinct. Sadira had poured over the book for hours while both sipped the tavern’s wine. Caellum had been content with watching his citizens, though the atmosphere lacked the merriment he imagined usually graced the tavern. He heard various mentions of the creatures, the word having spread across the towns. Yet anawkwardness stopped him from addressing the people, even those who stole glances at the pair huddled in the booth.
Not wishing to ride through the night to Antor, the pair stayed in Albyn and would ride straight to the Neutral City in the morning. Sadira clutched the book to her chest, resting her chin on the worn edges.
“If what she mentioned about incantations is correct, I imagine words carry weight when using power,” Sadira mused. Caellum wished he could hear the thoughts running through her head, thoughts now swimming in her eyes when they reached the door.
Caellum clumsily twisted the key to their room, the wine having rushed to his head. The door groaned through the dimly lit hallway as he pushed it open.
“Oh,” Sadira whispered. Caellum rocked on his feet as he surveyed the pocket-sized room filled mainly by only one double bed in its centre.
“I suppose it is not absurd they assume those betrotheds may wish to share a bed,” Caellum said, clearing his throat. He gestured Sadira through the doorway first, his eyes flitting to the open back of her gown, noting the flush of her pale skin from the warmth in the tavern. He focused on the ceiling and hovered in the doorway.
“I will ask for a separate room close by,” he announced. Sadira reached for the trunk of her belongings at the end of the bed that had already been brought to the room, sat snugly next to his at the end of the bed. She turned towards him and retrieved a silk robe, her hair tumbling over her shoulder and glinting beneath the light of the lanterns hanging on either side of the bed.
“It is late, I—” Sadira clutched the robe to her stomach. “I do not mind if you stay here. It will save you trouble. It is already dark, and we must leave early for the Neutral City.” He did not know if he imagined the blush across her cheeks, but she spoke again before he could reply. “It is a long ride; we need to be well rested, particularly after drinking.”
Caellum hesitated before crossing the threshold and closing thedoor behind him.
“I will warm some water for you so you can bathe.” He avoided her gaze as he strode for the adjoining room, attempting to busy himself. The distraction was short-lived, however, as he dipped his hand in the tub to find it had been warmed for them. “You must be aching after so long travelling,” he said. He turned from the tub and almost collided with Sadira, who stood in the doorway. He braced his hand against the top of the frame to avoid tumbling into her, his heart pounding when Sadira peered up at him through her lashes, locking her green eyes on his.
“I shall leave you to enjoy your bath in peace,” he mumbled. She grazed past him, brushing her chest against his. Caellum clenched his jaw as he fought the urge to pause, keeping the closeness that had bloomed between them ever since the engagement ball. His eyes lingered on her back as she reached for the buttons on her dress. He grabbed a cloth and a bowl of cold water from the side and closed the door to avoid temptation.
Once he washed himself, he changed into his sleeping attire; a simple pair of loose trousers while he kept his chest bare. He stoked the fire and paced in front of the bed. Did he get in it? He yanked the sheets, flattened them back into place, and continued pacing. He locked his hands behind his neck and glanced at the desk, unsure whether to wait until Sadira chose her side of the bed. He crossed to the desk and opened the book atop it to appear engrossed with reading, butwho reads topless?He panicked and scraped back the wooden chair again, returning to the bed. “Pull yourself together,” he scolded himself.
The door to the bathing chambers creaked open, forcing Caellum to decide. He slid into the bed and pulled the sheets to cover his chest.
Caellum took an intake of breath as Sadira emerged, the steam from the bathroom gracing her entrance. She cast her eyes downward and squeezed a towel around her hair, which hung over one shoulder. Her bare feet were quiet as she padded out a few steps,still focused on the floor. Caellum trailed her ankle-length, sage green robe tied at her waist. The lace at the sleeves slipped down as her arms moved to discard the towel. In doing so her damp hair partially soaked through the fabric, and Caellum swallowed at the subtle peaks of her nipples. Sadira looked up at him, and he quickly averted his gaze.
“You do not wish to bathe?” she asked, and Caellum looked back at her, noting the pattern of her curls forming in her damp hair. She made for the bed, the robe tantalising him with a flash of her smooth, bare legs beneath.
“I washed quickly with a cloth. As you said, we must be up early, and I did not want to keep you up.” He smiled, and Sadira bit her lip, glancing at his chest before sliding in beside him.
“That is very considerate.”
“I will blow out the lanterns,” he said, reaching for the one on his side. She placed a hand on his arm.
“Do you mind if we leave one on?” she asked, extinguishing the flame in hers. Caellum withdrew his arm but did not ask Sadira why as she slid down the headboard further under the sheets. The robe gaped at her chest. She wore nothing beneath it. He tried to think of anything but Sadira’s body as he settled in beside her, yet he felt those mesmerising green eyes on him. He turned on his side and mirrored her position. Sadira’s golden hair spilled over the pillow, and with a somewhat intoxicated confidence, he slowly reached up to twist it around his fingers, moving with caution. Shedid not move away, but her eyes roamed his features.
“Are you sure you could do this for the rest of your life?” She breathed as she pulled the sheets up, shifting closer as she did so. Her shins met his, and he prayed she did not move them back. When they remained, he answered.
“Do what?”
Sadira smiled, reaching for Caellum’s hand resting on his side. Her finger traced small circles on the back of it.
“This—lying next to me every night and waking up to me every morning.” Her eyes were wide and honest when he stared back at her.
“I know I could,” he murmured. His hands twisted in her hair, moving towards her scalp.
“I could, too,” she breathed, and the scent of sweet wine hit him. She moved her leg, and for a moment, he mourned the distance until she hooked it over his and pulled him closer. Caellum did not want to make a wrong move or risk ruining what blossomed between them before it even stood a chance. His hand was tentative as it slipped from hers and travelled under the sheets, resting on the curve of her hip. She pressed her chest closer to him.
He wanted to kiss her, wanted to search every inch of her body but he restrained himself, waiting for Sadira to make the move as a confirmation of what she wanted. Thathewas what she wanted. Sadira’s eyes fluttered shut as he splayed his fingers across her hip, the silk thin against her skin. He tugged it gently to stroke her thigh, and she whimpered. The beautiful, graceful, powerful, and self-assured woman beside himwhimperedat his touch. She deserved everything—more than this.
“I want to kiss you,” he breathed, and Sadira’s mouth parted. His hand moved to the roots of her hair, gripping it gently to restrain himself, and she groaned. “But you deserve our first kiss to be a fairytale, a moment befitting you. This bed—this inn—is not deserving of your lips,” he murmured. The corner of Caellum’s lip lifted as Sadira’s brow furrowed slightly. She opened her eyes, and he saw himself falling within them. She trailed her hand up his abdomen, and he clenched her waist with one hand and her hair with the other.
