Chapter 20
Carwyn groaned as she fell onto a gigantic pillow – one that had obviously been made for nobles to laze upon. It was so soft and thick that she sunk into it but never touched the hard ground below.
I want to go back to sleep.
That bath was exactly what she’d needed.
Heat to soothe her sore and aching muscles.
To be enclosed in water from head to toe, so she felt completely and utterly clean.
To rinse her hair thoroughly to remove all the natural oils and potential build-up of dust. To lie in something so she felt weightless and lazy while it soaked in like a balm to her very soul.
She’d stayed in the water so long her fingertips pruned. She made the dragon reheat it when it started to cool, and she even considered falling asleep in it.
She didn’t know when he’d let her return to it, if at all, and she’d decided to bask for as long as she could.
Bringing a smaller pillow closer to cuddle face down, she gave a drawn-out, contented sigh.
I would’ve preferred to be naked, though. She peeked open her lazy eyes to peer at the stone wall. I actually wouldn’t have cared if he saw me fully unclothed.
Carwyn might be a little bashful, but she was far from a saint.
She had no issue stripping. She had four sisters. She’d seen their naked bodies enough to have very few insecurities of her own. Then there was Valerie. Her indifference to everything meant the woman had regularly paraded around naked without a care in the world.
But... the reason Carwyn hadn’t completely disrobed in front of the dragon was simple, despite the fact that nudity meant very little to his kind. If I’m to be naked in front of a man, I’d want him to desire me.
She refused to believe anything other than that she was lovely. She didn’t want to be looked upon with indifference. She wanted to see heat in his gaze, to see his restraint. To know she was wanted, even if she couldn’t let him touch her bare skin.
But Kier could.
Gosh, he could touch her, and all she’d feel was his warmth and scales.
She’d been so turned on by that prospect she was thankful the water hid the intense scent of it. The reminder that she was having a bath in front of a man – of sorts – didn’t escape her notice, and her mind had gone spiralling, especially after his earlier misunderstanding.
I’d give anything for someone to touch me.
But no. The dragon was apparently an unseeing idiot to not realise she was sensual, beautiful, and worthy to be longed for.
I’d give anything for him to desire me. Just a little taste of what she was missing.
With her thoughts irritating her because she hated all this yearning and longing for companionship, she slapped her hands against the bedding. Then she pushed herself up with a grumble.
She’d come in here to change out of her wet chemise and put on dry clothing – only to body slam her bedding immediately afterwards. The gurgle in her stomach intensified, reminding her she hadn’t eaten since the previous night, as she’d searched for him right after waking.
Seriously. The gifts must cease.
Carwyn left her makeshift room and walked up the incline. She smoothed back her loose, damp curls, wishing she’d brushed them while in the water. To do so now, while they were already drying, would cause the curl patterns to separate and give her more volume than she liked.
I wonder what he made to eat, she thought, glancing through each entryway she passed. I’m getting tired of stews and soups.
Yes, all Selene could consume was liquid, but Carwyn wanted to eat a real meal. Some meat would be nice too.
She rounded the bend of the cooking alcove.
The moment she looked inside, she gasped, jolted backwards, and threw her back against the outer wall. Her heart leapt into a sprint, while her breaths whispered in and out in quick succession.
Oh my gods, he’s human! her mind screamed.
Fully clothed, he’d been bringing a spoonful of food to his lips while leaning over a pot.
Shit! No no no!
“You’ve already seen it,” he said plainly, followed by the sound of liquid being slurped from the spoon. “No point in hiding.”
“Yes... but! B-but that was different,” she argued, digging her fingertips into the wall. “I swear, I remember very little, and I barely noticed this time.”
A humming chuckle came from within. “Carwyn, there is no use in pretending. You have seen.”
Her brows pinched with distress. “But...”
“You and I have already broken dragon law. Or, rather, since there are no laws pertaining to what you have done, they will make one and punish us nonetheless for it.”
“Oh gods,” Carwyn whimpered. “I didn’t think about that. So I’m trapped either way.”
Kier tsked. “Selene will keep it a secret, as she won’t want anyone learning a witch has been frolicking through her mind, nor the reason for it. We are a very proud bloodline.”
When Carwyn’s only answer was a groan, Kier sighed.
“What difference does it make if we break another rule? If no one tells them, how are they to know?”
Her lips parted and her fingers stopped scratching the wall as she whispered, “What?”
“Come, eat. The decision will still be Selene’s.”
The tension in her body unwound even more, and her heart stopped racing in fear, but more in shy yet inquisitive nervousness. Can I really look upon him and not be trapped forever? He’d allow her this?
Carwyn dabbed her tongue at the seam of her lips and peeked around the entry wall. Like before, he was leaning over the pot, about to take another spoonful.
His ruby eyes cut to the corners of his lids, suddenly focusing on her, and her spine stiffened.
She froze. One side of his mouth quirked as he took a taste, and then he reached for a bowl to serve himself a meal.
He retrieved a second one from a neat stack and served her a steaming portion as well.
He placed both bowls on the table, but there was only one lonely chair, so he picked his bowl back up and leaned his round backside against a carved stone counter to eat. Carwyn slipped inside and pressed her back against the wall, refusing to come closer.
Her stomach was too tangled in knots for her to approach the provided meal; she was worried that she’d feel the need to flee before she even tried a bite. Her heart raced as she stared at him, and he kept his intense gaze upon her.
His legs were clad in brown trousers, while a light-grey tunic covered his torso. The sleeves had been rolled up to his elbows, revealing a light dusting of black hair on his forearms. Black boots shined in the low light, looking brand new and never worn – just as she would’ve expected from him.
I didn’t expect him to be so strong-looking, though.
He didn’t have large muscles, but his forearms flexed distractingly whenever he lifted the spoon to his lips.
Lips that were firmly shaped, with the bottom one a little fuller.
His nose was straight, strong, and exquisitely sculpted, as were his jaw and the jut of his chin.
Dear heavens, he’s fucking gorgeous.
His black hair was a few inches long. Enough to sweep in front of his brow and over the back of his shirt’s neckline.
It was straight, just like Selene’s, but it was messy and partially swept back, while the other half nearly hung over his eye.
His skin was a moderate tan, and she could see the pale line of a scar across his neck – although she didn’t know if there were more.
I’ve... never noticed if he has scars or not. She was usually too enraptured by his handsome dragon face to go truly wandering. She’d also very rarely seen his belly since he walked around on all fours.
His eyes are even more alluring like this. Still a set of rubies, but their slitted pupils made him appear menacing. Like a beautiful man who had a more carnal, animalistic side to him. That’s because he’s not a man, Carwyn, not really.
One of his thick, dark brows raised as he regarded her, still pressed against the wall, unmoving.
“It’s not that much of a revelation,” he said, and only now did she hear that his voice lacked its growly, beastly edge.
Gosh. Even his voice is nice.
“I never thought I’d meet one of your kind, let alone see their human face.”
His brow furrowed as he looked beyond her. “But you have seen Selene’s.”
“It’s different.”
“How so?”
“Because she didn’t have a choice.”
Because she’s not a handsome man I could very much see myself sinking my teeth into. The idea both terrified her and aroused her.
Aroused because she was a woman who easily fanned her face at pretty men. Terrified because the idea of anyone with skin touching her worried her down to the pit of her soul. She could gaze but never touch, never kiss, never hold their hand in an innocent, tender embrace.
Men were forbidden creatures.
And Carwyn hated it. She hated that she must always be separated from them, when she longed for nothing else but to finally be entangled with one freely.
Why must my gifts come with such terrible curses?
Kier sighed as if he found her reaction bothersome, then placed his bowl down beside him on the carved stone ledge.
Before she knew it, he’d crossed the distance between them.
She turned, ready to bolt, and he threw his hand out against the wall, blocking her and making her recoil so she didn’t touch his bare forearm.
The other came up, blocking her other direction, and she found herself trapped between them out of fear of touching any part of him. Even her cheek against a wrist would throw his emotions at her.
Although the truth might be enlightening, just having someone else’s foreign emotions inside her felt like a violation.
To her, to them. It felt wrong, sickening.
And worse, sometimes their emotions could hurt.
Sometimes... they could control hers until she numbed out and all that remained was theirs.
Cupping her hands to her chest protectively, wishing she had her gloves, she shrunk between his straightened arms. He lowered himself, which made it apparent that he was rather tall, until he was at eye level with her.