Chapter 29 #2
Al’s grip on her shoulder was firm but comforting as he guided her to sit on the edge of the bed.
Sera lay back. As she’d imagined, it felt like a cloud.
Alistair entered what she assumed was the bathing chamber.
She supposed she should be more concerned about what could be lurking there, but the lord of this manor, Vasso, could kill them with a flick of his wrist.
He’d made that clear with whatever he’d done to Al.
The amount of power that came off him… Sera shuddered, just as she had every other time she’d encountered him. What didn’t make sense was why Ophelia was here. Why would an oracle associate herself with a demon lord?
Being shunned for sixty years probably didn’t give her much of a choice regarding allies. But why not kill her? To even consider Lord Vasso safe would make her a fool.
“Seems clear,” Alistair said. “You hurt?”
She lifted her head off the bed. “You’re the one who was about to reach burnout to save us.”
He huffed a laugh. “Maybe you’re right.”
“That’s the smartest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
Al wiped his hand over his mouth. There were burns over his face, down his chin. That kiss, the heat between them. Sera touched her lips and pulled her hand away. Her face was covered in blackened demon blood.
“You’re the fucking Mesar?”
“Yes.” He was tense.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It’s not really something I’m allowed to announce.” He wiped his mouth again. The burns, the sensitivity to demons. Of course he would be the perfect fit. He could tell who his target was without question, with a brush of his hand. “Sera, I think we should leave.”
“How do you suppose we’ll get out of here? You’re not strong enough to travel. Did you pay attention to which tunnels get us back to the main entrance?” She shook her head and grabbed his gloved hand. “Did you forget about the horde of beasts that almost ripped us apart?”
The muscles in his jaw flexed. “This place feels wrong. Don’t you feel it?”
“Other than the pit of anxiety swirling in my gut, knowing we are in a demon lord’s den, surrounded by things that want to kill us, and the fact that this lord probably controls them?
No, I don’t feel anything else.” He didn’t smile like she wanted him to.
Sera scooched herself off the bed and stood.
“Stay here, rest, and keep healing that wound on your side. I’ll bathe and get this blood washed off me, and then we can make a plan. Together.”
“You shouldn’t be alone.”
“Are you asking to join me?” Sera raised a brow. Al’s cheeks turned bright red as he sat on the edge of the mattress, holding his side again. She held out her hands, and he took them, deep concern drawn on every inch of his face.
“I’ll be a room away,” she said and let him go.
“You’ll knock on the wall if you need me?” he asked as she entered the bathing chamber.
“I promise.” She closed the door behind her.
Safety wasn’t her first thought while she was undressing. It was the fact that she was naked and Alistair Alcott was steps away.
And all she wanted was his hands on her.
She supposed she should be embarrassed, considering the immense danger they were in. But all she wanted was to escape for a short time. And being wrapped around Al sounded like a great way to do that.
Then there was the lord.
Heat burned through her as she thought of him, what he had done. The arrogance, the nerve, after saying they were welcome… to ask if they needed anything. Sera swore the water in the tub rose a few degrees from the amount of heat running through her. She picked up a cloth and scrubbed.
After Sera had changed the water twice, her body finally lost the sheen of grease and grime caked into the creases of her elbows, knees, and knuckles.
She slipped back into her dirty pants and Legion tunic, wishing she had her pack with a less dirty uniform.
She unwrapped her hair, then rubbed hard at the roots before letting her curls air-dry.
Shadow, please keep Snik safe. She sent a kernel for an offering and prayed he’d make it home.
“There’s plenty of hot water. Go clean yourself up,” she said, leaving the chamber and using a towel to scrunch the water from her curls.
“Do not leave this room.”
Sera rolled her eyes. “I won’t. Now go. You smell.”
He gave her a small smile and closed the door behind him. Once Sera heard the water running, she tiptoed to the door and peeked into the hallway.
Her eyes met Ophelia’s.
“Shit,” she said, her heart pounding.
“My intention was not to startle you. I wanted to make sure your accommodations were acceptable.”
Sera released a breath. “Yes, they’re fine, thanks.”
A second later, Alistair barreled out of the bathing chamber, wearing nothing but a towel around his waist. The wound on his side was still raw and angry. “I heard something.”
Sera took in every inch of hard muscle and swallowed. She admired his pectorals and his abs, and her eyes stopped at the V that dropped below the white towel.
Alistair cleared his throat.
“I’m fine. Ophelia just startled me, is all.” She did her best to give him a reassuring smile, trying to lessen the heat building between her legs.
He nodded and looked at Ophelia before turning back toward his bath. “I’ll be another moment. Don’t go anywhere without me.” He closed the door behind him, leaving a puddle of bathwater and an acute awareness of desire.
“I’m assuming you’re here to escort us to dinner?” Sera asked.
“I am, but you’re not attending in that.
” Ophelia snapped her fingers, and a gown appeared in her outstretched hands.
“Please wear this while I have your current clothing… laundered. Just leave your uniforms by the door. I’ll make sure they’re ready for your departure.
” The oracle looked like she had smelled something rancid.
Sera paused before taking the gown from her and placing it tenderly on the bed. Ophelia followed, laying out an outfit for Al as well.
“When you’re both dressed, meet me at my pool.” Ophelia gave her a look over and left.
Sera lifted the gown. It was jet black, with a square neckline and sheer black organza puff sleeves cinched at the wrists.
She slipped it over her head and admired the formfitting bodice, which hugged every curve from her chest to just below her hips.
From there, the skirt fell straight to the ground.
She stared at herself in the mirror, where her curls melded seamlessly with the dress, making her green eyes practically glow.
She slipped on her boots, which looked wildly out of place against the elegance of the gown, and admired herself.
It’d been ages since she felt pretty. Long before that abominable well of magic opened within her.
Sera cracked the door to the bathing chamber. “Ophelia left us some new clothes. I’m going to wait for you to change in the hall.”
“Sera…”
“I’ll be right outside. I promise.”
The splash of water hitting the ground made her close the door and leave the bedroom, allowing him some privacy to change.
Sera leaned against the stone wall and waited. They’d found the oracle. Alistair’s job was over. But hers? The doorways? She was no closer to finding those than she had been before.
The ruins, if you could call them that, were swarming with those things. And unless Al was back to his full health, she wouldn’t be able to chance it. Then there was the other concern… that he’d leave her on her own.
Alistair opened the door. In contrast with the ruggedness she had been accustomed to over the past few weeks, he looked pale and uncomfortable, dressed in head to toe black.
“Black isn’t really your color, is it?”
“It’s not my favorite, but you look—” He paused. His eyes trailed over the gown’s neckline to her waist, and then to the floor. “Beautiful. It’s like it was made for you.”
Despite the danger… his injury… the fact that they were in a demon lord’s lair, Sera couldn’t help but beam at him. “Are you feeling better?”
“A little.”
“Good. Ophelia wants us to meet her near the mirroring pool,” Sera said, looping her arm in his.
“So we’re having dinner with a demon lord who tried to kill us?” His face was grave as he looked forward.
“We don’t have a choice.”
Alistair nodded, and they walked to meet the oracle.