Page 184 of Forcing Fate

“What in all of Rinmoth,” he said, struggling to stand, “is so important that you’d think about it and not watch your footing?”

My laughter died in a nervous giggle, and I pushed to my feet, trying to shake out the snow. “You don’t want to know,” I jested.

“I really think I do.”

I looked up, and a strange pull warmed my belly. He raised his brows with a knowing smile. Slowly, he slid his hand under the cloth around his face and tugged it off, opening his left eye. He squinted against the snow, and I let my heart dictate my actions.

I reached up and held his face, rubbing my thumb across the scars at the corner of his eye.

“Beautiful,” I breathed.

He placed his hand over mine, holding it in place. Turning his face, he watched me. He pressed my palm to his mouth, and I thought I would die in suspense. His lips parted, and he gently nipped at my palm, tugging the skin before dropping it and stepping away.

I struggled to breathe and took a moment to gather my wits.

Wits? What wits? Surely they had fled with the rest of the Tennan this morn.

Turning, I followed Rafe to the spring. “My mother.”

He glanced back, his silver eye shining with an unnatural light. “Hmm?”

“I was thinking of my mother.” I lied.

He clung to the stone wall, walking to the cavern’s entrance. I took up my position right outside as he ducked in. We waited for each other here in the winter months, staying out of sight, but close enough that the spring’s heat offered warmth against the elements. I settled against the cold stone and looked out over the frozen lake.

“Liar.”

I jumped at his deep voice, so close to my ear.

“Come here.”

I turned and swallowed past the lump in my throat. He stood in the cavern.

Come here?

Come there?

In there?

With him?

“I—Rafe,” I stammered.

He watched me with an amused smirk. “You’re soaking wet. Bathe first. I’ll shave, then wash.”

My heart beat so hard I thought it might jump out of my chest. He was asking me to come in with him. It made logical sense. It was the sensible thing to do.

Then why did it seem like this was not the most sensible thing to do?

I jerked my head in a nod and entered, setting my bag next to the spring. He sat on the floor between the spring and the entrance with his back to me. He started pulling items out of his bag, and I stood there, frozen in terror.

He wanted me to strip.

In the same room as him.

Why had I thought this was logical?

“Vy–” He peeked over his shoulder, his silver eye watching me.

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