Page 42 of The Shadow of Polaris

“Oh, I’m so glad you’re here. I’m so glad,” she cried as she squeezed tighter.

I was a giant next to her petite frame. I worried I’d snap her in two if I squeezed back.

“Margie, don’t scare her,” Lytos chuckled, tapping his wife on her shoulder.

Margerie pulled away, her round eyes twinkling with admiration as she looked at me.

“Oh, I’m sorry. We’ve just been waiting for you for a very long time.” She trailed off, looking at her son, who was now stroking Arcturas gingerly across the back.

“I’m not sure what I can do for you, but thank you for allowing me into your home.” I smiled softly, but my fists were still clenched in my trouser pockets.

“I told Elpis that you had some old clothes lying around she could borrow,” Lytos prompted his wife. She threw her hands up excitedly, her smile stretching across the entirety of her slender face.

“Oh, yes! I’m sure we can find something! Follow me.” She reached for my hand and pulled me down the hallway.

Turning into one bedroom, she motioned for me to sit on a royal red chaise that rested by the window. The bedroom was exquisite. A large window overlooked the pastures down the hill and a four poster bed with delicately carved florals centered the room. Margerie disappeared into her closet, throwing various tunics and trousers into a pile at my feet. By the time she returned, I was buried in pinks and yellows.

“Alright! So there’s plenty to choose from. Take what you need. You’re nearly a foot taller than me, so I apologize if the trousers are too short. The bathing chamber is down the hallway on your left. Take your time. I’m sure it was a long road from Ursae and, well, Ryx can be hard company.” She smiled warmly at me, resting her palms on her cheeks.

Nearly speechless, I whispered a thank you as she closed the door behind her. Undressing was difficult. Large, swollen welts had appeared on my thighs and abdomen. Deep, scabbed over cuts littered my arms from where the thorns had pierced my skin. Every inch of my body was battered and torn.

Wrapping a towel around myself, I hurriedly tiptoed to the bathing chamber and washed. The sharp shower of water was excruciating against my bruised body. Wincing, I scraped away the thick layer of grime.

When finally I was clean, I stepped out of the shower and dried off. Tightly tucking the towel back around myself, I opened the door and stepped directly into Aryx. The hard muscle of his chest pressed into my damp skin.

“Wh-What the hell are you doing?” I stammered, jerking away. His cheeks burned a deep purple as he scanned down my exposed flesh. The towel was a mere scrap, not nearly covering enough.

“I’m sorry. I thought you were done.” He held a similarly colored towel in one hand and a change of clothes in the other. Suddenly very interested in his bare feet, he lowered his gaze and stepped aside, letting me pass.

“Yes, well, I wasn’t. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t barge in on me,” I snapped, brushing past him. Nostrils flaring, I glanced back at him. The strands of his tunic were untied, and the material hung low on his chest, revealing the sharp curve of his pectorals. Twin tattoos traced each collarbone with straight, thick lines.

Aryx opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, I whipped my head away and hurried down the hallway back to Margerie’s bedchamber, and slammed the door behind me.

Wiping droplets of water from across my brow, I dropped my towel and wrapped it around my head. I breathed deeply and fanned myself, trying to cool the hot flash across the nape of my neck. Aryx was beautiful, classically so. He was a killer, a ruthless liar. Every instinct told me to run. But the woman I’d kept locked in a box deep inside burst into flames with every accidental touch between us.

Pull yourself together, Elpis. I scowled and reached for a black tunic draped across the chaise. After searching for a pair of trousers that fell even close to my ankles, I quickly combed through my hair and started for the kitchen.

Lytos and Margerie sat at an antique round table. The scent of roasted coffee lingered with beams of late morning light. The steam from their mugs billowed into the air as Lytos motioned for me to sit. Margerie rose from her seat to pour coffee and pass me a slice of quiche.

“I’m happy to make you something if you’d like anything else.” She rested the plate in front of me and waited for me to dig in. I smiled and took a bite.

“This is delicious, thank you,” I said through a large mouthful.

“Oh, wonderful! I’m glad you like it.” She pushed her blonde hair over her shoulder and returned to her seat. The couple stared at me as I continued eating.

“You two will scare her away if you keep eyeing her like that,” Aryx said, appearing in the corridor.

His golden hair, now damp, hung at his shoulders and the heat from the shower left his skin glowing in the soft light. I avoided his eye contact, focusing intently on my quiche. My cheeks grew hot at the thought of that tan chest against mine and I found it hard to swallow, my throat suddenly dry. Margerie placed a plate at the empty seat across the table as he sat down. I stared into my mug, avoiding those piercing, golden eyes.

“So, you’re headed to Canissa?” Lytos asked, sipping his coffee.

“I think that’s the best place to start. You know Altair’s reaction when he sees me will be…interesting.” Aryx picked at the crumbs remaining on his plate.

“Yes, but if you explain the plan, I think he’ll be convinced. He’s an understanding God. Just tell him the truth.” Lytos glanced at me, then back at Aryx.

“We’ll see. I think Elpis has a better chance than I do.”

“Why?” I interjected, my ears perked at the mention of my name.

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