Page 150 of Scourged

Mariah swallowed and left the room, dashing to her bathroom and the shower waiting for her like something chased her.

The water was scalding,dust and sand and dirt sleuthing off her skin and down the drain, and all it had done was boil her blood more than it already was.

Mariah quickly dressed in a pair of leggings and a mustard yellow cotton blouse, staring at her reflection as she toweled off her short hair. While she missed the length and was looking forward to it growing … This cut suited her. Thenewher. The one that was dragged through Enfara itself and spit out the other side, damaged but stronger.

Setting the brush down, she squared her shoulders and strode from her bathroom and through her room into the living and kitchen space beyond.

And halted.

Sebastian had left, as he’d said, but the room was not empty.

Andrian sat at her dining table, leaned back too-casually in a chair, arms folded across his broad chest.

Watching her.

A nervousness sparked in her belly, fluttering about like butterflies. “Something I can help you with?”

His lips twitched. “Yes, actually.” Andrian sat forward, pushing back from the table. “I have a favor to ask of you.”

Mariah eyed him cautiously. “A … favor?” She shifted from foot to foot before crossing her arms herself. “What do you need?”

“Well, now that’s a complicated question, princess.” He now wore a full smirk, but it faltered, just slightly, as he took a step from around the table. He walked to her slowly, as if afraid she might flee.

She hated that she’d made him feel that way. That she was a flight risk, too afraid to stand near him.

She’d decided to no longer be a slave to her fear.

So she took her own step forward, meeting him halfway. His eyes widened, and his nostrils flared, but he said nothing.

They stood no more than a foot from each other, gazes locked.

“What do you need, Andrian?” Her repeated question was pitched low, her voice rough.

He’d spoken those same words to her, too, once. In this very room.

He smiled down at her. Reaching a hand into his pocket, he pulled out something long and shiny and … metal? Her brow twisted, and he opened his hand to reveal a delicate pair of scissors.

The kind Ciana had used on her, just a few weeks prior.

The kind used for cutting hair.

She met his brilliant blue stare. His smile was soft and hesitant, something so unlike him yet so painfully beautiful.

“I need you to give me a haircut.”

Chapter 52

“Okay. Sit.”

Mariah gestured to the cushioned vanity chair in her bathroom, waving the scissors in her hand impatiently. Andrian’s lip pulled back into that familiar smirk as he slid smoothly into the seat. He met her gaze in the mirror, humor flashing in his marvelous eyes.

“Nervous, princess?”

Mariah scoffed. “No. Of course not.” She stepped closer to him, close enough to feel his warmth. “I’ve cut plenty of men’s hair before. Yours is no different.”

“Oh, is that so?” His smirk stretched into a grin. “Care to elaborate?”

“Nope.” She popped the “p” in her response. Her hands were clammy.

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