Page 39 of Lord of Dance and Desire

I sighed, and began to strip out of leggings and T-shirt, the leotard and underwear beneath it. I took my hair out of the bun because my head was beginning to throb.

Constin straightened. “In you go.”

He wasn’t fussy in the same way Andrei was fussy, so he let me get into the tub on my own. I slid into hot frothy water with a pleased sigh and closed my eyes, listening with half an ear as Constin undressed, then entered on the opposite side.

I had to stop calling it a tub. What was the word for a small square pool filled with water for purposes other than bathing? Because I'd noted that unless Andrei was interested in fun and games, he tended to use the shower tucked in the corner.

“What does he want, Constin?”

The luudthen, one of my protectors, didn't pretend to misunderstand. I opened my eyes so I could watch his expression.

“He wants to die.”

I flicked water at him. “Could you, I don't know, maybe expound on that? Andrei said something similar and it's fascinating that you call him close-mouthed, but you answer my question the same way.”

Constin sighed, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. He'd let his hair loose, so it floated in silver-gold strands around him in the water.

“He lost a bonded consort over a century ago. Two? He's never been the warm and fuzziest bunny among us, but after that he started splashing in the deep end of the crazy pool.”

“How much time have you and Philea spent in America again? Never mind—you’re trying to distract me.”

His lip curled up, though he didn't open his eyes or move. “A little time. I go when I need to escape. Philea grew up in Everenne. She was born into House Wairumu.”

“What?”

“You’ll have to ask her. It’s not my story to tell.”

I mulled over that for a few minutes. “When you say he lost his bonded consort, did Andrei have anything to do with it?”

“No.”

“Well, that's even more baffling, Constin. Why target me? I know you both think he's trying to suicide by High Lord,but. . .couldn't it be something as simple as he sees a shiny new toy and wants to take it?”

He lifted a hand, letting water drops fall from his fingertips. “I'm sure it's a bit of that too.”

“All right. Stop me when you think I'm wrong. If he wants to suicide by Fae Lord, he'll keep coming after me with everything he's got until you all smash him, yes? But if he wants to play with me, it's not the same scenario. He'll be sneakier. I'll have to worry about things other than bad guys jumping out of shadows.”

Constin lifted his head and opened his eyes. “You don't have to worry about that regardless, Anah. We’ll protect you.”

I blew out a breath. “I know you will. But I need to protect myself too.”

“And you think ruminating over his motivations will help you achieve that?”

“I don't know. I don't know anything, Con. You don't have to mock me though.”

His voice was very even. “I'm not mocking you.” He paused. “Maybe I'm being a little condescending. I don't want you to think about it.”

“A little condescending?”

“You are such adifficultwoman. Come here.”

“I don’t think so.”

“If you make me chase you. . .”

I splashed him again. “You’ll do what?”

Constin rose, chin lowered, water sliding down his sleek golden body, and stepped forward.

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