Page 90 of Inked Athena

“Ahh!”

A sound at the end of the bed sends me snapping upright, yelping as a tall shadow stalks across the room towards me.

“When I say I like to make you scream,” the shadow rumbles, “that’s not exactly what I had in mind.”

I frown and rub my eyes. “What time is it?”

“Midnight.” His voice is whiskey-rough as he lifts a candelabra, its seven flames painting gold streaks across the darkness.

The light slashes across his face, shoving darkness below the cliff of his jaw and into the hollows of his cheeks.

My resolution crumbles like a sandcastle. Every cell in my body screams to drag him into these sheets and ruin us both.

Christ, one look and I’m already drunk on him.

I’m a lightweight.

But Samuil doesn’t look inclined to join me. He holds out a hand. “Come with me,krasavitsa.”

“Now?”

His smile gleams in the candlelight. He looks otherworldly. “Put on your coat and follow me.”

He doesn’t offer any more of an explanation. Why should he explain anything to me?

I’d follow him to the ends of the earth wearing nothing but a smile. But I’m so, so sick of doing it blindly.

“Why?”

“Because it’s cold outside.”

“No,” I grumble impatiently, “I mean, why should I follow you?”

“Because I’m asking nicely.” His voice drops an octave. “And because you’re too curious not to.”

I grit my teeth. Damn him.

I throw off the covers and storm over to my robe, snatching it off the hook like it personally offended me. “This better be worth interrupting my beauty sleep.”

Though who am I kidding? Sleep isn’t what I’d been planning for tonight anyway. But he doesn’t need to know that.

I make my way toward the heavy oak door connecting the bedroom to the castle halls, but Samuil lingers instead by the cramped entrance to the rooftop. He still says nothing. Just holds the candelabra high and waits for me.

With exaggerated annoyance masking my burning curiosity, I stomp up the narrow spiral staircase, making sure each step lets him know I’m displeased.

The moment I step out into the night, the wind slices through me. He was right: I should’ve brought my coat. But I pull my robe more tightly around me.

Then I look up, and all of my annoyance drains away.

The sky is perfectly clear. The moon hangs above us, full and bright. I’ve never seen so many stars. I literally did notknowthere were this many stars.

“Holy shit,” I breathe before I can stop myself. My words are visible as silver plumes in the air. “It’s gorgeous out here.”

Samuil places the candelabra on the stone ledge and gazes out over the vista like he owns it. Which, to be fair, he does. I join him reluctantly at his side, though I stay a few defiant inches away from him. The same inches that have felt like miles since we returned.

The world is so still. The waters of the loch are eerily calm, so it becomes like a mirror reflecting infinity above.

But it’s all so cold and remote and dark and distant that it lands a little too close to him.I’mall those things, too.

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