Page 54 of Crown of Slumber

I looked at him and found his amused eyes fixed on me. Only then did I realize my brows were furrowed, my jaw set with determination. I probably looked ridiculous, so stoically focused on keeping my mind clear of distractions.

“My thoughts are elsewhere,” I said, which was entirely the truth.

“Oh? What are you thinking of?”

My soapy fingers glided up his arm, and he tensed when I reached the tender spot underneath his shoulder.

“A book,” I said.

“What kind of book?”

“Something I read last week. It’s about elves and curses.”

“Oh.”

I arched an eyebrow at him. “What kind of book were you thinking of?”

Fenn grinned. “Something scandalous that you would only be reading in the privacy of your own bedchambers.”

“Gods, do you ever stop? You are utterly incorrigible.”

“Incorrigible? Or irresistible?”

I only sighed, working the soap into his shoulder and then down the left side of his chest. When I reached just below his ribs, he jerked wildly, then snorted.

I stilled, my eyes growing wide. “What was that?”

“Sorry.” He snickered again. “Ticklish.”

My mouth quirked into a smile. “You’reticklish?”

“What’s so unbelievable about that?”

“Oh, nothing… if you’re ten years old.”

“You mean to tell me there isn’t a single spot where you are ticklish?” He gave me a flat look of disbelief.

I swished my soapy hands in the water to rinse the soap off and met his stare with my own. “That is something I never intend for you to find out.”

His eyes glittered. “Mmm, good. I do love a challenge.” His pupils flared, and for a moment, the vibrant green of his eyes seemed to burn, making my skin boil and my blood sing. Heat flooded my face, and my lips parted. He was sitting up in the tub, leaning toward me, so close I could see the droplets of water running down his throat and disappearing down his chest.

I stood so abruptly that my hands splashed water onto the floor. “Your left side is clean,” I muttered quickly before wiping my wet hands on my skirts. “I’ll see about getting us some breakfast while you finish up.”

“Aurelia—”

Before he could say anything else, I slipped out the door, letting it snap shut behind me. For a moment, I leaned against it, focusingon calming my erratic pulse and steadying my breathing. My eyes closed, and my thoughts returned to the book I’d been thinking about.

I will do it, the elven king said. To save my people, I will give my life to end this plague.

The enchantress had nodded solemnly. So be it, she said.

My eyes opened, and I set my lips into a grim line. For a moment, I’d forgotten why I was here—why I was tethered to this infuriating prince in the first place.

My people were in danger. And just like the elven king from the story I’d been reading, I would do whatever it took to save them.

Nothing—not Fenn or his naked body or his lewd jokes—would distract me from that.

I couldn’t shakethe feel of Aurelia’s soft fingers weaving through my hair or dancing over the tenderest part of my abdomen.

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