Page 44 of Omega Sanctuary

I knew the truth. I was a failure.

I handed her the tin of baking soda, watching her hands work the dough. Heat warmed me, and I looked away.

"You think Hashir will be able to find anything out?"

"Yes."

Hashir was an old friend. We transported goods across Andaria before I switched to working with the Temples. He'd had my back more times than I could count, and having a loyal friend was worth more to me than any of the diamonds in the world.

It was luck of the gods that we were close to Ronahim, that Hashir was there. I wasn't sure what lie I would have come up with to push the soldiers off if he hadn't been close by.

Tension shot through me. I let out a breath, pulling on the early days of my training. Focus on controlling the things I could control, leave everything else to the gods.

For all the good it had done me.

Zara brushed her shoulder against mine, and my head swam. Leave everything else to the gods, I told myself. She wasn't for me.

She deserved better.

After a pan of croissants and fruit tarts, I'd worked myself into a state.

My heart beat heavy against my chest, and every inch of skin tingled. I stole glances at his arms, his butt, his powerful thighs. His touch was a mouthwatering dessert I could never afford.

My core was swollen and hot, walking an act of torture.

Nova was right. It didn't matter how many times I glanced at him with a bright smile or brushed against him. If I wanted a kiss, I would have to suck up my pride and make an awkward pass.

It was that or die of sexual frustration. If he turned me down, I could always throw myself off a nearby cliff.

"I didn't know you could cook." I gave him my best charming smile, hoping I didn't look deranged.

"Not that well." Valens shrugged. "Better at listening."

I brushed against him, pretending to check the cook on the fruit tarts even though they were perfect. He was so close I could smell the spice of him over the sweet fruit.

"Being a good listener must be useful."

I had no idea where I was going with that. Valens didn't either, because he frowned a little. "Yes?"

I edged closer. We were almost but not quiet touching and the last tiny bit of distance was killing me.

I looked up at him and willed him to kiss me. He went quiet and looked down at me.

I'd read a lot of romance novels and I thought maybe he was looking at my mouth, but didn't know how to tell for sure.

I put my hands up tentatively and laid them on his chest.

Sparks arced from my hands down my body. My insides quivered, and I blinked a few times trying to rein in the rising heat. Valens swallowed hard. Every breath he took with my hands on his chest was an eternity of longing and heat.

"Zara," he breathed. "What do you..."

He stopped talking. I waited for him to finish. The moment hung on his next words.

"What?"

Valens took another breath. "What do you want?"

"You." I could only whisper.

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