Page 17 of Scales and Seduction

“Better than I have in a while,” I admit, but not without glancing at the couch. “Did you?”

“It was fine.” But there’s a grimace as he says it that makes me think he’s not entirely truthful. His gaze trails up and down my body in silent appraisal, and, unintentionally, my face heats. I’m unsure what he’s searching for, or if he can smell more of last night’s debauchery from this far away.

“I realize now that you’re awake, you have no clothing to wear to go out today. I should have thought of that last night…” Gideon’s face contorts for a moment before he says apprehensively, “I have tunics you can wear, though they will look far less fashionable than your dress. We’ll go shopping for something after; is that alright?”

“I’m more concerned about whether more of your kind can smell me, like you did last night, than what I look like.” I glance down at the floor for a moment and then inhale a breath. “Could I have some of whatever you’re drinking?”

Gideon nods with a small smile. “Of course, I’ll get you a cup.” The way he moves toward the kitchen has me wonderinghow well he actually slept. His tail drags the floor like he hardly has energy, and his shoulders look tight.

“Are you sure you slept alright?” I’m cautious in the way I ask, fully aware that, because of me, he slept on a couch far too small for him. Still, why would he tell me he’s okay when he’s not?

“I slept perfectly thanks to our extracurricular activities.” Gideon’s tone is playful, and I notice the teasing smirk on his face just as he turns his back to the kettle on the stove.

Heat rushes to my cheeks, climbing my neck like fire. The tension between us hums in the air, a static charge that has only intensified since the moment I met him. “I’d apologize, but I think we both had fun.” A nervous laugh escapes my mouth, and I quickly pretend to be absorbed in the books on his shelves near the mantel.

“Please don’t apologize; it would make me feel terrible. Instead, I’d much prefer that we embrace how much fun we had,” Gideon says as he rummages around in the kitchen.

I stare into the distance, determined not to let my horny mind drift back to his piercing golden eyes as we came. Just the reminder alone makes my body thrum with desire. I’m jolted back to the present. His hand brushes mine. The touch is soft and so quick as he hands me a mug.

“Why don’t you get into the bath?” Gideon pats my shoulder. “I’ll lay out a tunic and feed Noodles.”

“You don’t have to take care of him. He’s my re?—”

Gideon’s stare pins me, and he shakes his head, interrupting me with just the look in his eyes. “You are my guest, Ruby, and I will take care of you both. Don’t worry, he and I have become close pals since last night. He’s quite the little mischief maker.”

There’s something in the way he says “mischief maker,” like he’s tucking a secret away just between him and Noodles.Despite the lingering mystery that is my fat, grumpy cat, the idea of being clean does sound irresistibly tempting.

Gideon’s slender hand lifts my chin, his index finger grazing the soft curve of my bottom lip. The air between us vibrates with unspoken tension, and even that small touch sends a deep ache coursing through me, igniting a desire for so much more. “Let me care for you, little morsel,” he murmurs, his voice low. “At least for the remainder of your stay here.”

He leans down slightly, his finger never leaving its place as his other hand finds mine. His grip is gentle and firm, bringing my hand to his lips and pressing a tender kiss on the back. My chest tightens, and I can’t stop the soft, staggering breath I draw in at the gallantry of it.

“Are you trying to win me over?” I whisper.

“Yes,” he admits without hesitation, his golden eyes steady on mine. “I swiped right for a reason, even if, at first, I assumed there was no way a human woman would be real. I feel strongly that you’re here for a reason. As long as you’re here, Ruby, I want to know who you are deep inside. I want to know everything there is to know about you because, if you are my fated mate—if those old wives tales are to be believed, I want to show you the adoration you deserve.”

“Do you truly believe I’m your soulmate, Gideon?”

Gideon lets me go, giving me a gentle smile that says so much more than any words might. “I do, and there’s something fun about finding out if you’ll believe it too.”

Each movement is stiff and sends a dull ache that radiates from tail to hip. Even the chill of the cobblestones sends shooting pains through me. My body is thrumming with pain from sleeping cramped on the sofa. Even on the best of days, my large bed can still leave my arthritic body aching in pain.

Ruby walks beside me, her face lit up with curiosity as she takes in my small town. Despite my stiffness, I manage to smile whenever she glances my way. I don’t want her to be concerned about me when her entire life is hanging in a delicate balance. Hiding my pain is something almost natural for me. A prince can never show his weakness, but today feels tremendously hard.

The town buzzes with its usual energy as creatures of all shapes and sizes bustle through the streets. They still regard me with their usual formalities, and every bow of my neck sends a twinge of pain down my spine.

“Does your world always appear so overwhelming?” she asks, her voice mixed with awe.

“Most days.” I keep my tone light as she pauses to look inside the coffee shop’s window. “It can be a little intense when you’re not used to it.”

“Everyone is so…big,” she whispers the last word as her eyes glance upward at me. “Why is everyone so tall?”

I can’t help the laugh that escapes my lips. It tugs at my heart to see the wonder she has with each moment in my world. “Likely because you’re so short,” I quip, enjoying the moments of levity we have. Though there are things I’m still concerned about her knowing—for one, her cat is possibly from this realm, and the other is what will happen once everyone knows she’s human.

Slowly, we near Loran’s quaint apartment. The cobblestones give way to a narrow path lined with wildflowers, and beside it is the school. The scents of chamomile and lavender waft through the air as the herbs sway in the breeze.

“What is that smell?” Ruby’s head swivels around, glancing at all the flowers Loran grows in the field.

I love every moment I have with her; she’s so inquisitive. Another smile tugs at my lips, and I feel the ache radiate through my jaw. “Loran grows various plants and herbs to use for tonic and draughts. He’s a teacher here at the school; he trains children to learn medicinal magic.”

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