Page 173 of The Throne Seeker
“It’s me,” she said, scooting closer. “How do you feel?”
“Better.” He looked around the room. “How long have I been asleep?”
“Since last night.” She did her best to hide the flood of emotion threatening to burst, but her composure broke with just one brush of his gaze. Her hand gripped his collar firmly, bringing him closer. “You can’t scare me like that,” she whispered, wanting it to come out harsher than it did.
To her surprise, he gave her a lazy smile.
Gods, has he always been this handsome?
He drew her in as one strong hand cradled the nape of her neck. “I didn’t expect you to care so much.”
She didn’t find it funny. “Of course I care.”
His eyes searched hers as if trying to decipher what those words meant until he let out a dry cough. “Is there water?”
“Oh—yes. I’ll get it.” She got out of bed, seeking the glass in the darkness. Spotting the tray with the pitcher by the window, she poured the water into the glass.
It wasn’t until she felt Roman’s breath on her shoulder that she realized he’d gotten up to follow her.
He placed his hands smoothly on her hips.
A soft tremor shook her knees, causing her to almost drop the glass. She masked all of this and faced him, fighting to keep her hands steady as she held it out.
He drank it in a few large gulps. Once it was empty, he set it down and said, “I want to take you somewhere.”
Her eyes widened. “What? Now? It’s the middle of the night. You need rest.”
“I’ve rested enough. I’ll be fine as long as you’re with me… Trust me,” he added, brushing her cheek with his knuckles.
His touch caused a wild desire to rise within her, forced to fight the burning need for his body against hers. She gazed at him hesitantly but found herself nodding.
He took her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. A flutter ran up her arm from the innocent touch, pushing her limits.
After putting on their cloaks, Roman led her through the darkened hallways, the torches out for the night, leaving only moonlight and stars to guide them. She was nearly blind in the darkness, but Roman led her with memory.
He took her out to the patio, the night air warmer than the previous nights, summer coming into full swing. They walked to the edge against the stone railing, looking out over the lake and the silhouette of the mountains. Only the faint sound of crickets carried in the stillness of the night.
Rose inhaled a deep, fresh breath, stretching her stiff muscles from lying in bed for nearly twenty-four hours. She lifted her hand to the back of her neck, massaging it while rolling out the muscles. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Roman staring.
She lowered her hand as she met his gaze.
His eyes were filled with a force she’d never seen in them—it was as if he’d seen something he’d waited his whole life for. “Can you call for Onyx?”
She gave him a questioning look but did as he requested.
Onyx?she called out in her mind.
After a moment of silence, she heard him.
I’m coming,was all his sleepy voice said, faint from the distance.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“Somewhere I think you’ll like,” Roman alluded mysteriously. “It’s quite a journey from here, but with Onyx, it won’t take too long.”
A few moments later, Onyx came trotting through the night toward them, blending with the darkness so well she could hear him before she could see him.
Roman helped her onto the sleipnir, swinging himself up behind her and reaching around her to lead him.
