Page 61 of All the Chaos of Constellations
His throat tightened. “My father.”
Novalise tensed, but she didn’t pry, and he was grateful for it.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” She moved next to him, peering over his shoulder.
“Unless you can locate and obtain a mystical gem…” He slid one hand between her legs, his fingers curling around her thigh, stroking her soft skin. “Then I doubt it.”
She picked up some of the papers and flipped through them. Then she leaned in closer, a tiny line furrowing across her brow. “I can do this.”
Asher sat up straight, staring at her. “What?”
“I can help you find this stone.” She shuffled the papers, her lips pursing in concentration. “I’ll have to do a reading, but I can’t imagine it would be difficult.”
“A star reading?” He didn’t think they were good for anything except the foretelling of fate. It never occurred to him star readings could be useful for other things as well.
“Yes, it’s fairly simple. Granted, it will have to take place within the observatory…” She cocked her hip to the side, leaning into him. “But once I call upon the stars, any question I ask will be answered. For example, where to find this gem.”
Well, damn.
If he had known it would have been that easy, he would’ve asked her months ago for her assistance.
“Who needs this…virdis lepatite, anyway?” Novalise handed the papers back to him. “It seems like it could be dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands.”
Asher already had a slightly gray conscience when it came to researching the gem. He shoved back from the desk and stood, stretching. “The one who seeks it hails from the Northernlands. He’ll be gone by the end of Midsummer and then will no longer be any concern of mine.”
“Oh?” The corner of her mouth lifted into a coy smile. “Is it a secret, then?”
“Perhaps.” The lie tasted bitter on his tongue.
Asher scooped Novalise into his arms. It was time for a change of subject and sleep. He couldn’t tell her thevirdis lepatitewas for Drake, that locating the stone was part of a bargain Asher struck with him two years ago. Just like he couldn’t tell her he was the one who hired the Shadowblade Assassin to kill his father.
CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE
The mouthwatering scent of bacon lured Novalise from sleep.
She stretched against the soft rug, her body pleasantly spent and comfortably warm. Reaching her arms over her head, she arched her back, delight humming in the back of her throat.
“If you keep making those cute little noises and extending yourself like that…” Asher lifted the hem of the shirt, pressing a kiss to her abdomen. “I’ll be forced to take you again.”
Her lashes fluttered and she peered up at him. “Forced?”
Morning sunlight spilled in through the windows of his study, dousing them in a haze of gold. He was seated on the rug next to her, propped up with one arm, his gaze lazily skimming up and down the length of her. His eyes were heavy, banked with the fire of desire, and he lightly trailed the curve of her breast with one finger. She wanted nothing more than to savor every inch of his gloriously naked chest, kissing a path all the way down below the waistband of his pants. If this was what it would be like to wake up next to him every day, she wanted to do it for the rest of her life.
As though sensing where her mind had wandered, he arched a brow in amusement. “Your breakfast will get cold.”
Novalise eased herself up, planting her lips at the base of his neck. “What if I’m not hungry?”
“Then your stomach betrays you.” The corner of his mouth lifted in a knowing smile.
“Fine,” she grumbled, tucking her legs under her. As much as she loathed to admit it, Asher was right.
She was positively famished, and before her was a spread of delicious food. Two trays were set on the ground filled with bowls of fresh berries and cream, along with plates of crispy bacon, fried eggs, and a pile of biscuits with jam. A carafe of juice was accompanied by two glasses of water, as well as a steaming pot of tea.
“I wasn’t sure what you preferred.” Asher shoved one hand through his hair, not quite meeting her eye. “So, I asked for an assortment.”
“Lucky for you, I’m not picky.” She grabbed some of everything and filled her plate. “And I also love to eat.”
“Even better.” He poured her a cup of tea, and the next few minutes passed in comfortable silence.
