Page 70 of Path of the Dark
“No,” he replied smoothly. “It was for mine.”
“What?”
“I wanted to see the fury on your face.”
Ryana inhaled deeply, her hands balling at her sides. “Well, you’ve had your fun. Get them to prepare me my own room. I’m not staying here with you.”
“Sorry, Ryana,” he said in a tone that didn’t contain an ounce of contrition. “It’s important we keep up the pretense … otherwise folk will wonder why you’re traveling with me.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “This is going too far. I’m not bathing … or sleeping … in the same room as you.”
He shrugged and started to unlace his shirt. The once bright crimson was stained with dirt and sweat. Tearing it off, he reached for the laces of his breeches. “Well, if you don’t mind I’m going to bathe … I stink like a goat.”
Ryana backed away from him. The sight of his broad chest and the smattering of dark hair that arrowed down to his belly made her pulse race. “Undress behind the screen,” she snapped. “I don’t want to see this.”
He cast her a slow smile that challenged that assertion, but did as bid, moving to the steaming tub and pulling the screen across so that he was concealed from view. Moments later she heard him sigh as he sank into the water.
Ryana stood by the doorway, tension rippling through her.
His behavior was deliberately goading.
Ever since their confrontation that first evening out from The Royal City, they’d communicated little. Ryana hadn’t minded. It certainly made traveling together easier. She didn’t want to hear his excuses, or more lies. However, it seemed as if Elias had been biding his time till they reached the leaguefort. He’d wanted to embarrass her. He’d enjoyed it.
“This ruse isn’t necessary,” she grumbled, moving over to a low stool and settling herself down on it. Her limbs ached, and her filthy tunic and leggings itched her skin. Ryana wrinkled her nose. She too badly needed to bathe. “You could have come up with a different excuse for my presence.”
Elias gave a soft laugh. “Aye … but this one suits me better.”
Ryana glowered at the screen. How had she ever let this man seduce her? He was obnoxious. And yet, as she heard splashes while he washed, images of his strong, naked body flashed into her mind. The way that body had slid against hers, the feel of his sculpted muscles under her questing fingertips, tortured her.
Swallowing hard, Ryana squeezed her eyes shut, banishing the heated thoughts.
It was lust, pure and simple—the reason why she’d fallen under his spell. It had tricked her into believing she had feelings for this man. Even now, when she knew him to be a liar, her body still responded to him.
Tears pricked the back of her eyelids, and Ryana drew in a long, shuddering breath. After Gael, she’d thought she was wiser when it came to men. But this mess had taught her the opposite was true. She’d let herself be drawn into Elias’s web once, but she wouldn’t be taken in again.
Ryana glanced around the room. It might as well have been a cell; she was trapped in here.
A short while later Elias emerged from behind the screen. He was naked save for the drying cloth wrapped around his loins.
“The water’s still hot,” he informed her. His gaze slid over her sweat and travel-stained clothing. “I suggest you take advantage of it.”
Ryana rose to her feet. “Give me some privacy, and I’ll bathe.”
“As you wish.” Elias moved to the sleeping pallet, picked up a pile of clothing, and disappeared behind the screen once more. When he re-emerged, he was dressed in black leather breeches, a black silk shirt, and a black leather vest. The clothing made him look rakishly attractive. “I’ll be back shortly,” he promised before leaving her alone.
As soon as the door thudded shut behind him, Ryana breathed a soft curse. Shadows, how she loathed him. She bitterly regretted her decision to accompany him to Veldoras. She should have abandoned Elias on the other side of the border and returned to The Royal City.
Ryana huffed another curse. The promise of Gael had been too tempting.
Guilt gnawed at her then. It was her fault Gael had lived to cause more trouble. She had no idea how he’d managed to discover a way to safely wield Stynix, but if something wasn’t done, he’d throw The Four Kingdoms into chaos.
She should have ensured Gael was dead that day before the Ice Door. Instead, she’d been focused on ensuring that Lilia destroyedThe King Breaker.
This was her mess, and she’d put it right.
Hands trembling, Ryana unbuckled her belt, pulled off her tunic, and removed her leggings. Then, she walked over to the tub, lowering herself in. The water indeed was still hot. Elias hadn’t spent long in there.
Grabbing a block of lye soap, Ryana started to scrub at her skin.
She wouldn’t think about Elias now—not when she was naked in the same bath water that had caressed his nakedness. She’d focus on getting clean. After that, she’d turn her attention to dealing with Gael.
Until then, she’d have to keep a close eye on Elias.
