Page 53 of Shielded Heart 1
After a few minutes, she returned to the controls, and a bit of fiddling revealed another secret compartment. Its contents—a small collection of soaps and shampoos—rose from the floor beside the pool. She opened one of the bottles, and a little thrill coursed through her; its contents smelled like Arcanthus. Returning to the shower, she used the soaps to wash herself, paying particular attention to her hair. Sam loved that the scent on her skin would serve as a constant reminder of Arc.
She remained beneath the shower long after she’d rinsed, enjoying the hot water cascading around her body. For the first time in a long while, she was relaxed, and it made her reluctant to leave. In the end, it was only the knowledge that Arcanthus was waiting for her that lured her out.
When she exited the pool, the ceiling and floor suddenlychanged; each lit up with gentle while light, and the air around Sam warmed. It only lasted for a few seconds, but she was surprised to discover that the moisture had evaporated from her skin and hair when it was done.
Samantha walked to the counter and picked up the clothing Arc had laid out for her. She swallowed thickly at the sight of it. “Oh...”
For years, she’d dressed in baggy, shapeless clothes that hid her body. The dress in her hands wasnothinglike that. It was refined, form-fitting,revealing.
Her throat constricted as she glanced back at the pile of soiled clothes on the floor. She was tempted to put them back on, but they’d only get her dirty again.
“I am strong.”
She returned her attention to the dress, closed her eyes, and released a long, slow breath.
“I can do this. It’s just a dress.”
Before she had a chance to change her mind, Sam slipped on the dainty, matching panties that had been bundled with the dress and stepped into the long garment. She slid the dress up her body and slipped her arms into the sleeves. Once it was in place, she glanced at herself in the mirror.
Samantha froze.
The dress was a deep red, making her skin look porcelain in comparison. The fabric was at once sheer and silky, flaunting the body beneath while concealing the details. The neckline—or lack thereof—plunged to her midriff, displaying a strip of flesh from her neck to just above her belly button. The slit running up the side of the long, flowing skirt ran nearly to her hip, baring her right leg to her upper thigh.
It was beautiful.
Shefeltbeautiful.
But she also felt exposed.
She’d never worn anything like this—not even close—and she was scared as hell.
Her dark hair hung around her shoulders and down her back in long, loose waves, and her lips were still reddened from Arcanthus’s kiss. A shiver coursed through her at the memory of his mouth coming down upon hers.
Picking up the shoes from the counter, Samantha slipped them onto her feet. Just like everything else, they fit perfectly.
Exactly how much did Arcanthus know about her?
Leaving the bathroom, Sam made her way to the door through which Arc had exited the bedroom. She hesitated as her hand was on its way to the control button. Would he be upset if she left the room and wandered around?
No; he hadn’t told her to stay put, and she wasn’t his prisoner. He would’ve said something if he didn’t want her leaving the room.
Besides, she was curious. She wanted to know what was on the other side of this door, wanted to explore the place Arcanthus called home.
She pressed the button, and the door slid open.
Samantha stepped into the hallway beyond only to come to an abrupt halt when someone—a ratherlargesomeone—positioned himself in front of her. She released a startled gasp and retreated a couple steps, lifting her gaze.
The male’s face was familiar, and that familiarity curbed her instinct to flee back into the bedroom.
He was the yellow-eyed cren who’d returned the package she dropped on her way home yesterday. The cren who’d purchased food from Sarai’s booth.
“I-I know you,” she said, brows falling low.
“I know you, too,” the cren replied. “Samantha, yeah?”
Samantha nodded.
“Name’s Kiloq. Boss told me to bring you to him when you got out.”
