Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Kaelan slipped his vest off then his shirt, revealing broad shoulders glistening faintly beneath the silver glow reflecting off the water. His upper torso was riddled with impressive muscles, more so in this soft light than when she first saw him bare-chested. Or maybe she hadn’t taken enough notice then.
When he continued to shed his garments, Bria instantly turned her back to him.
“You were with Winnie,” he said. “You are alone here.”
Bria frowned toward the cave wall rather than risk looking back at him. “While curious at our arrival, no one seemed to pose a threat to us or danger.”
“Danger rarely announces itself politely beforehand.”
Despite herself, the answer nearly made her smile.
Nearly. Instead, she attempted to cling stubbornly to her irritation, though it became increasingly difficult while listening to the quiet sounds of him removing the rest of his clothing behind her.
“You still should not be here,” she insisted.
“And yet here I remain.”
The low amusement beneath his words sent warmth curling unexpectedly through her again.
Why?
Why in this situation, with every sensible thought warning her this should feel improper and uncomfortable… did she still feel safe with him?
That truth unsettled her more deeply than the sight of him disrobing ever could.
Kaelan paused briefly at the water’s edge, his gaze lingering upon her turned back and the pale curve of her shoulder barely visible through drifting steam.
This had not been a wise decision. He knew that.
Every instinct within him already strained dangerously enough where Bria was concerned without trapping himself beside her in a secluded cave while she sat half-hidden in glowing water looking far too tempting for his own peace of mind.
Yet allowing her to remain here alone had ceased being an option the moment unease settled beneath his skin after she left. Something about Driochmor felt restless today. And Bria remained far too trusting of shadows.
So, he had followed. Necessary or not, wisdom had little place left where she was concerned.
Kaelan stepped into the water at last. Warmth closed instantly around him as he moved deeper into the glowing pool, the soft ripples spreading gently toward her.
Bria remained stubbornly turned away.
A faint smile touched his mouth. “You may look now.”
Her breath caught softly at the sound of his voice so near behind her.
Bria turned slowly at last, though she remained safely within the deeper shadows of the glowing pool where drifting steam concealed some of her from view.
Not that it eased her awareness of him.
Kaelan stood several feet away, the silver light beneath the water gliding across the hard lines of his chest and shoulders, while dark damp hair rested against his neck. Steam curled lazily around him, softening little of the strength in his broad frame.
Bria immediately lowered her gaze before he could notice how deeply the sight unsettled her.
“We should speak of what comes next,” she said quickly, clinging tightly to the safer subject.
Kaelan watched her quietly a moment before nodding once. “Aye.”
Relief loosened faintly within her, directing the discussion to something practical, sensible. Anything but the dangerous awareness growing between them every time they found themselves alone.
Bria drew her knees slightly closer beneath the water. “We should seek out this council Kilham spoke of. If anyone can help us find our way home, surely it would be them.”
Kaelan’s expression gave little away, though his gaze drifted briefly toward the cave entrance before returning to her.
“That can wait.”
Bria frowned softly. “Wait?”
“I still need to track the beast.”
The reminder instantly tightened the fragile calm she had begun finding in the warmth of the cave.
“Kaelan…” She hesitated carefully. “You speak of finding him as though it matters more than leaving Driochmor itself.”
“It does.”
The blunt honesty of the answer startled her.
Bria studied him carefully through the drifting steam. “Why?”
Kaelan remained silent too long.
Long enough to tell her he would not truly answer, again.
Frustration stirred softly within her. “You ask trust from me while revealing almost nothing of yourself.”
His gaze held hers steadily now. “There are things I cannot yet explain.”
“That answer grows tiresome.”
A faint shadow of amusement touched his mouth despite the seriousness in his eyes. “I imagine it does.”
Bria wanted to remain irritated with him. Truly she did. Yet being there, surrounded by glowing water and soft drifting mist while his deep voice wrapped quietly around her made anger increasingly difficult to hold onto.
Silence settled between them once more. Not uncomfortable, if anything, the silence felt far too intimate.
Bria became painfully aware again that little separated them beneath the glowing water. The realization sent warmth rushing through her that had nothing to do with the heated spring surrounding her body.
And judging by the way Kaelan’s gaze lingered upon her face before slowly lowering and lifting once more…
He was not untouched by the moment either.
Kaelan forced his attention away from thoughts better left alone.
The steam concealed some of her, yet somehow that only worsened matters. Glimpses of pale skin through drifting mist tempted far more dangerously than full sight ever could.