She swallows, the smile slipping from her lips. I can't bring myself to regret intervening when Dean threw his charms at her. But it was foolish nonetheless. I have an investigation to mount, a murderer to capture, and a kingdom to save from the brink of war. I do not have time for this.
"Show me your favorite part," she says.
Despite myself, I smile and guide her to the center of the hall, under the wooden archway. Once we pass, she looks up. "It's a tree," she says, placing a hand on the bark.
I lead her to the side, up a staircase that winds around the trunk and past branches. Different paths sprout out from our own, leading to different rooms and levels. "This tree grows through the center of the castle," I say, pointing to the leaves glowing with yellow light. "This is my favorite part."
She stands still, her mouth agape.
"I know it's not what people expect when they hear Prince of War, but—"
"It's amazing," she says.
I smile, glad she is pleased with what will be her home for a month. Maybe even longer...
No. I will not think of that.
My lips twitch and she smiles. Guilelessly. Beautifully. Like we share a secret no one else knows.
But I'm the only one with secrets.
And she can never know them.
I turn away. "You would think, from the outside looking in, that the interior would be dark and gloomy, but I had windows carved into brick throughout. Some clear, some stained glass, and it gives color and light to the nooks and crevices."
She looks around thoughtfully, a small frown on her face. I broke the moment between us, but it is the way things must be.
She follows me with light steps up a path to the second level. I can smell her, and it's a scent I find hard to resist. Sweet and spicy, just like her.
We stop in front of a wooden door carved with eagles. "This is your room. I had your staff prepare it for you, so it should have everything you need. But if not, the women who serve you occupy rooms downstairs, and you can summon them with a bell by your bed. They can get you anything you require to make your stay more comfortable."
"Where do you sleep?" she asks. Her eyes seem to dig into my soul, prying it open.
"I'm in the room down the hall." I point to another door, this one decorated with a wolf. "If you need anything."
"Okay. Thanks. I guess I'll see you in the morning." Her hand rests on the doorknob, and she looks at me questioningly.
"Did you need something else, Arianna?"
"Just Ari. And, actually yes. I have two favors to ask."
"And they would be?"
Her eyes dart from mine to her hands as she fidgets with the blue sandstone ring she always wears. "I'd like a sword."
It was not what I was expecting. "Do you know how to use one?"
She shakes her head. "No, and that's my second favor. I want you to teach me."
***
The fire in my room is already lit when I enter, and I stand in front of my bed. I'm not sure I'm ready to sleep, though it is late and I haven't slept in three days. It is a myth that my kind do not need sleep. We just need less of it and for different reasons.
Arianna wouldn't let me leave until I promised to do as she asked. I don't have time to play teacher to a novice, though I must admit her desire to learn is encouraging. And perhaps it will help keep her safe.
Baron trudges into the room after me. "She finally tell you to go?" I ask.
The wolf lies down in front of the fireplace, with something akin to a smile on his face. Ari had tried nudging him in my direction with no success a few minutes ago. She acted contrite about it, but I saw the smirk.
"You know," I say, "I'd feel a lot better about the whole thing if you'd just snarl at her like you do at everyone else.
He sighs. Then snores.
I strip off my clothes and head to the bathroom. Since we cannot use modern technology, we have had to find creative ways of making magic work for us. My washroom includes a bathtub that fills up with fresh water and heats itself using magic. The toilet is simple, an ancient design that drains waste into a sewage system. The sink uses water from the mountains. The shower is the best thing my brother, Ace, has ever invented. Next to a large window that overlooks the mountains a small waterfall sprouts from the wall. Magic heats the pipes built into the castle. I step onto the stone and let the water wash over me, pounding into my tired muscles until I feel clean and more relaxed. When I exit the washroom, Ari is there, sitting at the small table by the fireplace. She stands, her eyes wide when she sees me standing there naked, holding my towel. "Oh, crap, I'm so sorry. I was just... I thought I would wait... I didn't..."
She can't seem to finish her sentences, but she's not averting her eyes either. I don't bother covering myself. We are not modest creatures by nature, and I certainly have nothing to hide.
I'm not sure what I'm expecting from her. A demure shifting of her eyes? A blush? I get neither. Instead she takes her time looking at me, and then she smiles. "It seems only fair, since you saw me naked while I was unconscious."
"If we're being fair, I also had to touch you." I want to see how far she'll take this. But I realize I'm not prepared for her to walk over to me and lay her small hands on my chest. Her body is so close, but not quite touching mine. My muscles flex as I resist the urge to grab her and pull her closer, to bury my teeth in her neck and feel her life pulse into me. There are so many things I would love to do to this innocent creature standing before me, but instead I suck in my breath and wait to see what she does next.