Page 74 of A Whisper of Cinders

The burning sensation turns even hotter and a large, tanned hand lands next to mine, fingers moving fluently across the keys, complementing the tune I’m creating. The scent of bergamot and smoke that are so very Conláed fills my nose and it takes everything in me not to inhale too deeply. It’s intoxicating in the best way, heat spreading much lower this time.

“There wasn’t an opportunity to play after that.”

His other hand lands on the left side of the piano where the lower notes lay and his fingers dance across the keys. Is there something this man can’t do?

But it also means I am caught in between his arms and the air gets stuck in my throat. His scent and being this close to him does funny things to my heart and…other parts as well.

Instinct takes over and I add my other hand to the play, which creates a light symphony perfectly emphasizing each other. We stop at the exact same time, his hands fall away and he lets out a low whistle. He sits down next to me and I turn towards him, but his eyes aren’t on my face, they are on my hands. Oh.

“I can’t wait to see the other guy.”

I follow his gaze, seeing how my hands are even more swollen and bloodier than before, colouring a blueish purple shade.

“That’s not…I didn’t…there wasn’t…” Ah shoot, being this close to him without him calling me names is not good for my sanity. Not good at all. I can’t even form basic sentences anymore. Fucking hormones. “No one else got hurt. I was hitting a punching back. That is all.”

No scuff, no laughing. To my surprise, he seems a little concerned. He gently picks up my right hand, as if I’m made of porcelain. He lifts it a little higher and moves his face closer, examining it with care.

I don’t shrink back from his touch, don’t despise it either. It feels so natural, and although my palm is really burning up, I don’t mind at all. I need his touch, like the music was my balm, he is too.

“Unless you want to give up playing the piano forever, you should go to Althea.”

“I was planning to, I just got a little…sidetracked.”

He smiles and two dimples appear. I have never seen him smile before, not like this. Maybe he should stop, my heart can’t handle it. “I can see that.”

I can’t interpret the look in his eyes, but his gaze burns right through me, his hazel eyes look like molten gold.

I move to stand up, but he beats me to it and helps me, gently pulling me upward. Only when I’m standing and he sees I’m firm on my legs, he lets go of my hand.

“I’ll see you later?”

He raises a brow, a little bit of arrogance slipping back into place. “Who said you were going alone?”

I squeeze my eyes. “Uh, I did just now? I know the way.”

He grins, of course he does. “I’m sure you do, feather, but I will accompany you either way. I wouldn’t want you to run into another punchbag and beat the shit out of it.”

It is so very tempting to comment on it. But deciding it is wiser to be the better person, I keep my mouth shut and I start walking.

“Nothing to say?”

I lift my chin a little higher. “Nope.”

A grin tugs at the corners of his mouth and although I would never admit it, especially not to him, I am relieved to not be alone. But as we walk to the Sanctum, Conláed's interrogation begins and I might reconsider my relief from this moment on.

“Have you eaten yet?”

“No, and I’m not hungry either.” I lost my appetite the moment my heart got ripped out of my chest. Again.

“Meow. You’re very feisty today.”

I give him a look that tells him he is so not helping. And when I don’t comment back, the confident grin falters. “Do you want to talk about it?”

I sigh. Yes? “No.”

Maybe it's not a good idea to do that right now. Would he know about Aramis and Ami? Aramis said they are best friends, and I do believe that’s a detail you would tell to someone you consider a best friend. But it wasn’t his responsibility to tell me. Conláed doesn’t really have anything to do with it.

“Hey.” I look up, his piercing gaze absorbing all the light around us, in the same way Aramis’ eyes do. “You will be okay, feather. Whatever it is, you’ll get through it.”