Page 31 of A Tale of Mirth & Magic

Good try. I’ll just eat both desserts. And drink the mead. That’d serve Saho right. And Barra, for turning me down. Again. I couldn’t face him right now. I just wanted to have my cake in bed and then pass out in this pile of pillows.

I took a bite of one slice. Sweet lemon burst onto my tongue, the light sponge almost melting in my mouth. It was quite possibly the most delicious cake I’d ever tasted.

“Fuck you, Saho,” I grumbled to myself. I don’t think my conscience would leave me alone if I deprived Barra of trying this too. And, to be fair, I got to ride Pebble most of the day while he walked. Maybe he deserved it. I pictured him enjoying the cake—maybe still covered in bath bubbles—and made up my mind.

I took one more bite and then sighed, covering the dessert up with the cloth again. I tiptoed out my door, crossed the dim hallway, and placed the basket in front of Barra’s room. Chewing my lip, I hesitated. He wouldn’t know it was out here for him unless I knocked.

Steeling myself, I rapped two quick knocks on the wood and bolted back to my open door. Just as I reached it, I heard a low voice.

“Elikki?”

I paused, then swiveled, plastering a smile on my face. Barra stood leaning in the doorway. He’d changed into a pair of loose drawstring pants and a knit sweater. His hair was wet, combed and hanging around his face. Damn, he looked good.

“Did you need something?” Spotting the basket, he reached down. “What’s this?”

“Saho sent up some dessert,” I said.

“This one has a bite missing,” he said, frowning.

“Two bites,” I said, inching backward. “Well, good night! Again!” I moved to close the door.

“Do you want to join me?”

I hesitated. “Do you want me to?” I asked, confused.

Barra slowly padded toward me across the hall. The closer he got, the faster my pulse raced.

“Yes,” he said.

“But… I thought that you—” My mouth snapped shut as he leaned in, reaching one arm behind me. He grabbed the doorknob and tugged it closed, trapping me outside.

Barra’s arms bracketed me against the door. I could smell his minty, woodsmoke scent, and I had to stop myself from tucking into him and inhaling. It was too dark in the hallway to see his face properly. But I could sense him. Tensed. Breathing too rapidly, like me. He was going to kiss me. Please let him kiss me.

And then suddenly he was gone, striding back across the hall. He scooped up the basket. Not looking back, he entered his well-lit room and disappeared to the right.

I followed him without thinking. It wasn’t until I was inside and had closed the door behind us that I realized I was still in my robe. Feet bare, and my hair a wet, tangled mess since I hadn’t combed it out yet after my bath.

Looking around, I took in Barra’s bed, his tidy belongings, and the burning fireplace he stood next to. His room was easily twice the size of mine. With dark, polished wood furniture and sage green walls, the decor almost made me feel like we were back in the woods. There was a large window, closed tightly against the cold night, and I could see the moon shining through. It was nearly full.

With my back to him, I held in a smile and loosened the neck of my robe a bit so that my cleavage would show.

What an interesting turn of events.

12

BARRA

What was I thinking? This was exactly the kind of situation I hadn’t wanted to find myself in tonight.

For the past hour, all I could think about was Elikki. She was just across the hall. Maybe still in her bath, dripping wet. Or already stretched out on her bed, yawning and sleepy. It was driving me mad. I’d felt myself nearing the edge of my self-control, and all I wanted to do was rush across the hall and be near her.

So I threw on some clothes and decided to go downstairs for a distraction. Saho at least would be awake; I knew from past trips that they were a complete night owl. Even if they’d talk my ear off and probably pry about “my lady,” at least I’d put distance between myself and her until I could be sure she was asleep.

As I was about to leave, two knocks sounded on my door. Swinging it open, I found Elikki hurrying to her room and the basket she’d left behind. When she turned, uncertain but still her confident self, my resolve started to crumble. And when I saw she was wrapped in only a robe, damp skin flushed, I think I blacked out for a minute.

Now she was here. In my room. Wandering around. Looking extremely sexy.

I coughed nervously, clearing my throat. Arranging the plate of lemon cake on a small table in front of the fire, I laid forks next to it and set the mead bottle and glasses out. Elikki joined me. We settled into the two armchairs that were tucked close to the table.