Page 97 of Elysian

She smiled slightly. “Morak had approached Archer before about joining the cause. Archer had denied him until recently.” Her smile turned fond. “My husband is quite stubborn.”

I slowed. “You’ve wed?”

Redblood and blueblood marriages were not heard of, and I could not contain my shock.

“We were unable to register the record with the Kingdom, but we wed in a small ceremony.”

“Well, as soon as we end the council, it will not simply be symbolic.”

“You truly think we will succeed?” she breathed.

“Yes,” I said with full conviction. Conviction I did not have the proof to back, but that did not matter. Tabby looked over my shoulder and I followed her focus to Archer speaking to Waylan in a hushed tone.

“She needs to rest,” Cassiel announced. He rested his hand on my shoulder.

“Of course she does,” Tabby exclaimed. “So terribly sorry, Amara.”

I gave Cassiel a withering glare.

“Come, come, I will take you to your chamber.” Tabby turned her back and waited for us to follow near the entrance. Archer stopped his conversation with Waylan and neared.

Cassiel placed a hand on my lower back and urged me forward. The opening led through a dirt hall supported by stone bricks along the sides as well as brick columns dispersed throughout.

It was a well-cultivated underground village. The left opened to a yawning chamber with a rug spanning across most of the stone floor and three rounded tables surrounded by cushioned seats. We continued until we reached a split off. Tabby continued to the right. We crossed many wooden doors until they grew fewer into an empty, quiet stretch. When a door came into view, she slowed.

“I have placed you both in the only chamber with running water. Otherwise the plumbing is only in the communal bathing chamber.” She opened the door. I looked over my shoulder. Archer had followed along with one of those men with swords strapped to them.

Two candles sat upon the nightstand beside a large bed. A bronze snuffer beside it. The low glow of the candles was enough to see most of the chamber.

“I would have brought you more candles, but we are running low on supplies,” Tabby explained, a hint of shame in her tone.

“This is more than enough.” I squeezed her hands.

She nodded, still verging on sheepish. “I left items on the end of the bed for you. I will leave you both to rest.” She curtsied toward Cassiel who was already striding around the chamber, taking in every bit.

As soon as the door shut, I went to see what she left on the bed. A hairbrush, towel, a fresh dress, bloomers, and a chemise to sleep in. There was also folded linen and wool trousers for Cassiel.

The sound of a spout sputtering water echoed, bringing my attention to Cassiel where he stood beside a tub. A bath . . .

I reached to undo my dress. My fingers tangled. Cassiel began to undo it with half the amount of struggling I had, but with quick, harsh, unpracticed movements. Finally the dress loosened and slid lower on my arms. Cassiel pressed his lips to my bare shoulder. The gentle graze startled me.

I remained still, waiting for what he would do, chest tight.

“Beautiful.” His cold breath brushed against my shoulder, coaxing a shiver free. Cassiel grazed his lips up the column of my neck.

With his lips, he turned my thoughts into mush. Desire flared and slid through my veins. Lust was such a new thing for me. It was unbelievably addicting. All I could think of was how easily he brought me to climax.

“Is this another thing you learned from your manual?” I whispered, breaking through the heavy intensity.

The soft lighting, the gentle kisses, the caresses down my hip all served to rouse urges. I turned in his arms and placed my hands on his bare shoulders. Cassiel’s lips parted, attention on my breasts.

He scoffed, but his lack of response told me the truth. I couldn’t stifle my smile. Cassiel softened me with too much skill. “There is no need to behave so sweetly toward me.” He continued staring with mouth parted and heated eyes. “No need to confuse what this is.”

I slid my hands down to his trousers and unbuttoned them. With a small shove, they were off, and he was kicking them away. I caught his hand and guided him to the filling tub. Steam rose from the surface. The steps helped me, and I sank into the water. Cassiel climbed into the tub, and water splashed over the sides. He rested his arms on the ledge of the tub, watching me as if he would never turn away.

“And what is that?” he murmured, eyes lowered with smoldering heat. I straddled his waist.

“This is purely physical.” He stilled, eyebrows furrowing. “Purely fucking.”