Page 66 of Ash Storm

Both.

“You play chess?” he asked, struggling to keep the surprise out of his voice.

Why wouldn’t she play chess?

You don’t know anything about her.

A greedy part of him wanted to learn it all. Everything she liked and disliked. All her fucking hopes and dreams. He wanted to know it all.

She nodded. “Some. I’m not very good.”

His palms itched with the urge to sit down and play with her. But now wasn’t the time.

“You can shower in the bathroom,” he said, pointing her to the double-sided bookshelf, which separated the living area from the bed and the bathroom beyond. “There are clean towels in the bathroom cupboard.”

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“In the meantime, I’ll make you some tea.”

“I … I don’t want tea …” Her beautiful eyes welled up with tears. For a second, she looked like she was going to throw up on the wooden floor. He wished he could take that pain onto himself.

“I swear to you, Reka. You’re safe here.”

He felt her slight body relax as she acknowledged his words, and he was glad she believed him capable of protecting her. His hands curled into fists. He would kill anyone who threatened her.

“Thank you, Ash.”

He hesitated for a moment, tempted to ask her not to lock the door, in case she needed help. But he didn’t want to scare her, and it was also quite unnecessary. If she called out to him, no door in the world would keep him from getting inside.