Page 33 of Drawn into Oblivion

Rosuke

She wasted no time. As her stomach growled in anticipation, she placed the letter into the vanity’s only drawer alongside the gift note and drew out one of the pink ribbons that had been tied around the dress box. Then she pulled her hair back and loosely braided it to hang over her left shoulder. The pink bow at the end was obvious against her dark dress and even darker hair, and she hoped he noticed it.

After double-checking her appearance in the mirror, she cautiously ducked out of her room. Her dress felt even more divine against her skin as she hastened the short distance to the end of the hall. Each movement pulled the silk over her body, teasing her mercilessly as she passed by the bedrooms of other house elders and quietly descended the staircase to the first floor. She had to evade people three times to reach the Red Room without being seen and intercepted, and she was more than a little nervous as she slid the door open.

While the spacious Green Room was perfect for taking meals with not only the house elders but also high-ranking military officers with room to spare, the smaller Red Room was meant for private meetings between small groups. As the name suggested, it was outfitted almost entirely with red furnishings, mahogany tables and chairs, brass lanterns, and wood interior paneling made of cherry.

The scent of hot, sumptuous food wafted out, making her mouth water. She slipped into the room with as much restraint as possible, and her jaw dropped at the grand spread laid out for her.

Two low tables sat on dark, straw-mat flooring. A variety of food filled the long table against the far wall, and the smaller table in the center of the room held two place settings. Floor chairs padded with red cushions awaited occupants. The rest of the tables and chairs were missing, probably stacked inside a nearby closet. An iron brazier sat in the corner of the room twenty feet away, and a few pieces of coal glowed inside, giving off heat to chase away the evening chill while four lanterns hanging from the ceiling bathed the room in soft, romantic light.

Rosuke stood next to the brazier where he’d been warming his hands, and he turned as Mai stepped into the room. Thankfully, the generous spread of dishes drew her attention first, for he couldn’t help whatever predatory look he gave her upon seeing her in the dress he’d gifted her. She had even used the ribbon he’d clumsily tied around the box, and a primal part of him was delighted. The purple set off the rosy undertones in her sandy complexion and made her look even softer, especially in the candlelight. She looked like a better dinner than the one the kitchen had prepared.

“Divine One have mercy,” she said with awe. “It smells wonderful.”

She peeked beneath the ceramic lids keeping the hot food warm. Several trays and bowls were piled high with food—enough to feed ten people even though he had asked the kitchen staff for a private meal for two. He had made sure she’d find several of her favorites, including ones the kitchen rarely prepared.

“The food was made especially for you,” he said, having read the surprise on her face as she revealed a vegetable dish. He slowly walked toward her, itching to stroke her curves and feel the silk she wore pull across her skin.

Then her stomach gurgled loudly. He blinked in surprise, and she slapped her hands over her abdomen as if she could muffle the sound. He laughed despite her chagrined expression, grateful her hunger had cut through the tension. He picked up her tray of dishware from the smaller table and handed it to her.

“Choose whatever your heart and stomach desires,” he offered, gesturing toward the banquet.

Mai’s cheeks burned as she returned his smile and accepted the tray he held out. She walked to the food table, knelt, and began to add food to the smaller bowls meant for sides.

“The smell is going to kill me before I can start eating,” she joked. To her right, Rosuke smiled as he filled up his bowls as well. Some of the dishes were obviously prepared for him.

“You prefer spicy food,” she said, nodding toward the skewered chicken so heavily spiced it was red. “I’ve tried it, but I always end up coughing hard enough to cry.”

He tossed a charming smile her way. “Honey is actually my favorite flavor, but yes, I do love spicy things. It makes the meal more exciting.”

“We cannot possibly eat all of this,” she lamented, looking at the enormous amount of food. She had expected a single, prepared meal, not a buffet. She carried her tray to the smaller table and sank onto the thick, red cushion of her chair, legs tucked to the side. Her stomach softly rumbled as she picked up her chopsticks.

Rosuke sat across from her. “I promise it won’t go to waste. And thanks to you, a large harvest will come in on time. It’s all right to dote upon the person responsible,” he said with a wink.

Biting her lip, she shyly smiled and glanced down at her food, which earned another growl of hunger. Not waiting another second, she took a large bite of hot, citrus-spiced noodles and closed her eyes as she moaned with satisfaction.

“Good, is it?” he said.

“It’s delicious,” she said after she swallowed. Then she popped a piece of marinated squash between her lips and sighed with delight. “Oh, Divine One have mercy.”

“You say that often,” he said as he chewed.

“I suppose I do.”

“Perhaps he’s gotten tired of hearing it and will give you something to cry for mercy about,” he joked.

“That ‘something’ is already sitting across from me,” she said wryly as she lifted a cup of water. Rosuke shot her a surprised look, a smile breaking out across his face.

“Are you flirting?”

“I’ve used that phrase for so long,” she said, evading his question. “It’s difficult to break old habits.” He stilled, and his eyes lost focus as though some inner thought had stolen his attention. “Difficult, not impossible,” she hastily added, remembering his desire to change.

Rosuke wondered, though. He and Vallen, along with Rosuke’s younger brother, Yasuke, had been womanizers from the day they were old enough to seduce. Training and swordplay had merely been ways of impressing the court ladies. They hadn’t really cared much about anything else, not even the war with the Damned One. And their jaded ways had ended up killing Yasuke.

And yet, despite all the punishment he and Vallen had endured, Rosuke still lusted after Mai, his hunger for her stronger than anything he’d felt in centuries, possibly ever. Was he even capable of being a gentleman, of wanting something more from a woman than her body?

Looking at Mai, whose gaze was now fixed on her plate as she ate her fill, he steeled his resolve. He would not rush her. He would not use her like he had all the other women in his long life. He would help her overcome her fear and expect nothing in return.