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“He should. Advanth was pure of heart before the isles pissed her off, but Cirel has quite the violent reputation.”
Tenah frowned, struggling to tamp down on the white-hot magic brewing in her channels.
“He won’t touch you,” Renton assured her, his features softening. “I’ll make certain of that.”
“I can handle myself.” Her eyes drifted down the length of him. Seeing him injured cut her worse than it should. “Same for you though. No one gets to hurt you again.”
His eyes swirled dangerously green.
“Come here.” His hands loosely cuffed her wrists and pulled her between his spread legs. Steam glistened on his skin, plastering his shirt to his solid chest. He pressed a delicate kiss to her palm.
Raw, hot desire rushed through her body, settling low in her stomach.
He’s injured. He almost died.
Reining herself back in, she asked, “Do you think my father will try to retrieve the tome now that it’s been returned to Denoden?”
Renton’s forehead creased. “I’m not sure.”
She licked her lips, avoiding his intense stare. “It’s just…Izral mentioned at the party that he’d spoken to my father. And my father definitely paid a visit to the archives. No one seems to realize or care that he was insane with Chaos.” She shook her head. “I feel like we’re dealing with too many enemies. Why can’t we just set them all on each other and be done?”
Renton’s eyes trailed his fingers as he slowly ran them up and down the inside of her arms, awakening wildfire and cold shivers at the same time. “I think you’ve figured out the High Court’s plan. Step back and let the enemies tear each other apart.”
“They’re supposed to be peacekeepers.”
“Their version of peace allows for a bit of turmoil.” He tipped his head to the side. “At least, that’s what Nithril used to tell me to shut me up when I drifted down the same line of questioning.”
Tenah took him in, curious about his past under the guardianship of an elder. She brushed a thumb over a raised scar along his hard bicep. “You don’t agree with them?”
“I don’t understand this world, or any of the worlds, like they do. The elders have almost two centuries’ worth of wisdom. Beyond that, they can tap into the memories of their ancestors through the roots of their forest.” He continued tracing soothing patterns on her skin, allowing her space for a storm of troubling thoughts.
Even if she stopped her father, the King of Adra still wanted war. If Izral decided he wasn’t keen on fighting back, who else would?
The rhythmic patter of the water grounded her back on her task. She soaked a sponge in the hot stream of water and turned to him.
“Forgetting something?” A devilish smile curled on his mouth.
Hot blood flooded her cheeks. He was still fully dressed. His hand clutched his side as he shook with restrained laughter.
Feigning confidence, Tenah motioned to all of him. “It has to come off.”
He raised a brow. “Trying to take advantage of me?”
“That’s just what you want, isn’t it?”
Renton gave a full laugh and then groaned at the pain.
“You deserved that,” she scolded. “Considering you almost died, I do expect you to sleep here under my watch. You’ll need someone to remind you to take that tonic. And you need breakfast in the morning.”
Elementals, what fiery goddess had possessed her?
Renton drew her up by her elbows. The heat in his eyes turned her core molten. No one had ever looked at her like that before. He’d seen her at her worst. Consumed by unfettered rage. Doubled over in a fit of drunken illness. Marred by Chaos after a magical detonation.
He hadn’t faltered once.
“Let me get you cleaned up,” she whispered. “I owe you that much.”
“Stubborn westerners and their honor.”
