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But her reaction was just as swift. She snatched his hand back to her, the delicate feel of her skin against his. “Isaiah, stop.”
Pivoting around to face her, he sighed, hating the fact that he was at war with himself, and she was caught in the crossfire. She didn’t release him, and he didn’t make any move to remove himself from her grip.
“Don’t toy with me, Isaiah. It isn’t good for your health.”
“Maybe not,” he retorted, her eyes glinting in the dim light, “but you’re no saint either.”
“I never claimed to be, Raeth.”
Gritting his teeth, he slowly exhaled, trying to fight against the feelings oscillating wildly within him. Studying her now, he could see the exhaustion in the lines of her face, a weariness that was bone deep. The edge of his anger softened, resignation cooling the heat in his blood.
“You need rest.”
Tension ebbed out of her shoulders as his hand tightened on hers. Leading her back toward his home, the sliding doors opened, and the lights kicked on with a single telekinetic command. The coolness of the air within wafted out to welcome them in the stark space.
Outfitted entirely in white, black, and shades of grey, Isaiah’s home would never be misconstrued for feminine or flowery. Ivory leather couches sat atop a dark grey carpet that spanned the center of the room, the walls almost entirely devoid of artwork.
“You have something against color?” came Rukia’s taunt as he led her through the space and toward the open stairs that led to the third floor.
“I’m colorblind.”
The Elemental’s eyes went wide. “You are?” A soft laugh sounded in Isaiah’s chest, and Rukia immediately smacked his arm. “You’re a jerk.”
Smirking, Isaiah ascended the stairs with Rukia in tow, arriving on the third story landing. Glancing at her over his shoulder, he cocked an eyebrow.
“You want to sleep alone?”
Suddenly, her bravado dissolved, her face going slack. Her gaze went to the floor as she gave him a single shake of her head.
Path set, Isaiah tugged her into his room. The heavy drapes closed of their own accord, blocking out the view of the desert mountainscape beyond. Now, alone in the intimacy of his quarters with Rukia, he clamped down on the latent heat that pooled suggestively in his blood.
“I don’t have anything to sleep in,” came the sweet murmur of her voice, barely audible.
Isaiah couldn’t help but cast his eyes over her willowy frame. The flowing blue top she wore hung just over the top of her shapely, jean-clad legs. At five foot seven, Rukia’s crown peaked just under his shoulders, her dark brown eyes peering into his with keen intelligence.
Instead of responding, Isaiah twisted and grabbed a soft white t-shirt from his dresser. He held it out to her, expressionless.
“I’m not changing in front of you, Raeth, so get lost for a few minutes.”
Bowing his head to her in complete mockery, he vacated his own room and heard her slam the door behind him. Isaiah strode into the adjacent bathroom and showered under a stream of ice-cold water, trying desperately not to listen to the movements of the Elemental who was undressing in the other room.
Derikles.
The man’s psychic voice responded instantly.Sovereign.Are you back?
I am. We’ll meet in the morning.
Of course, came his acknowledging reply.What of the Elementals?
It will take time for them to adjust.
I can imagine.Derikles’ voice held a hint of history, the past made new.
Double the perimeter runs tonight and tomorrow. The Citizens were too close to our territory yesterday to allow for anything less.He paused, then added,Rukia is with me.
Is she?The intrigue in his second’s voice was unmistakable.How exactly did that happen?
Abduction is rarely hard, Derikles,came his intentionally bland reply, fully aware he was avoiding the question.Don’t mistake her for an assassin when you wander into my house tomorrow.
