CHAPTER 55

Faye sat with Rune,silently taking comfort in his embrace. She closed her eyes, listening to the sound of water flowing behind her. His fingers slid gently over her back as she rested against him.

He reached to shut the faucet off, and said, "A moment while I get your bath ready."

Faye sat up as he stood, going to his white marble counter. A dark wooden box appeared. Rune opened it and gathered a few thin vials of clear liquid and two pouches made of sheer white material.

Faye sat on the edge of the tub, absently gliding her fingers over the water's surface, letting the steam warm her. Rune poured the vials into her bath, and Faye leaned closer. Earthy smells reminded her of her walks in the forest bordering her home after a storm. The two oversized perforated pouches were added last, floating half submerged in the steaming water.

"Would you like me to stay and wash your hair?" He asked quietly, stroking her hair tentatively before caressing the back of her neck.

Did she? Faye stared at her bath water as a bag floated towards her. She made pouches like these along with other ointments for her village. Healing the sick and injured took longer without magic, but Faye did what she could to help.

She reached for it, curious which herbs would be in them. Faye squeezed it, disturbing its contents, and paused. She didn't recognize any of them. Her questions stilled as the water began to cloud until it turned milky white.

Faye glanced up at Rune. "Is it supposed to do that?"

"I thought you would prefer privacy," he said.

"You've already seen everything."

"It does not mean I am entitled to continue doing so."

Faye stood and said, "I would like it if you washed my hair."

Rune leaned in the doorway and turned his head to face into his room. He didn't look like the Shadow Prince, standing before her barefoot, wearing a robe over his slacks. He was Rune, the man beneath his title and power.

She turned her back to him, and his dark sheet slipped down her body and gathered around her feet. Faye stepped into his bath, lowering herself. The hot water soaked into her. Easing her muscle aches and leaving a tingling sensation on her skin, her head rested on the lip of the tub.

"You can turn around now," Faye said, not sure what to make of the man she woke next to. Was his kindness charity because he hadn't been able to hold her over the Darkness? When he deemed them even, would they return to what they were before?

Their strange truce left them both tense and frustrated.

Something clicked behind her, and Faye glanced up. He sat at the head of the tub and stretched his arm out, neatly rolling the sleeve of the robe. Muscles and tendons shifted along his forearm as he worked his sleeves into a cuff near his elbows.

His fingers threaded through the back of her thick black hair, reminding her of the way he'd kissed her and pulled the sash of her robe open last night. Faye closed her eyes as he guided her down, lowering her into the bath. He caressed the nape of her neck and Faye's lips parted.

Rune wet her hair, his thumb brushing over her temple to trace her hairline before smoothing behind her ear. She leaned back when he guided her up, and said, "Thank you for this."

"I will endeavor to be kinder with you," he said as a sweet floral scent washed over her. Faye sighed as his hands glided through her hair. Rune brushed his thumbs over her temples and added, "I recall promising to be better behaved in person."

Faye kept her expression relaxed. He'd never spoken of the dreams they shared. The way she leaned on him, reading her books. Safe and warm in his arms. Her mind wandered to their last dream, where he kissed her. Touched her like something he treasured.

And she'd sunk her claws into his neck.

"I'm sorry I dug my claws in your neck," Faye said, glancing up at him.

He chuckled above her, flashing her a glimpse of fang. "Your temperament is suited for my kind."

Faye mulled over his words. Was he flirting with her? Faye had trouble holding her thoughts. Darkness, his fingers were bliss on her scalp. Rune lowered her into the water again, rinsing her hair.

She stared up at him, lazy and content. Whatever he put in this bath was better than the hot spring. Nothing hurt, and her skin hummed with pleasure. Rune met her gaze and she asked, "What are we doing?"

He canted his head and lowered his brow for a moment then answered, "Whatever you wish," and lifted her head up.

"Is this because we fell? You're working off some guilt?"

"No," he said quietly. Veined shadows crept from the corners of his eyes. "I wish to pursue you romantically."

Faye froze, her mind blanking. She hadn't dared to think he would want anything deeper with her. She was sure he would leave her bed when morning came but woke up instead. She grasped for a subject to fill the silence she let grow between them and eyed the swaying misted shadows beneath his eyes. "Is Voshki awake?"

He was silent for a beat, then said, "There are few moments when it is not." Faye brightened, and Rune thinned his lips. "It would seem I am ill-suited to compete with the creature."

Faye looked away, feeling guilty for wanting the Ra'Voshnik inside him. Taking the parts she wanted and discarding the rest. The very reason she despised dark-bloods who would do the same to her.

"I treated you ill and have much to mend between us," Rune said, caressing the side of her neck. "I shall if you would allow me to."

Hope and hesitation filled her in the same instance. Faye hadn't allowed men to engage her. Choosing to abstain rather than hurt, Voshki wouldn't hurt her. Faye was sure he loved her. This kind and considerate side of Rune made him nearly irresistible, but could she trust him? "How does this work with… both of you?"

Rune's jaw tensed. "I am untried in these situations. In private, I could allow your Voshki to rise. I will warn you. The creature speaks too often and is quite opinionated."

Faye giggled. "I would like that."

He gave her a curious glance and said, "If this suits you, are you willing to accept my advances?"

"If I do, will we be equals?"

Rune laughed softly. "No. You are a woman."

Seething rage filled her, and Faye sat up, glaring at him over her shoulder. She was going to show him how suited her temperament really was.

Rune held his hands up in a peaceful gesture. "You misunderstand my words. We are not equals because I am an extension of your will. You are the queen I will serve before all others."

Faye's fury cooled, and she settled against the tub below him once more. She glared up at him, her anger lingered. Simmering. If Rune sensed it he paid it no heed and leaned over her, bringing his lips a moment from hers. "I am yours to command," he rasped.

Faye wanted to kiss him. Wanted to let him take her back to his bed. But more than desire, she wanted acceptance. Love.

What he offered was obedience.

"You don't even know me," she whispered in his lips.

"I know you," he crooned. "You are the minx that upended my orderly life. You are fierce and loyal. Cunning. I was a fool to ignore what the Ra'Voshnik recognized in you from the start. Accept me, and I will spend the rest of my days making it up to you."

If they could meet each other halfway, make room for the other. It might be enough.

With that hope Faye leaned up and touched her lips to his in a soft kiss.