EMBER
“Is everything all right?” Rafferty calls back to me.
“Fine. The water feels good.” Only, I choose that exact moment to submerge a little deeper without thinking of the fresh cut on my upper shoulder. I wince, the intake of air enough to alert the warrior behind me.
“What is it?” He’s directly behind me now, though not touching me. “Ember, what is it? Tell me, or I’m turning around.”
“Taranus—” I swallow hard. “Cut my back.”
“He did what?” Rafferty’s anger is potent, evident even with him only speaking three words.
“I don’t know. Truthfully, I haven’t seen it, and I hadn’t thought about it since the chemise sleeves covered it.”
“May I?”
He’s asking if he can turn around—if he can look. And given how clear this water is? He’ll see a good portion of my ass. However, curiosity for what Taranus left behind is greater than my need for modesty. At least, right now.
“Yes.”
Water sloshes behind me as his hulking form turns. Warm fingers brush my hair aside, putting it all over my right shoulder before tracing the tender skin. “I am going to carve something much worse into him when I next see him,” he snarls.
Tears burn my eyes. “What is it?”
“You needn’t worry about it.” His fingers touch my skin again, and the pain subsides, warming beneath his gentle pressure.
“What is it?”
“It’s gone now.”
“But what was it?”
He doesn’t say a word, doesn’t utter a single syllable. So, gathering up all the courage I can, I wrap an arm over my breasts and turn around. Pupils dilated, he stands in the water that reaches just above his abdomen, given our severe height difference.
It drips from his body, sliding over the muscled planes, and I’m helpless to not follow each droplet as it travels down.
I reach forward with my free hand and press it to his solid chest. His mouth falls open on a gasp, and he stares down at where my flesh is touching his.
“Ember.”
“You’re so warm,” I whisper, taking a step closer to him. He doesn’t breathe, his chest unmoving as I release my breasts and reach up to run another hand over his chest.
“You’re so fucking perfect,” he growls.
“Then show me.”
His fingers go to my jaw, and he tilts my face up. “If only I could.”
“Why can’t you?”
Leaning down, he presses his lips to my jaw, just below my ear, and whispers, “Because none of this is real.”
* * *
I awakento the echoing sound of machines. A familiar ambiance, unfortunately. Tears burn in my eyes, and I sniffle, my thoughts still on Rafferty and all I’d wished had been possible while we’d been together.
A tear slips down my cheek, and I stifle a sob. I’ll never see him again. Never witness a rare smile or feel the heat unfurl in my belly as he looked at me.Get ahold of yourself.Taking a deep breath, I do what I can to force my mind onto what comes next rather than what Ichoseto leave behind.
Death. That’s what comes next for me. And if there is any luck in the universe for me, any cards left in my deck, then it will be a quick and peaceful one.