Slowly, I crack open the door and slip inside. The chamber is stunning, flooded with light from massive windows looking out to the city. Like most of the keep, the walls are made of the mountain’s natural stone, creating a sense of raw beauty.
My eyes are drawn to the huge bed, draped in gauzy fabrics. The pillows look heavenly soft, and it seems far too big for one person. For some reason, the perfectly made-up bed looks like an unkept promise, an invitation to muss the sheets and send the pillows flying.
I take a breath and search for Ezryn. The rush of water sounds adjacent to the bed, and mist sprays out from beyond a pane of frosted glass. My throat clenches. Behind the glass is a man’s silhouette, light and shadows teasing his shape.
Water streams from a hole in the wall, cascading down the rocky surface. It’s like an indoor waterfall, a shower that seems carved from nature itself. And Ezryn’s in there right now.
My mouth suddenly feels bone-dry. Though he’s only a blurry silhouette, I can make out the lean lines of his body, usually hidden behind his armor. His arms raise up, fingers running through his hair. I remember when I was able to tangle my own hands in his thick waves, both wanting to cherish the feel of him and being terrified of how temporary I knew it was.
I drift closer. He turns, his face nothing but obscured shadow. But I swear I can make out the line of his nose and the curve of his lips. My fingers remember everything, a phantom touch.
Unconsciously, I take another step. This single pane is the only thing between me and that mysterious smile I’ve seen in my mind’s eye. The only thing between me and his skin…
My eyes drift down. His back is to me now, and I chide myself as I wonder if he only turned—
“Just finishing up washing,” he says. “I’ll be out in a moment.”
“Oh! Uh, yeah. No hurry.” Heat rushes from my chest up to the tips of my pointed ears, and I stiffly walk back to the bed and sit on the edge.
A shuffle and the ting of metal sounds from beyond the glass, and then Ezryn steps out.
He’s wearing a helm I’ve never seen before; the same style, but a brilliant starlight silver.
And he has a towel wrapped around his waist.
And that’s it.
Every nerve in my body lights up. There’s a voice in my head screaming at me not to be a lecherous perv, but the lecherous perv part is too strong, and I fully drink him in from the bottom of his long legs to the crest of his helm.
He stands with one arm leaning against the pane of glass, well-defined chest, covered in dark hair on full display. Water drips down his tawny skin, begging to be licked. Muscles ripple over his arms and abdomen.
He tilts his helmet, and the glint of light on the visor almost makes it look like he’s narrowing his eyes. “So…”
“Huh?” I answer. Then I realize my mouth is half-hanging open, and my eyes are practically out of their sockets. And I was the one who showed up in his room. Words would be nice right about now.
It’s just that I’ve only ever caught glimpses of his skin: the line of wrist between his armor and his gloves, the beautiful curve of neck under his helmet. And each of these were like treasures to be squirreled away. But now…
Now he’s on display like a piece of art, and merely looking doesn’t feel like it could ever satisfy.
“You needed me?” he adds. I always thought it was his armor that made him seem so still, but even like this, he barely moves. The subtle nods of his helm are all I have to go on.
I look down, folding my hands in my lap. “I wanted to make sure you were okay. Everything happened so quickly yesterday.”
He sighs. “Everything may have happened quickly for us, but I think things have been brewing in the Spring Realm for a long time. In my heart, I knew I was needed here. I only hope I’m not too late.”
“We’ll get to the bottom of this. Dayton and I can start investigating the stolen Spring steel. And Kel and Farron should be here any day.” I stand up and close the distance between us. It feels like the easiest thing in the world. “You’re not alone, Ezryn.”
His hand drifts up and pushes a curl of hair off my face. “Trust me, Petal, I have never doubted your intrepid heart.”
I place my hand over his, holding the warmth of his palm to my cheek. “Then what are your doubts? Ever since we’ve returned from Autumn, you’ve been distant. If you’re not in the Briar, you’re training or alone in your chamber.”
His other hand cups the opposite side of my cheek. “You find the good in all things. But trust me when I tell you, every decision I have ever made has been the wrong one. Even coming back to Spring and sitting upon the throne … Who am I to claim myself a better leader than Kairyn? Now, I must decide his fate once again.”