Nhel's words tugged at Anisha's heart, along with the intense gaze in his eyes.
Her breath seized, and she subconsciously clutched the sheets.
The air around them shifted, thickened.
She felt Nhel's eyes drift to her lips again, and hers mirrored the same pull.
Just as Nhel leaned in, Anisha's eyes flew open, something suddenly surfacing in her mind.
"Is there a problem?" Nhel asked, his brows furrowing.
Anisha leaned back, her eyes still wide.
"You… you came into the bath chamber," she said.
Nhel looked at her.
"I did."
"You asked the servants to leave," she continued.
"I did that too. Is there a problem?"
"That means you…" Her words trailed off.
Understanding dawned on Nhel, and the corner of his lips lifted slightly.
"Since I've already seen all of you, there's nothing to be shy about."
Anisha immediately bent her head, redness splattering across her cheeks.
At that moment, she had been too disheartened to even register that she had been completely bare before him.
"Why did you come back?" she asked, quickly changing the topic.
Why did he come back?
Nhel repeated her question silently in his mind, his gaze settling on her.
How was he supposed to tell her it was because of her?
That he had felt an inexplicable pull, an urge strong enough to make him turn back.
Anisha stared at him, waiting.
"I thought about it and decided to wait for any letter from my men. I couldn't possibly reach the seaport in three days," he said at last.
"Oh."
Anisha couldn't help but wonder how he had even considered reaching Hazucia's seaport in three days.
It was possible, but only if one rode without stopping, which was dangerous for anyone.
The night passed slowly.
Her tears had long dried, and no matter how she tried, she couldn't summon any more.
She clenched her fists, but then her expression shifted.
There had been times when Millicent punished servants who crossed her, and Anisha had accepted it as discipline.
But after Madlyn's death, she finally understood what it truly meant, how it felt when a servant suffered, whether for a mistake or something she now believed they had been framed for.
"What happened to that handmaid of yours?" Nhel asked.
He needed her to fall asleep before he could attempt to reach Night again.
Even now, the way he had suddenly appeared back in their chamber still felt surreal to him.
He would try the same method again and see if it worked.
"My second sister was too quick in delivering such severe punishment. This isn't the first time," Anisha replied, anger laced in her voice. "According to her, Madlyn stole from her treasury."
"You don't believe she could do such a thing?" Nhel asked.
Anisha turned to face him fully, disbelief flashing across her face.
"Of course not. I've known Madlyn since she was young. Her mother was my personal maid before she fell ill, and her daughter took over."
"I see your point," Nhel said, choosing not to provoke her further.
"Why don't you get some sleep? Tomorrow, we'll visit the servants' quarters." He tapped the bed lightly.
Anisha sighed and lay back down.
Nhel pulled her closer, a small smile gracing his lips at her scent.
Anisha stilled at first, then slowly relaxed in his arms, a faint smile forming on her lips as well.
"Thank you," she muttered.
****
Hours later, deep into the night, Anisha stirred.
She no longer felt Nhel's warmth.
"Nhel?" she called softly, her eyes scanning the chamber.
The lamps were dimming, so she rose and added more oil.
The room brightened, shadows retreating slightly.
She checked the bath chamber, he wasn't there.
Her brows furrowed. Where could he be at this hour?
Almost instinctively, her feet carried her outside and into the courtyard.
A horse neighed in the silence, the sound coming from the stables just a few meters away.
Anisha grew alert.
She tiptoed toward the stables and spotted a silhouette.
Instinctively, she slipped behind a crate, blending into the darkness.
She didn't know why she was taking such a risk, but something felt off.
Suddenly, the figure turned.
A sharp gasp escaped her.
"It's me," Nhel's voice came.
Anisha straightened, stepping out.
"Nhel?"
She walked toward him and saw him gently patting a horse. Night.
"What are you doing here?" she asked in a low voice.
"Couldn't sleep," Nhel replied casually, still stroking the horse.
In truth, after teleporting to retrieve Night, he had struggled to return.
It had taken him nearly two hours.
It seemed this newfound ability had limits.
"Oh," Anisha said softly.
Nhel turned to her.
"Would you like to go somewhere?"
"Where?"
He extended his hand.
Anisha hesitated only for a moment before placing hers in his.
They rode through the quiet roads, passing the sleeping city.
Anisha couldn't help but wonder where he was taking her.
"Where are we heading?" she asked.
Nhel didn't answer.
Soon, they entered the woods, and Night slowed.
Nhel dismounted first, then helped her down.
Dry branches crunched beneath her feet.
Tall, shadowed trees loomed around them, while the half-moon cast a faint silver glow.
He guided her forward, and she followed, uncertain but trusting.
Then, a spring came into view, mist hovering lightly over its surface.
Anisha turned to him.
"You've always wanted to know what it feels like to bathe in a natural spring… haven't you?" Nhel said.
Her eyes widened.
"How did you—"
A chuckle escaped him, and realization struck her.
"You didn't…"
"You don't have to get so worked up about it, Nisha."
Anisha turned back to the spring, her cheeks flushing.
How had he seen her list?
There had been so many embarrassing things written in it.
She looked back at him.
"I appreciate your thoughtfulness," she said quietly.
Nhel huffed a soft laugh.
"Go on. You haven't fulfilled your wish yet."
"Huh?"
"But you can't do that in this gown. Why not take it off instead of staring at me like that?" he teased.
Even in the dim light, she looked breathtaking.
Slowly, Anisha reached for her robe, letting it slide off her shoulders.
Nhel stilled.
Just one more layer and her whole body would come into view.
He took the robe from her and placed it neatly on a nearby stump.
She hesitated.
"Turn around. Until I get into the spring."
Without a word, Nhel obeyed.
Anisha stepped closer to the water, then hurriedly removed the last of her clothing, glancing back once to ensure he wasn't looking.
She slipped into the spring.
Warmth enveloped her instantly, soothing her body, easing every tension.
A soft sigh left her lips as she rested her head against the smooth stone lining the pool.
The quiet lapping of water filled the air.
Moments later, the water rippled again.
Nhel entered.
Anisha's eyes flew open, then shut again immediately, waiting until he had settled, earning a low chuckle from him.
"How did you find this place?" she asked, still keeping her gaze averted.
"Not too difficult," he replied.
Steam curled between them.
Anisha became suddenly aware of his presence, of the fact that beneath the water, he wore nothing.
Her heart began to beat unevenly.
She wondered if he felt it too.
Slowly, she let down her dark auburn hair, running her fingers through it.
Nhel watched her as she splashed water over her smooth shoulders.
The urge to pull her into his arms surged.
"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice rough, thick with restrained desire.
Anisha looked up,
But before she could respond, his lips claimed hers.
His lips were warm.
For a moment, she froze.
Then she responded.
Tentatively at first.
Nhel noticed her hesitation and guided her gently, deepening the kiss.
A quiet smile tugged at him as he explored her lips, his control slipping.
A soft gasp escaped Anisha as he pulled her closer.
The contact, the closeness, sent a strange sensation through her, unfamiliar and overwhelming.
Her body reacted before her mind could.
Nhel felt it too.
And it only fueled him.
He kissed her harder then pulled back briefly,
Only to see something new in her eyes.
Desire.
Anisha breathed softly, trying to steady herself.
But Nhel didn't give her time.
He kissed her again.
Deeper.
Hungrier.
He loved the taste of her.
This time, Anisha responded with equal intensity, arching into him.
A low sound escaped Nhel, half a groan, half a warning.
He had never felt like this before.
Like he could never have enough.
Anisha let out a soft, broken sound as the kiss deepened further.
And that was it.
Nhel lost control.
He pulled her up effortlessly.
She gasped as her legs instinctively wrapped around him.
Her breath was already unsteady.
She tried to pull away.
"Nhel…" she murmured against his lips, struggling to breathe.
But he didn't stop.
He twisted her tongue vigorously until she could taste faintly, something metallic.
His kiss grew rougher, more consuming.
Something snapped within him.
His demon… was surfacing.