The steam from the geothermal pool curled around us, thick and warm.
Akira's fingers lingered against my cheek for a fraction of a second longer than strictly necessary. His amber eyes were incredibly dark, focused entirely on my face as if he were trying to memorize every single eyelash.
I forgot how to breathe. I forgot how to form coherent words.
"You are staring, wife," Akira murmured, a low, teasing rumble in his chest. A faint, knowing smile played at the corner of his lips.
"You put a very expensive rock in my hair," I fired back, though my voice sounded embarrassingly breathless. I took a tiny step back, purely to give my racing heart a chance to slow down. "I am trying to adjust. I went from scrubbing toxic ash to wearing sapphires in less than three days. It is... overwhelming."
Akira chuckled, a rich, warm sound that echoed off the damp stone walls of the garden. He finally dropped his hand, respectfully stepping back to give me space.
