“Aydan. Sweet Aydan.”
Aydan smiled at the sound of Rein’s voice and rolled over, groaning a little. She was exhausted in the best possible way. Rein was dressed, but his hair was wet; he smelled of soap. He reached for her hands, pulling her into a sitting position.
“Come here.” He tugged her to her feet. With a yawn she grabbed the sheet, trying to wrap it around herself as Rein pulled back a flap of wall from the canvas tent, revealing a smaller room. Two free-standing tubs sat in the middle; steam rose from one, along with the same comforting, sweet smell that always accompanied Merryn’s baths. Aydan looked at Rein, surprised.
“I asked the servants to fill it while you were sleeping.”
She smiled. “Are we taking a bath now?”
“You are. I already did.”
“Oh.” She didn’t try to hide her disappointment.
He chuckled. “Next time. Dinner will be ready by the time you get out.”
“Not breakfast?”
“I’m afraid we’ve missed breakfast…and lunch…” He grinned.
She matched his grin and reached for him, running her hands down his back, kissing his neck.
“You’re never going to eat if you keep doing that.”
She pulled away with a sly glance, letting the sheet fall down around her ankles. “That’s okay.”
“No, it’s not.” He scooped her up and lowered her into the water, his smile every bit as sly as hers. She let out a squeal at the bite of hot water on her skin. “You need your strength. And I’m an old man. I need some rest.”
“Old,” she scoffed. “You people don’t get old.”
“You people?” He lifted an eyebrow.
“You know what I mean.”
“Us, we, you and me. We’re one and the same, Sweet Aydan.”
“I know. I’m still getting used to it.”
His smile turned soft, and he placed a kiss on the tip of her nose. “Take all the time you like.”
•••
You can find THE DARKENING: Book Two of the Shrilugh Saga at Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords, along with my other two titles. Enjoy!
Myndi Shafer 