“Understood,” Rhys said.
After Rell had mastered control of her Tell powers, Brita had them send out their awareness side by side and scan the grounds in a grid formation. Though Siban was completely cognizant of Rell, Rhys’s presence hovered like a shadow in the background. Trying to connect with him was like standing in a thick fog and catching glimpses of his dark form every so often. Siban focused his awareness behind him in an attempt to link more strongly with Rhys. When in battle, he would need to know where the members of his party were situated. Attempting this with only one person was difficult at best. Tracking an entire group would take considerably more training.
With great effort Siban maintained his awareness of Rhys and scanned the area ahead of him. It took several attempts to clarify the streams of information pouring into him, but eventually requests from Rell began trickling to him. Her desire to patrol a certain area crystalized. He in turn made a request and each time she responded accurately. By the end of practice, their abilities hummed in near perfect harmony.
Their knack for sensing one another’s needs calmed Siban’s apprehension about their journey into the Shadow World. Unlike before, he would not be alone and now possessed the skill to communicate with Rell if captured again.
His eyes cut to Rell. What would she do if faced with being turned Bane again? He watched her pick up the small sword she’d been given and examine the blade. She appeared calmer than he’d seen her in days. Maybe their newly acquired talents gave her more confidence. He watched her slash the air with the weapon, her face set in grim determination.
He hoped she wasn’t too confident as to be reckless.
Chapter Five
By the end of the day Rell’s head was swimming with information and her muscles ached with fatigue. Serena had readied a bath for her in the stone tub in her chamber. More than ever, Rell appreciated the fact that Jacob Le Daun was a man of innovations. He’d taken advantage of the hot springs under Faela and had created a hand pump and pipes that opened to let the water run freely into the tub. Getting the water in appeared easy, but Rell was uncertain how they were to get the water out.
Determined to enjoy her bath, Rell piled her hair on top of her head and slid into the steaming liquid. Heat surrounded her, sinking deep into her bones. She sighed as the warmth chased away the chill that was starting to settle as her body cooled from its vigorous workout. She lay against the smooth rock and thought about everything she’d learned.
Magnus had begun their lesson at the turning point just before the Thousand Year War between the Bringers and the Bane. He and Brita had imparted so much history her mind actually hurt. Ripples skated across the surface when she stirred the steaming water with her hand. Rose petals bobbed like boats on a windswept lake. Rell tilted her head forward until the water covered her chin. The muscles in her neck stretched and slowly released their tight hold.
A knock sounded at the door. “Who is it?”
“Siban. May I come in?”
She slid lower until the cloudy water touched her earlobes. Her first thought was to call out that she was not decent, but she stayed that urge. Though today’s activities had exhausted her, they’d also left her exhilarated and feeling slightly daring. “Come in.”
The door opened halfway and Siban stepped inside. He stopped, his eyes taking in the scene. Without looking away, he shoved the door closed behind him. His hand fumbled for the bolt and when he found it, he slid it across. “I can come back later.”
Certain he had no intention of leaving since he’d just locked them inside, Rell repressed her smile. “If you’d prefer to come back later, that’s fine.”
He glided forward, pulling his tunic and shirt over his head in one smooth move. “I don’t prefer that, so perhaps it’s better if I stay.”
Her breath caught in her throat. It was all she could do not to blush like the maiden she was. After everything she’d been through, it was a miracle he could still make her feel like an innocent.
Golden skin spread across his broad chest and rippled abdomen. Even in the low flickering light of the lanterns she could see the tiny white scars she’d spent hours healing, scars given to him by Vile and Sha-hera. Rell forced herself to look at his face, not letting him know the evidence of his torture brought back the pain of the desolate days they’d spent together in the Shadow World.
A shy smile crept across her lips. She was confident he would guide her when she no longer knew what came next. “Are you here to wash my back?”
His eyebrows lifted, he was surprised by her boldness. “That—and other things.”
His words sent a flash of heat through her and she suddenly wanted nothing more than to feel his hands on her body. She sat forward and bared her back to him, giving him silent permission to approach.
Siban knelt beside the stone tub and picked up the cloth. After dipping it in the water, he squeezed out the excess and applied it to her skin. She wished she could see him. Perhaps it was her insecurity at not knowing what to do or maybe she just wanted to watch his reaction as he touched her.
Rell wrapped her arms around her legs and bent her back. The cloth skated across her skin, gently washing away the grime of the day’s workout. Her eyelids slid closed and she concentrated on the exquisite sensation of Siban touching her so intimately.
His presence in her chamber with her naked and vulnerable awakened a part of her that she hadn’t felt since her encounter with Icarus in the caverns of the Shadow World. But this was different—more right—more thrilling—free of the darkness and unspoken obligations.
The cloth fell into the water with a tiny splash. She opened her eyes, staring at the wall opposite. Siban’s fingers replaced the rag, moving across her back, gently kneading and exploring every inch. Tiny shivers pebbled her skin when he gently blew on her shoulder.
Her quiet laugh turned to a moan of pleasure when his thumbs lightly dug into her shoulders, working the knots free. Rell relaxed her position and straightened slightly. The water still hid her breasts, keeping her modesty intact, but the desire to have Siban touch her in more intimate places was quickly growing.
She inched backward and rested her shoulders against the edge of the tub. The tips of her breasts hovered just beneath the water but could be easily seen. She held her breath, trying to contain the thrill racing through her. The pink buds bobbed into view with each movement she made. Was she being too bold? Siban’s massaging fingers slowed and she knew she had not been.
She watched his fingers creep along her shoulders toward her breasts. The breath stuck in her throat and for a few seconds she didn’t move. But she wanted more. With a silent invitation, she let her head fall back to rest on his shoulder, giving him complete access. Siban’s lips grazed her throat and his warm breath sent tremors of pleasure down her torso and up along her neck. She needed him closer, wanted more contact with him.
The desire he stirred inside emboldened her. She turned her face toward him and offered her mouth. He captured her lips. His hands drifted down her chest and cupped her breasts, his thumbs strumming her nipples to a hard point. Sparks of intense pleasure traveled to her core. She gasped and Siban’s tongue swept inside, melting away her inhibitions.
Rell twisted and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him as close as she could get and deepening their kiss. Heat radiated from him. The water from the bath caused her skin to slide smoothly across his chest. He groaned.
Nothing had ever felt this good—or right. She broke their kiss. “I need more.”