Ever watches as if me chewing is the most interesting thing he’s ever seen. “Does the face you are making mean you hate it?”
I wouldn’t say I hate it—not out loud, anyway. “I’m just not used to it.” Still, I eat as much as my stomach will allow and once I’ve had my fill, Ever devours what’s left. It’s hard to believe such a small portion is enough for him, but he insists it is, and an argument seems silly, so I let the issue drop.
“What happens now?” Back in Rosehill, Nia and I would usually spend our afternoon exploring the city or lounging in the sun-drenched garden with books from the library. Here, there is no city, no books, or sunlight.
“Since you already washed my laundry—which I did not expect you to do,” he mutters with a stern look, “we should probably wash ourselves.”
A great idea. I could do with a nice, long soak. “Where is the bathing room?”
His face falls into a frown. “There is a river.”
Surely, he doesn’t mean the river beyond the fire. “Isn’t it cold?” Just looking at it gives me shivers.
“I try not to linger.”
Do I want to bathe in a river? Absolutely not. But I also don’t want Ever feeling like what he has to offer isn’t good enough. Because it is. Life on this side of The Divide is just different and will take some getting used to. Bathing in a river could be fun. Right?
Mischief sparkles in his dark eyes as his smile returns. “If we bathe together, I could warm you up.”
Now, that does sounds like fun.
Ever disappears inside to grab the soap, then takes my hand and leads me to the shore. The river is large but moves lazily enough so there’s no fear of being swept away with the current.
He strips off his trousers and walks straight in without so much as a hitch in his breath. Seeing him disrobed in the middle of the day feels very different from seeing him last night. Heavens, he is magnificent. How could I believe for even a moment that I would be happy with a Seelie husband after meeting him?
With the water kissing Ever’s waist, he twists, sending ripples toward the shore where I wait.
I can do this. I used to swim in the early spring on the mountain when I was younger, didn’t I? This is no different.
“I can boil water if you would prefer a sponge bath instead.”
Yes, please. “There’s no need. I want to do this.” To prove to myself and Ever that I’m not too soft for life in the Unseelie lands. But first. I glance over my shoulder at the wagon, my stomach sinking even lower. “There’s no privy, is there?”
He shakes his head.
No matter. I’ll go over by that boulder. Be one with nature.
Once I’ve relieved myself, I return to the river and slip out of my shift. Ever’s onyx gaze tracks my every movement, a predator studying his prey. Nerves flutter in my stomach as the icy water closes over my feet. My ankles. My calves. How is he just standing there without moving?
Are my lips blue? If they’re not yet, they will be soon.
When I reach my waist, the shivers start.Oh heavens. Oh heavens. Oh heavens. How is it getting colder? This is it. This is how I die. Turned to a block of ice in the middle of a bloody river.
Ever closes the distance between us in a handful of strides. His arms come around me, instantly infusing my body with his heat.
“Hold your breath,” he whispers against my temple.
My feet disappear from beneath me and water closes over my head. Hypothermia. That’s what this shock is. I am dying from hypothermia.
“I h-hate y-you,” I splutter when he brings us back up for air.
For some reason, the venom in my tone makes him laugh. “Then turn around so that I can make you hate me less.”
Doesn’t he see that there is nothing that will make me hate him any less?—
He gathers my hair along with the soap and starts to massage my scalp. The tension in my muscles slowly eases despite the frigid temperatures. Warmth collects low in my belly and between my thighs.
“Is it working?” he murmurs against my cheek, his chest slipping against my wet back.