Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

Stonemore was everything Kora had thought it would be. And so much more she hadn't. The noise was so loud she could barely stand it. The press of people made her want to scream. And the smell was intolerable. She didn't understand why anyone would remain. At least people had a chance to find food out in the forest. Here , they were waiting for handouts that would never come. She thought of the dead infant she had seen and had to shove it from her mind.

She looked upward to the top of the mountain and the palace. That's where Villette would be. The ruler upon her throne.

" Come ," Derek murmured, tugging on her arm as they moved to the fourth level.

Kora tried to move behind him, but he kept her beside him. He put himself on the outside so others ran into him instead of her. Derek's protective nature was surprising. It was a side she hadn't expected to see. She didn't know why he had offered to take her to Stonemore , nor did she entirely trust him.

But she couldn't deny that it was nice not being alone. She never would've gotten through the gates without him. Though she had to wonder if entering the city had been the right thing. Soldiers really were everywhere. Then there were the red-robed priests. She didn't like the look of them. Nor the ones who wore armor beneath their robes. What were priests doing wearing armor, anyway?

Too many eyes watched her.

Too many ready and willing to stop her.

Derek slowed as he looked at a building. It appeared to be some kind of living quarters and based on the number of red-robed individuals around it, it was theirs. He then walked to a large semicircular overlook with a stunning view of the city below and the forest beyond. She saw the tops of the trees extending far into the horizon. Kora placed her hands on the stone and peered down. Seeing so many out in the elements without food and very little water sickened her. She wanted to scream at them all to get out. But they wouldn't listen to her. Fear kept them rooted. And she knew all about how such trepidation could take hold of someone.

Kora glanced at Derek to see what he thought, but he stood with his back to the wall and his gaze beyond. She turned and followed his line of sight to the tall building near the barracks. " What is that?"

" My guess is a temple."

" For ?"

" They call themselves the Priests of Innus ."

She scanned the area to find a sea of red around them. " I've never heard of them. Or priests who wear armor."

" I have heard some rumors."

The way he bit out the words had her swinging her gaze to him. Derek clenched his fists, fury rolling off him. " What do they do?"

" Not here."

She was prepared when he took her hand and led her to the gates. Every street was angled, winding up or down the mountain depending on which way you were headed.

The soldiers straightened as they approached the gate. Derek said nothing, simply handed over the invitation. The guard read it and gave it back before nodding to another to allow them entry. Kora released the breath she had been holding as they made their way up the fifth level.

The difference from the lower four levels was markedly noticeable. The streets were absent of the unhomed and trash. Everything was clean and orderly. Those walking were dressed to show the wealth of their station. Even the businesses were beautiful. And it was evident that she and Derek stuck out against such grandeur.

If Derek saw the stares, they didn't seem to bother him. She , however, felt every gaze. Would they try to throw them out? She wasn't entirely sure she and Derek were supposed to be here at all. When he started to enter an inn, she didn't follow. He paused and turned, lifting a brow in question.

" I can't stay here," she whispered.

He walked to her. " Why not?"

In their haste to get to Stonemore , she hadn't thought about the very thing she would need above all else: coin. Kora glanced around and moved closer before lowering her voice to say, " I can't pay."

" Good thing I can."

" I can't ask that of you."

" You aren't."

She searched his eyes. " In exchange for?"

" I didn't ask for anything."

" But you want something."

He moved closer until their bodies touched. " So do you."

Waking up with his body molded to hers had been incredible. Until she remembered where she was headed and why. She'd thought they would go their separate ways once they were in the city. Having Derek around only put him in danger. She also couldn't let him get in her way. Nothing would stop her now.

" I ask nothing of you. I demand no repayment. Come in or don't," Derek said before entering the building.

Kora watched his retreating back and went through her options. It didn't take long because she only had two. Then she followed him inside. By the time she reached Derek , he had already handed over payment and was being led up the stairs. He didn't look behind him once. He walked into a room and left the door open, assuming she would follow. Which she did.

Derek made his way to the window and opened the shutters. " What are you afraid of?"

So very much. " Nothing ."

" Then close the door."

Kora did as he instructed and got her first look at the room. It was three times the size of her hut. There was even a square tub in the far corner. The bed was a grand affair adorned in cream and red. There was a table, chairs, and a plush settee upholstered in deep crimson.

Her gaze slid back to Derek . Just when she thought she had him figured out, he surprised her. He didn't dress as if he had wealth, nor had he acted like it. He didn't walk around with a weapon either, yet everyone gave him a wide berth. Sensing how dangerous he was, just as she had. Even the soldiers in Stonemore had acted nervous around him. He was an enigma she would likely never sort out.

But , oh, how she wished to.

He turned to face her. " Food will be brought up soon." Then he walked past her to the door.

" Where are you going?" she asked, rotating with him.

He paused with his hand on the door and looked back at her. " I have an errand. I thought you might like some privacy. Don't leave."

She met his gaze and realized he waited for an answer. She nodded. With that, he was gone. Kora turned back to the room, her gaze landing on the tub. She imagined sitting in the hot water. It had been a very long time since anyone had told her what to do. But he was right. She did want some privacy. And a long soak.

Kora walked to the tub and ran her fingers along the edge. It was stone carved right out of the mountain. She noticed handles at one end and was reaching for one when a knock sounded, startling her. She yanked her hand back and whirled in the direction of the sound.

" Get it together," she chided before going to open the door.

A young girl greeted her with a smile while holding a tray laden with food. " Hello , miss. Shall I put this on the table?"

" Oh , yes." Kora opened the door wider.

The servant placed the tray on the table and then faced her. " Is there anything else?"

" I would like to bathe."

" You can find the drying cloths on the shelf. There is a basket filled with different-scented soaps just here. However , if there is another scent you would prefer, I'll try to find it."

Kora hadn't even seen the shelves. It was difficult to see much when Derek was around. He filled spaces to capacity. Not just spaces, though. He filled her senses and her mind, too. Utterly . Completely . " Do I need to bring up water?"

" Not at all," the girl replied with a smile and walked to the tub. She pointed to the far handle. " This one is for hot water." She pointed to the one near her. " This one for cold. Press the plug at the bottom to hold the water in and pull it out to release it."

Incredible . Maybe she was beginning to understand why so many flocked to the city. " Thank you."

The door closed softly behind the girl. Kora immediately turned the handles, and water flowed freely. One hot, one cold. She adjusted until she got the temperature the way she wanted it and pushed the plug closed. Then she yanked off her boots and clothing in record time. She took down the basket of soaps to smell each one. She chose the one with bits of rose petals.

The smell of the food pulled her to the table as the tub filled. She nibbled on different dishes, trying each of them, her gaze going often to the depth of the water. When it was high enough, she stepped into the tub and lowered herself until she rested against the gently sloped back. Nothing had ever felt so decadent.

Steam curled from the surface and wafted around her, making her hair stick to the sides of her face. Her eyes closed as the water lapped at her skin. Her tense muscles began to ease. The aches in her body softened. She might never leave. How many cold baths had she taken? How many quick scrubs in rivers and lakes? This was how one was meant to bathe.

She didn't know how long she lay in the water before she realized she wasn't alone. Her eyes snapped open to find Derek standing beside her, his eyes locked on her body. His hair was still damp from his bath, and he wore new clothes. His hands fisted, then flexed at his side. She spotted the bulge in his pants that made her squeeze her legs together as desire pulsed greedily.

" Woman ." His voice was rough, the word a warning and an endearment.

Kora lowered into the water until only her face was visible, then sat up and smoothed her wet hair back with her hands, wondering—hoping—he would join her. She glanced at him when she reached for the soap and lathered her hands. She scrubbed her arms first and then her breasts. He groaned—or was it a growl?—before stalking to the table, his back to her.

She grinned and finished washing her body and then her hair before rinsing. Reluctantly , she lifted the plug and rose to reach for the drying cloth. Derek was there in a heartbeat, holding her flush against his body. He looked deep into her eyes before claiming her mouth for a deep, all-consuming kiss.

She was breathless when he lifted his head. She tried to pull him down for more, but he leaned back.

" I want you in my bed. Not as payment but because you want to be there," he said.

Her lips throbbed from his kiss, and blood whooshed in her ears. What was it about Derek that made her throw caution to the wind? What did he have that made her forget all reason just to be with him? To have him inside her, touching her. Kissing her.

" Will you?"

She swallowed and nodded.

" Say it," he insisted.

" Aye . I want to be in your bed."

He lifted her from the tub and dropped her onto the mattress. Kora bounced once before he covered her body. She wondered how he had removed his tunic so quickly, but she quickly forgot when he kissed her again. Then he was inside her, thrusting in and out in time with his tongue in her mouth.

They came together frantically, as if each would die without the other, as if they hadn't been together in eons. She locked her legs around him. He angled her hips and drove deeper. Harder . Faster .

He brought her hands over her head and threaded his fingers with hers. She felt the potency of his body, the vitality that rippled through his muscles before sliding inside her. He ended the kiss and looked at her. She was trapped in his eyes, lost in the desire that curled around them, through them. In them.

It was charged, carnal.

Utterly primal.

He gazed at her, and she yearned. He touched her, and she was lost. There was power there, a kind she didn't understand or care about. Not when he made her feel so good.

And she knew in that instant she was lost to him, to the power he had over her body. One she gave willingly, readily.

Eagerly .