Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

Derek reclined naked against the headboard with the pillows at his back and watched Kora , one foot propped on the bed with his knee bent. The woman captivated him in everything she did. Watching her bathe had been a lesson in torment. Even now, she held his gaze as she plucked food from one of the many platters and brought it to her mouth—a mouth that had recently been wrapped around his cock. Her long, bare legs were stretched out to rest on the chair beside her.

" Purple ," she stated.

He shot her a flat look. He never carried on conversations with his bed partners. Whenever they got chatty, he silenced them with his tongue. It worked every time. And while he wanted Kora again, he also found himself eager for her conversation. That was the only reason he went along with her curiosity in discovering his favorite color. It was a safe topic since neither wanted to give up anything personal.

She shifted, causing her breasts to sway. Her nipple hardened beneath his gaze. He swallowed as his cock stiffened. His craving continued to intensify. It boggled his mind, but he was enjoying himself too much to look deep into what it could mean.

Kora tilted her head to the side, and the dark curtain of her hair tumbled past her shoulder. " Blue ," she said around a mouthful of food.

" I told you that you wouldn't be able to guess it."

Her throat moved as she swallowed. Then her eyes dropped to his cuff before meeting his gaze. " Silver ."

He shook his head.

Kora threw a piece of bread at him, which he snatched out of the air. " All right. I give up. What is it?"

" The orange at sunset."

Her face softened as she smiled. " Nice choice. I never would've guessed that."

" I know," he replied with a grin.

She shot him a look, her brows raised. " Your turn."

He did not play these sorts of games. Derek didn't care enough about anyone to want to know such trivial things. It gave the impression that he might stick around. He thought about Kora's blood on his hands that day. A memory of the feeling of her lifeless body in his arms as he carried her to the top of the mountain rose.

Then he did something he had never done. He tried to guess her favorite color. " Black ."

Her laugh bounced off the walls. " Questioning my choice of clothing?"

" I wouldn't dream of it."

" It's a practical color, but not my favorite."

As soon as she said the words, he realized she chose black because it hid bloodstains. It also explained the mending he had seen. Then another thought made him frown. Just how often was she injured? And even more importantly, how often did she die? He would find out. If it was the last thing he did, he would discover everything there was to know.

Derek studied her. What was a color someone like her might like? " Pink ."

" Not even close," she teased.

He rested his arm atop his knee and let his wrist dangle. What would she do if he told her he knew she had come back from the dead? But he knew the answer. She'd likely clam up and leave the first chance she got. It's what he would do. " Green ."

Her mouth slackened in surprise. " How did you figure that out?"

" Lucky , I guess. Why green?"

" It signifies life." She wrapped her arms around her middle and shrugged. " Even rebirth if you think about spring and how everything blooms to life after vanishing during the winter."

Or someone returned from the dead. Derek observed the subtle play of emotions that moved over her face when she looked away. He wondered what she was thinking. It wasn't something he asked anyone because it invited them to ask him the same questions. Yet he was about to break another of his rules.

Thankfully , Kora spoke before he could. " I didn't get a chance to comment on your new attire earlier. They're nice."

Derek glanced at the new clothes piled on the floor after he'd used magic to remove them. He jerked his chin to the settee. " You have some, as well."

She held his gaze for a long moment before turning her head to look at the small sofa. " I can't accept that."

" You can."

" I can't." She cut her eyes to him, her chin lifting defiantly.

He quirked a brow at her. He had expected this, and he had come prepared. " Earlier , I said I wanted nothing in return, but that wasn't entirely truthful."

" It never is."

" Yet you came along."

" What do you want?" she demanded instead.

He glanced toward the shuttered window. " Nothing more than for you to remain with me while we're in the city. A couple walking through the streets can go unnoticed."

" Whereas a man on his own can't? I'm not buying it."

" I need to visit some places. You need to search. I need someone to accompany me, and you need access to areas you otherwise wouldn't be able to enter. As I said when I first offered to accompany you, it will benefit us both."

Silence stretched as she studied him. From the moment they'd entered Stonemore , Derek knew she was taking it all in so she could sneak away. He didn't want to spend his time searching for her when he could be helping her. The only problem was that she didn't trust him. He hadn't ever wanted someone's trust before.

And he wasn't quite sure why it was suddenly so important that he had hers.

" Why didn't you say that from the beginning?" she asked.

" I'm telling you now."

" That isn't what I asked."

He released a long breath and went with the truth. " I'm used to working alone."

In answer, she dropped her feet to the floor and rose to walk to the settee. She fingered the dark blue material. " Nearly everyone I saw once we reached the fifth level was in this color. Why ?"

" Only the wealthy are allowed that color. The lower classes wear green, brown, red, and orange."

" The blue also stands out."

" Aye ."

Her head swiveled to him. " This will make me look the part."

" Clothes are only a portion of it. You have to believe you belong. When you believe, so will everyone else."

" Do you come to Stonemore often?"

" Rarely , in fact."

" You're here, " the voice cooed in his head.

It came from nowhere and made him close his eyes and turn his head away.

" Derek ? Are you okay?" Kora asked.

The sound of his name on her lips pulled him into the present. He looked over to find her brow wrinkled in concern. For him? He wanted to pull her into his arms as he sank into her body once more.

" It's been a long time since you've walked the city streets. There is much you don't know."

" Derek ?"

" Aye ," he said and rose from the bed. He stalked to the window and threw it open again to stare out at the stone wall covered in flowering vines that led to level six. In his head, he asked, " What don't I know?"

" Free me while she's still weak, and I'll tell you everything."

" Tell me now," he demanded.

" I don't have long."

" Then you'd better talk fast."

An aggrieved sigh filled his mind. " Those with magic are killed. Don't let anyone know who you are. And stay away from the priests."

" They can't hurt me."

" Not you, but others."

That made no sense. Why wouldn't those with power use magic to protect themselves?

" The priests target those who don't know how to protect themselves," the voice answered.

Shock ran through Derek . " You can't mean…?"

" I do. Free me. We will end the priests once and for all."

" I don't need you for that."

" But you do need me to fill in the past."

Derek clenched his teeth and curled his fingers around the bottom of the windowpane.

" Time is running out," she said. " I need you, and whether you want to believe it or not, you need me to fight her."

" Derek ?"

He jerked at Kora's touch. When he looked over his shoulder at her, her frown had deepened. " I'm all right."

" You don't look it."

He was done talking—to Kora and the disembodied voice in his head. He turned and wrapped his arms around Kora . Then his lips found hers.

A mist hung around the city when morning dawned. Kora made use of the tub again. Derek had wanted to join her, but if he did, they wouldn't leave the room for hours, and there were things he needed to see to.

He managed to wait until she finished her bath before using the tub himself. Derek stepped out to dry off when he caught sight of Kora . The dark blue breeches skimmed her legs like a second skin and were tucked into her boots. But it was the long-sleeved top with its plunging neckline that fell nearly to her belly button and showed her incredible cleavage that caught his eye.

" Everything fits perfectly," she said as she ran her hand over the soft material on her arm.

He followed her movements as she skimmed her stomach under her breasts, moving downward to her hips.

" How do I look?" she asked.

His eyes jerked to her face. He said the first thing that came to mind. " Stunning ."

" What should I do with my hair? Leave it down, or put it up?"

" Down ." He cleared his throat when he heard the hoarseness in his voice. " Down ."

She ran her hands through the thick strands. It parted naturally to the side and framed her face. Kora walked to the table as she eyed his body. " You wear clothes well, but I like you just like this."

" Is that your way of saying you want to stay inside?" he teased.

" That's a rather tempting offer."

He dropped the drying cloth and closed the distance between them. " Just tempting?"

" More than you know," she whispered huskily.

Derek gazed into her brown eyes flecked with amber. He knew exactly what she meant. He had remained with her all night instead of checking on the eggs. " Good ," he told her and gave her a quick kiss.

He turned to dress and felt her eyes on him. His pants were thicker but just as supple as hers. His shirt had the same plunging neckline that stopped at his stomach. Kora had no embellishments on her garments. She didn't need them. He , however, had a mixture of different-colored blues embroidered along his neck and wrists.

" I like the color on you," Kora said.

He brushed his hair and readied to pull it into a queue when she made a sound. Derek raised a brow at her.

" Leave it free."

" All of it?" he asked.

She considered for a second and then nodded.

Derek dropped his arms. Once outside their room, anything could happen. He almost tossed her onto the bed to stay inside for another day, but he knew they had to get out eventually. " Guard your words and expressions once we're out of this chamber."

" Are you expecting trouble?"

" I always expect trouble."

They left the room and walked downstairs before leaving the inn.

" Any destination in particular?" she asked.

The streets weren't nearly as full as the lower levels, but Derek still kept her beside him. " Just having a look around."

Many met his gaze and quickly looked away. Kora smiled and nodded to those they passed. Some were openly friendly, while others were more reserved. They walked the length of level five before the switchback took them to six. There were more homes there but enough businesses to draw people.

When Derek saw a crowd, he turned them toward it. Kora tensed slightly as they entered a jewelry store. Everyone wanted to see some necklace he couldn't care less about. He had other reasons for being there.

He watched as others gravitated to Kora . She was approachable with a pleasant smile, and the owners were quick to talk to her. Derek introduced himself but didn't say much more. Once the couple learned that he and Kora were new to Stonemore , they readily shared some of the city's ins and outs.

" You must attend any event given by Lord Martti . His cook is amazing, and his parties are talked about by all," the wife said.

The husband nodded. " Anyone from level five and up is invited, so you don't need an invitation. As a matter of fact, there's a gathering tomorrow evening."

" We'll be there," Derek said. " We would love to get to know others."

Kora glanced at him and nodded. " It sounds like fun."

" Anything else we should be aware of?" Derek asked.

The couple exchanged a look before the man leaned forward. " Stonemore is safe from any of the outcasts."

" Outcasts ?" Kora asked.

The woman nodded and whispered, " Those with… magic ."

She said the word as if she might go up in flames at any second. Kora stiffened beside him. " How can you be sure no one has magic?"

" The Priests of Innus protect us," the husband stated. " They find anyone with abilities."

The woman shuddered. " It starts with the children. There were regular sacrifices until recently, when some of the kids escaped. The priests won't be stopped, though."

" Then we chose the right location to live," Derek said, forcing a smile.

The man nodded. " I wouldn't live anywhere else."