Asher's POV
The cold water struck my skin like needles, but it still wasn't enough.
I braced my hands against the tiled wall of the shower, my chest heaving, every muscle in my body coiled too tight to relax.
My jaw clenched, water running down my face, but it did nothing to extinguish the heat burning through me.
I could still taste her.
Cassie's lips on mine. The way she'd moaned my name like it meant something. The way her body arched beneath me, soft, warm, so fucking willing.
I'd come so close to losing control — too close.
I groaned, lowering my head as the memory of her scent, her skin, the desperate little sounds she made filled my mind.
I'd left her lying in that bed like a goddamn coward, and now, even with freezing water pounding against my back, my body refused to calm.
My cock was hard as stone, throbbing with every pulse of blood in my veins.
"Shit," I muttered under my breath.
I knew what had to be done. There was no way in hell I could sleep like this.
I gritted my teeth, wrapped my hand around myself, and let my head fall back as images of her flooded my mind.
Cassie's lips parted, her soft pink tongue darting out, eyes dark with need as she knelt before me.
I imagined her taking me into that perfect mouth, imagined the way her warm lips would feel sliding down my length, imagined the look of pure submission and hunger in her eyes.
"Fuck!" I cursed low, biting back a groan as I worked myself harder, the thought of her driving me to the edge.
It wasn't noble, it wasn't right but fuck, it was the only thing that would get me through this night.
Moments later, with a strangled, guttural sound, I found my release, the pleasure hitting hard and fast, leaving me trembling in its wake.
I let the water wash it away, but the ache remained. Not in my body this time, but in my chest.
Because no matter how much I tried to distance myself, I knew one thing for certain.
I was already too far gone for Cassie and that was bad news for the both of us.
I didn't sleep in the bed.
Couldn't.
After the shower, I threw on some clothes and crashed on the couch, but my mind stayed wide awake, pacing over everything.
Cassie's safety, Mila's schemes, and the secrets hiding beneath this house.
By the time the first rays of dawn broke through the curtains, I was already on my feet.
I slipped out of the room quietly, careful not to wake her. She looked so peaceful, tangled in those sheets, and I hated myself a little for leaving like this.
But if what Mark told me last night was true, I couldn't waste another second.
I made my way down the back corridors, avoiding the main guards until I reached the outer gate.
Mark was already waiting, leaning against a tree at the edge of the woods, a bag slung over one shoulder.
"Took you long enough," he muttered, tossing me the bundle.
"I had to make sure she was asleep."
He smirked. "Your restraint's slipping, brother."
"Shut up."
I pulled on the uniform, a plain guard's tunic, mask, and a leather strap to bind my hair back. Mark handed me a small vial.
"This'll mask your scent for about twenty four hours. After that, you're screwed."
I downed it without hesitation, grimacing at the bitter taste.
"Any changes inside?" I asked, adjusting the mask over my face.
"Not much. But the passage under the east wing? It's real. Leads to some kind of underground chamber. Rumor is, that's where they've been keeping records, contraband… maybe even prisoners."
My jaw tightened. "And no one thought to check before now?"
"Everyone loyal to Mila's side runs security at night. The council's blind."
Figured!.
"I'm getting in tonight," I said.
"With the new shift rotation, I'll blend right in."
Mark clapped me on the shoulder. "Watch your back, Ash."
I gave him a nod and headed toward the barracks.
*
*
*
Nightfall
Blending in was easier than expected. With my scent masked and face covered, no one gave me a second look as I joined the night patrol.
Most of the guards on duty were ones I didn't recognize, probably recent hires loyal to Mila and that worked in my favor.
I kept to the shadows, sticking with the group until the opportunity came.
Around midnight, when the other guards gathered for a drink break near the kitchens, I slipped away down the eastern hall.
The old part of the house was quiet, dust motes floating in the torchlight. I followed the directions Mark gave me, the third tapestry on the left, behind the cracked stone sconce. Sure enough, I found the hidden lever.
I pulled it.
The wall groaned open, revealing a narrow, winding staircase descending into darkness.
I took a breath and stepped inside.
The passage was colder than expected, the air damp and thick with the scent of old stone and mildew.
The further I went, the heavier the silence became, pressing against my ears.
I reached the bottom and found a long corridor branching in two directions. Faint flickers of torchlight lit one path; the other remained pitch black.
I chose the dark.
I moved carefully, every step echoing against the ancient stone walls. I could feel it, secrets buried deep beneath this house, things no one wanted found.
I was only a few steps from what looked like an old vault door when a voice cut through the shadows.
"Hey, you there."
I froze.
A figure stepped out from the alcove to my left, a guard, taller than me, armed, eyes narrowing as he took in my unfamiliar face.
"Didn't see you at roll call," the man growled.
My hand slid toward my dagger.
Shit.
"State your name."
I didn't answer.
And just like that, the tension snapped tight as a wire.