Nyasia found out about her brother's trip to the Jade Temple as she prepared for bed. She was in her nightgown, a thin fabric of silk, as she faced the mirror.
'Why would Brother go there.. unless he thinks the temple is the source of the poison?' She had learned from her lessons that temples cultivated skills with herbs and plants. If Maryan had learned such things there...
She pouted.
'Obviously, Brother wanted to prove himself before he'd take the iron mine. But how was he able to get so much information? Could it be because of... him?'
"Is it?" she whispered.
"No idea." The voice had come from behind her—a familiar, deep, arrogant voice.
In the mirror, she saw Dorian leaning against the balcony door. He wore a black robe, and the moonlight carved shadows across the sharp, hard planes of his handsome face.
"You—" Her face flushed as she quickly pulled up the wrapper resting on her elbows and covered her bare shoulders. Then she rose swiftly.
Dorian's mouth curved as he watched her every reaction. Yet even beneath that thin covering, he could still see the line from her neck down to the shape of her chest. And he knew she caught his gaze looking at it as if he could tear it all down.
"Why are you here?" she said, exasperated. He had never visited this late before. "I must congratulate Rashet Manor on its sadly poor security."
"Oh, I made sure it stayed poor," he said with a quiet smile. "I could sleep here tonight, and no one would ever know."
"You're insane."
"Then sleep at my place."
"Then I'm insane."
She took a sharp breath.
"What is it this time?" she said. "I've been very busy trying to survive the people who keep messing with me, disturbing my peace. Oh—that includes you now, Your Grace."
But when he immediately released the door after her remark and came toward her, her heart died in her chest. Still, she could not move. His approach had frozen her solid.
"Say it again," he said, his arms went around her back. She scowled, her body pulled against him. But her gaze slid away from his, because those dark, bottomless eyes would ruin her the moment she let them.
"Say that I am a problem," he breathed, his fingers gripping her chin, tilting her head until she had no choice but to look into his eyes.
"Are you having fun?" she whispered. "Do you want me to be frightened of you, like the rest?"
"You believe that bothers me?" He smirked, full of arrogance. "My lady, as you are plainly not afraid of me, kiss me then."
'Shameless!' she gritted, watching the calm amusement in his obsidian eyes whose darkness seemed to swallow her whole.
"I will only kiss my husband—"
But before she could utter again, Dorian had already broken. He leaned in and ravaged her lips. Her hands tried to push him away, but couldn't. That agarwood scent of him filled her nose, as if trying to suffocate her into surrender. She was left to feel his mouth moving fast, hungry, stealing her breath. When he finally pulled back, she swallowed, breathless.
"This is too much."
He smiled.
"You said you'd kiss your husband."
He leaned in again, pulling her closer, his lips grazing her throat, his breath hot against her skin. His hand began to slip beneath the silk and slide along her leg. But then his hand stopped. 'Damn.' He cursed inwardly, realizing he had underestimated his own restraint.
"You're unredeemable, Dorian Alexei," she said hotly, trying to pull herself away again but she looked like a kitten trapped in a steel.
"I've never wanted to be saved, Sia," he murmured, his arms around her tightly, but his head rested against her shoulder. "Never mind. Your heath hasn't recovered yet."
"Rian—"
"Don't move," he said with a clear voice, as he tried to calm himself down. "Or we'll end up in that bed, which suits me just fine."
'And whose fault is this?' she thought.
When she stayed silent and stopped struggling, he lifted himself up just enough to press his thumb against her wrist.
"Passable. But you're well enough to come with me at my place," he said, still looking at her wrist.
Nyasia frowned she tried to understand the man who had just made such a casual decision. But she knew that calm indifference on his face. He was serious.
"Have you completely lost your mind?"
"I'm hardly sane, Nyasia Sofia," he said, smirking faintly.
...
SHE WAS A FOOL to ever agree to this. But even if she protested, he would find some way to drag her to his place. And he wouldn't tell her anything, which vexed her even more. His eyes held amusement as he put a thick, long robe on her, and she begrudgingly put on a veil.
On their way out, she was astonished to learn that Dorian knew of the Rashets' underground pathway, the one that led straight to the back of the forest. When they emerged above ground again, they were already outside the Rashet estate. Three guards were waiting for them and quickly ushered them into a carriage.
The trip was quick and wordless. When she finally stepped out, she looked up at a tall building bearing a grand sign: Sinopia Inn.
"Before you wage war on that iron mine, you need to know what you're risking," he told her, gripping her hand and guiding her inside.
"I thought you were going to share secret things only after I held up my end of the bargain," she said, glancing at him.
"You'll be my wife no matter what," he retorted, raking his long fingers lazily through his hair, and his sharp jaw moved casually.
*