Chapter 73
"It wasn't that bad," I said quickly, waving off his concern. "I just wanted to be sure the scent was strong enough."
"Let me see it."
"It's fine, Rowan," I protested, but he wasn't having it.
"Arin, please," he said, his tone firm but gentle.
With a sigh, I lifted my skirt slightly to reveal the piece of cloth wrapped around my thigh. His jaw tightened as he knelt before me, carefully unwrapping it. The wound was shallow but slightly red and irritated.
"You shouldn't have done this," he muttered, his voice low. "You could've hurt yourself more than you realize."
"It was necessary," I said softly.
He glanced up at me, his expression a mix of frustration and something else—something tender. "Stay still," he instructed, pulling a small cloth from his pocket. He poured a bit of water onto it from a jug nearby at his side and began gently cleaning the wound.
I watched him work, his touch surprisingly careful and precise. The warmth of his hand against my skin sent a shiver through me, and I quickly averted my gaze.
"There," he said after a moment, wrapping the wound with fresh cloth he'd brought. "That should help."
"Thank you," I murmured, my voice barely audible.
He didn't move right away, his hands lingering near my leg as his eyes met mine. There was a charged silence between us, and I felt my breath catch as he slowly leaned closer.
"Rowan," I whispered, my heart racing.
"Arin," he murmured back, his voice full of longing.
He tilted his head, his lips almost brushing mine when I turned my face away. "We can't," I said firmly, stepping back. "Not here. Not in his chambers."
Reality seemed to crash over him, and he pulled back, running a hand through his hair. "You're right," he said, his voice strained. "This isn't safe."
I nodded, trying to steady my breathing.
"Come to my chambers," he said suddenly, his voice quieter but no less intense.
"What?" I asked, my brow furrowing.
"There's a secret entrance," he explained. "No one would see you. We could talk without fear of being overheard."
I shook my head immediately. "No. I can't, Rowan. It's too risky."
"You don't trust me?" he asked, his tone softer now, almost pleading.
"It's not about trust," I said, my voice firm. "It's about survival. If anyone found out, it would ruin me, it would ruin you too."
He looked at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he sighed and stepped back. "You're right. I shouldn't have asked."
"Rowan," I said softly, reaching out to touch his arm. "Thank you for helping me. But you need to leave before someone sees you here."
He hesitated, as if wanting to argue, but then nodded. Pulling his hood back up, he glanced at me one last time. "Be careful, Arin."
"I will," I promised.
Without another word, he slipped out the door, and I quickly shut it behind him, leaning against it as I tried to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me.
I didn't know what scared me more—the danger of what we'd just done, or how much I wanted to risk everything for him.
...........
The castle was silent in the dead of night, the faint flicker of torches casting shadows along the stone corridors. I tiptoed through the halls, my heart pounding in my chest as I clutched the edges of my cloak. Escaping Lucian's chambers had been easier than I'd expected—he'd gone to bed early, likely still sulking from his anger over the night before.
I had to check on Delilah. I hadn't been able to stop thinking about her since the Wise Seven had ruled against her execution. I needed to see for myself if she was truly safe.
After weaving through several corridors, I spotted two of Rowan's men near the east wing. I ducked into an alcove, keeping to the shadows as I listened to their conversation.
"She's with the priestesses now," one of them said, his voice low. "The Moon Goddess Temple."
The other nodded. "At least there, she'll be watched. She's not our problem anymore."
I waited until they moved on before stepping out. The Moon Goddess Temple wasn't far, and if I hurried, I could make it back before anyone noticed my absence. Pulling my cloak tighter, I slipped through the castle gates and into the night.
The path to the temple was quiet, the moonlight illuminating the way. When I arrived, two priestesses greeted me, their expressions curious but kind.
"I've come to see Delilah. I am a friend of hers," I said softly.
They exchanged a glance but eventually led me to a small chamber near the back of the temple.
Delilah sat near a window, the silver light bathing her pale face. She looked better—calmer, almost serene—but a weariness in her eyes hadn't been there before.
"Arin?" she asked, her voice softer than I'd ever heard it. "You shouldn't be here."
"I had to see you," I said, stepping closer. "I needed to know you were okay."
She gave me a small, sad smile. "I'm fine. The priestesses have been kind."
I hesitated, searching her face for the truth. "I was worried about you. After everything that happened..."
Delilah waved a hand, as if brushing away the past. "It's over now. They've sent me here, and it's better this way."
I sat beside her, the cool stone bench chilling me through my cloak. "What happens now? Will you stay here forever?"
She shrugged. "Maybe. The temple is quiet, peaceful. A good place to... reflect."
There was something in her tone, a hint of bitterness that she couldn't quite hide. I reached for her hand, but she pulled away.
"Be careful, Arin," she said suddenly, her eyes narrowing.
"Careful?" I asked, startled by the shift in her demeanor.
"With Lucian," she said, her voice low and warning. "He's a snake, Arin. He only looks out for himself. The moment things get hard, he'll leave you. Just like he left me."
Her words stung, even though I knew she spoke from her own pain. "He won't—"
"He will," she interrupted sharply. "I've seen it before. Lucian doesn't love anyone but himself."
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