to be lead, which we’ve since used for artillery and ammunition.” He stopped rambling to clear his throat. “It was a stupid joke, anyway.”
But Lilac was busy with her plate. She stuffed the rest of the eggs and toast into her mouth, then washed it down with the entire glass of bitter wine. Lorietta hadn’t given her a light pour either, but she didn’t care. The repeated mention of shapeshifters and unwanted reminders of the horrible thing she had done to Freya struck a chord, and she was eager to leave and forget. This was exactly the opposite of what she’d needed tonight, but at least she got a portion of the information she was seeking.
“If you’ll pardon me.” She wiped her mouth on a cloth napkin and stood up. “It’s been so nice chatting with you.”
“What?” Garin stared incredulously, standing up along with her. “I was only joking. You have a charming name.”
“It’s not that at all. I’ve had a long journey today and am exhausted, that’s all. I’m not accustomed to staying up so late,” she lied.
Before she could move, Garin was out in front of the table. He held his hand out to help her from the alcove and down the single step. Lilac was grateful for the gesture, since she could feel the ill effects of the alcohol setting in.
“The least I can do is walk you to your room.”
She felt bad for leaving so soon, but she couldn’t stomach the memories that had arisen. Almost hesitantly, she held her arm out as if in agreement.
“I suppose.”
Lightly gripping his bicep, she allowed him to lead her up the staircase, only mildly aware of the stares from around the room; her proximity to Garin was distracting enough.
When they arrived outside her door, Lilac turned to tell him goodnight. The way the hallway torchlight illuminated his hair from the back made him look like pure magic. Something like concern laced his hazy features.
She blinked twice.
“You,” she said, followed by a burp. “Have a good night, Garin.”
The sun would rise soon, but a couple hours of sleep sounded better than nothing. She grabbed for the doorknob and pulled. It wouldn’t budge. Cursing under her breath, she tried again. This time her hand slipped, and she stumbled backward.
Garin shot an arm out to catch her.
“That was fast,” she observed as he righted her.
“No, you’re just moving slowly. You did finish off a rather large serving of a sipping drink in all of five seconds. Let me at least help you inside. Would that be all right?”
Lilac stiffened. Despite her musings, she’d had no real intention of letting him—or any stranger—into her room. Not only was it incredibly unsafe for a woman traveling alone, but there was no sense in allowing herself to become sidetracked.
Seeming to sense her hesitation, he let go. “I’m sorry if I’ve made you uncomfortable. Of all things, that certainly was not my intention.” Stars then danced in the twilight of his irises and suddenly, through the wine-induced haze, Lilac wasn’t so sure.
A curious feeling washed over her then. The longer she held his gaze, the lighter she felt, and the warmer her belly grew. The longer she looked, the softer his rough edges became. He was alluring, polite—kind of—and honest.
What else was there to question?
“Would you like to come in?” The words sounded foreign as they floated out of her mouth.
“I’d love to join you.” He gave her a knowing smile and leaned past her—he smelled strongly of all the lovely parts of the woods, Lilac noted—and pushed her door open.
Oh.
“After you, mademoiselle.”
Giggling to herself, Lilac stumbled in past him. The room was considerably dimmer than she’d last left it, so she made her way to the fireside to add more dry wood. She shuddered involuntarily, even near the growing flames. She spun when the door shut gently behind her.
Garin leaned against it with his arms crossed. Something about the way he studied her felt a bit intense.
“Should I leave?” he asked gently.
She could’ve imagined it, but his voice had grown even softer, more murmurous.
What she wanted, was exactly what she shouldn’t. She knew it plain and simple. But he was impossibly alluring. It was impossible to look away.
Lilac finally shook her head in response. The last of her guardedness melted away, or so she thought, until Garin made his way to the bed and patted the mattress beside him.
Through the haze, Lilac shakily obliged.
“I’ve never done this before,” she blurted, taking a seat beside him.