to happen. All he felt was a warmth that spread down his chest, into his belly, then slowly out through each limb.
“Good.” She took the vial from his hands and slipped it back into her satchel. “We’ll give that a few minutes to work, then I have some food for you.”
At just the mention of food, his stomach growled.
She smiled. “I see my concoction is already working.”
It was working. The fogginess was already clearing from his head, and he felt suddenly stronger, more alert. He sat up against the wall, his gaze studying her closer as she reached in her bag again. A lock of hair fell across her cheek.
Something about her was familiar, but he was sure he’d never met her before. “You’re a nymph, yet you work for the satyrs?”
“I came across the satyrs by accident. Once they found out I was a healer, my choices were either to be thrown down here like you or cooperate. Ah, there it is.”
She pulled something wrapped in cloth from her satchel and handed it to him. Warmth met his palms, and the scent of fresh-baked bread hit his nostrils.
His stomach growled all over again as he sat forward, tore the wrapping free, then ripped off a chunk of bread and bit into it. He groaned at the sublime taste.
She chuckled. “My concoction is definitely working.”
He swallowed another bite. She didn’t interrupt him, just sat back on her heels and watched, handing him the canteen when he looked around for it.
The bread was the best thing he’d ever eaten, and by the time he finished, he was sure he could eat ten more loaves. But she didn’t pull anything else from her magick satchel, and he had a sudden thought that maybe instead of scarfing it down, he should have rationed it, in case it was all he was going to get.
She tipped her head as he leaned back against the wall. “You’re an Argonaut.”
He didn’t answer. Wasn’t sure he should. Instead, he lifted the canteen to his lips again and swallowed a mouthful of water.
“I’ve never met an Argonaut before.” Her hand drifted toward the markings on his forearm, then she hesitated with her fingers mere inches above his skin and flicked a look up to his eyes. “Do you mind?”
He still couldn’t pick up any signals from her, and he wasn’t sure how to read her strange question. But he could already feel the heat from her hand washing over his flesh, and for reasons he didn’t understand, he wanted her to touch him. Ached for it in a way he’d never ached for another’s touch. Ever. “I guess.”
Her palm and fingertips grazed the markings on his skin. Warmth and electricity immediately zinged up his arm and into his chest.
His gaze shot to hers. The lantern she’d lit was already dimming, but in her light blue eyes he saw sparks of excitement. Of heat. Of a hunger that couldn’t be sated by bread and water.
The same hunger suddenly consuming him.
She moved her hand up his arm, to his biceps, then across his shoulder where her palm finally stilled against his chest. His stomach tightened as she drew close. Closer than she’d been only moments ago. So close she straddled his lap and the warmth of her breath tickled his lips.
“What is your name?” she whispered as the light continued to fade.
“M-Maximus.” He lifted his hand and covered hers against his chest, no longer caring about food. Wanting only to taste her. Her skin was as soft as velvet, and her sexy jasmine scent—dear gods, it was making him high. “My name is Maximus.”
“Maximus.” Her gaze held his, hypnotizing him with the clear blue of her eyes. “That means greatest. Tell me, Maximus, are you the greatest?”
For her, he suddenly wanted to be. “I-I don’t know.”
“Tell you what.” A seductive smile curled her lips, and her gaze dropped to his mouth. “Since we’re trapped down here together for the time being, why don’t we find out?”
The lantern went out, dousing the room in darkness once more. But Max didn’t care. Because her lips were suddenly on his, her kiss giving him strength, giving him life, giving him a reason to fight. Telling him with one taste that being captured by these satyrs, being thrown in this cell had not been a matter of chance.
It was fate. His fate.
And she was the key to everything.
Chapter Eleven
Talisa didn’t remember bathing or dressing. She did both in record time. She didn’t even look