A Love From A Different World

Chapter 60

They were given a suite of connecting rooms, all centered on a large, lavish lounge that was open to the sea and city below. Aelin's bedroom was appointed in seafoam and softest blue with pops of gold—like the gilded clamshell atop her pale wood dresser. She hummed her approval and had just set it down when the white door behind her clicked open and Rhys slid in.

He leaned against the door once he shut it, the top of his black tunic unbuttoned to reveal the upper whorls of the tattoo spanning his chest. "The problem, I've realized, will be that I like Tarquin," he said by way of greeting, and she wondered if that was true. "I even like Cresseida. Varian, I could live without, but I bet a few weeks with Cassian and Azriel, and he'd be thick as thieves with them and I'd have to learn to like him. Or he'd be wrapped around Amren's finger, and I'd have to leave him alone entirely or risk her wrath."

"And?" Aelin asked, wondering what he was even telling her this at all as she lay on the bed.

"And," Rhys said, "I want you to find a way to do what you have to do without making enemies of them."

"Is this your way of telling me to be careful?"

A nod. Then, "Do you like that Tarquin can't stop looking at you?"

"Most people can't restrain themselves from blatantly gawking at my sheer beauty," Throwing a lock of her golden hair behind her shoulder she said, "I don't see why you'd expect Tarquin to be any different,"

When he didn't answer she continued.

"You brought me here to keep the pretty little High Lord distracted while Amren steals the book."

"And?"

"And," She drawled, staring at him from under her lashes, "here you are asking me if I enjoy Tarquin looking at me like he wanted to fuck me against the wall." Much like how you stare at me too, she stopped herself from adding.

She watched as he swallowed as if he was thinking the very same thing, as if he was stopping himself from acting on those thoughts too. "You have one job here, Celeana, do it. And don't get caught."

So they wouldn't talk about it then, the way he looked at her. The desire that swam in his eyes nearly every time he glanced her way. Very well then. Two could play that game.

"How far do you expect me to go?"

"As far as you need for it to be convincing."

Locking eyes with him she asked, "If I fucked him for it, what would you do?"

His pupils flared, and his gaze dropped to her mouth. The wood dresser groaned beneath his hands. "You say such atrocious things." She waited. He, at last, met her eyes again. "You are always free to do what you want, with whomever you want. So if you want to ride him, go ahead."

"Then I think I might," Perhaps she would indeed. Aelin just wasn't sure if it was because she genuinely wanted to or just to spite Rhysand. Maybe both.

"Do not," he said softly, his eyes like stars, "jeopardize this mission."

"I know the cost." She did, almost too much. Aelin was counting on their little theft on working so that she could steal it for herself. There was too much on the line for it to go wrong.

There was silence between them for a moment before the princess decided to break it.

"Aren't we going to talk?"

"About?" There was hesitation in his voice, probably debating if it was the unspoken desire they both felt or something else.

She answered that thought when she said, "About the fact that I am looking into opening a portal,"

The violet in his eyes became brighter and it took Aelin too much willpower to not get sucked into them. "Why are you trying to open up a portal?"

"I can't tell you," Again, he swallowed, probably another question that he knew she wouldn't answer. Maybe that was why they hadn't yet had this conversation; because he knew she wouldn't say much. "What I can tell you is that I wish you no harm."

"That is not very helpful."

"It's the best I can do." How dangerous this game had become, seeing how far she could push him, how much he would tolerate. "You haven't told the others." It was not a question for she knew he hadn't. Because if he had she doubted she'd still be living with them.

"No, it would not change anything" He replied, a complex look taking over his face. Despite her best efforts, Aelin could not read him. "We made a bargain after all,"

There it was. The excuse he would use to cover up the fact that he could not let her go.

Before she could reply or think more on it, he was already out the door.