Completion of the Whisper

Chapter Twenty-Two.

Slowly, I reached into the pockets of my pants and extracted the vials Srandi had given me. He glanced at them, recognizing the liquid, then he murmured "Tempting. And while I can't deny that I want you, I do not expect anything from this evening."
Taking a deep breath, I shrugged my shoulders and said "But I think it's always better to be safe than sorry."

Nyshard watched me for what felt like a long time, then, with a smirk, he gently extracted a vial off my hand and downed it.

And so, did I.

I followed him upstairs towards his chambers. He opened the door, but stepped aside to let me enter first. As soon as I glanced into the room, I stopped dead in my tracks.

"I didn't know you could be a romantic."

The room was dimly lit.

With candles.

Freaking candles. And on the table, there was a platter with what looked like vegetables, fruits, cheese and bread. Two smaller plates on each side of the table, a bottle of wine and two glasses.

And more candles.

"I don't know if I am a romantic, but I wanted to make it a bit special for you."

Nyshard stepped to the table, poured us some wine and I sipped at the rich liquid.

"You already did that with the cave on Raylahd", I murmured and glanced at him. Wild fire danced in his blue eyes, and when he stepped closer, he answered "Mhm, and I thought you liked it. Much..."
Smirking, I fully turned to him, put my free hand at his chest, right over where the rose was "Are you trying to woo me, Milord?"

"Does it work?"

With a slight frown, I glanced around the room, then without another look at him, I walked towards the bathroom door, opened it and said over my shoulder "We'll see."

A romantic.

Definitely.

Only more candles, but none of them seemed too... bright.

Slowly, I got closer to one, put the wine glass I still held in my hand onto the cabinet and glanced at the candle "They are magical", Nyshard's low voice from behind of me said. I hadn't heard him enter, but I was aware of his presence. His aura, which now seemed to shimmer around him. I sensed it.

"Yours?", I asked.

"Mhm."

"I didn't know you could do that", I remarked, my eyes still on the flames.

"I don't do it often, only if I want to woo someone."
"Does it work?", I bit my lip and let my eyes wander to the tub.

It was already filled with steamy, warm water.

Good thing his rooms were relatively cold due to the thick stone walls of the castle. We had summer.

"I hope so", I felt him at my back and gently, he put my hair over my shoulder and pressed a kiss onto my neck "You know... you'd have to undress if you want to get into that tub."

I nodded. "You, too."

"Do you want me to join you?"

I thought I heard a flicker of hope in his voice.

I nodded again.

Nyshard's hands moved to my waist, and I felt his fingers at the seam of my pants. "I could be a gentleman and avert my eyes."