The Hidden Crystal

Chapter 53

Hinges creaked.

Char sat up, alert and annoyed at having his sleep interrupted. All the aches and pains from destroying the tower until now had returned to remind him his body had its limits, and the darkened ceiling moss told him it was night above ground, too. He was dead tired, and he wasn't in the best of moods as he scanned the room for movement.

He also wasn't sure which door had opened.

If it was only Rath getting a midnight snack, he decided he'd punch his brother and go back to sleep.

He waited, listening, and then he heard light footsteps padding down the hallway, and his heart leaped into his throat. That wasn't Rath's stride.

"Iris," he called in a soft voice, already on his feet and moving to meet her. Several fairies trailed behind her, silhouetting her in a soft golden light.

"Char? Oh—"

His tight embrace startled a gasp out of her. He felt it, and he felt her frame through the fuzzy bathrobe she wore, and he felt her thick hair brushed his arms, and a wave of relief washed over him.

"Char, you're... Um..."

Wearing a towel, he realized. He was just wearing a towel, and although it had somehow held its position while he slept, it was still just a towel, and she was still pushing him away. He liked the sensation of her hands on his bare chest, though. He liked the adorable blush coloring her cheeks as she averted her eyes.

"Sorry," he said, grinning from ear to ear. "Had to wash my clothes. I'll get dressed and be right back." He tilted her chin up and stole a quick kiss. "So don't go anywhere."

"I—Char..."

She was so cute when she was embarrassed like this.

He released her and headed down the hall toward Rath's room, glancing back at her when he reached the door. She was looking at him. Her flush flared brighter as she spun away, and he smirked and let himself into the darkened room.

Now he could tell Rath she'd seen him shirtless—and she'd liked it.

Not that Char had any doubts on that front. One girl had stolen his shirt at that party when he'd taken it off. She wouldn't give it back unless he took her home. Too much alcohol, probably a stupid dare from Rath, and a night full of regrets.

He felt like punching Rath again, but this time, the urge was good-natured instead of irritated. Char couldn't be too mad when Iris was finally awake.

So he left the immobile lump in the bed alone, and he pulled on the damp clothes the fairies had draped over the edge of the tub without feeling the chill, and then he returned to the hallway.

Iris was still standing where he'd left her in the living room. He let his eyes wander down the cascade of her thick, chestnut brown hair to the cinch of the robe's belt around her waist, then to her hips, and further down, where the fuzzy bathrobe ended and her bare legs began. The robe was probably full length on a dwarf, but it stopped mid-thigh on her. And she had great legs.

Then his eyes reached her feet, shifting back and forth on the stone floor, and he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. She was nervous. She'd just woken up from fighting Micah and destroying the crystal. She didn't know where she was, and now was not the time for amorous thoughts.

"It's okay for you to sit down," he said, coming up beside her.

She jumped and looked up at him, eyes wide. Her gaze dropped to his chest and then skidded away, her cheeks flushing bright red, and all the good intentions in the world couldn't keep him from sliding an arm around her waist and pulling her close. One little kiss wouldn't hurt anything.