ECLIPSED

CHAPTER 28

The door to their room creaked open, and Lea stepped inside, only to freeze in place. Her eyes scanned the lavish space a beautifully furnished suite with a lounge area, a private bath, and ornate draperies but there was one glaring problem, only one bed.

She felt her heart thud in her chest. "You've got to be kidding," she whispered to herself, her eyes wide as she turned toward Azrath, who stood silently behind her, his gaze heavy with amusement.

"There's only one bed," Lea muttered aloud, almost as if saying it would magically make a second one appear. Azrath quirked a brow, a flicker of amusement passing over his face.

"I can take the sofa," Lea blurted, her words rushed as she strode toward it, eager to put some space between them.

Azrath's lips curled into a slow, mischievous smirk. "Are you sure?" His voice was smooth, laced with teasing. "Your back might hurt sleeping on that."

Lea shot him a quick glare, already feeling the heat creeping up her neck. "I'm fine," she insisted, setting her jaw and making a show of fluffing the sofa pillows, avoiding his gaze.

"We could always share the bed," Azrath suggested, his tone casual but deliberately provocative. He leaned slightly against the wall, folding his arms across his chest. "It is big enough for the both of us."

Lea's heart practically leaped into her throat. "No!" she sputtered, turning away sharply, pretending to busy herself with arranging cushions. Her face burned, and she hated how easily he got under her skin.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Azrath smirking, clearly enjoying the effect his words had on her. "As you wish," he murmured with a slight chuckle, then walked toward the balcony, leaving Lea to wrestle with her own thoughts.

She buried her face in her hands. What was wrong with her? He was just an elf, arrogant and aloof yet here she was, blushing like a fool because of a stupid bed. They were technically married, after all. But still

Lea took a deep breath and forced herself to focus on the room around her. The furnishings were lovely, not as intricate as the craftsmanship back in Eldarheime, but elegant nonetheless. She wandered toward the far corner, discovering a bath area hidden behind a wooden screen, a private oasis she was already planning to take advantage of.

When Azrath returned from the balcony, his expression had shifted to something more serious, though there was still a glimmer of amusement in his silver eyes. "Everything looks secure," he said, brushing past her as he shut the door behind him. "No sign of anything unusual."

Lea fidgeted under his gaze, struggling not to let her nerves show. His presence felt overwhelming in the quiet room too close, too much. She tried to keep her composure, but it was hard to ignore the way his gaze lingered just a second longer than necessary.

Azrath's eyes flicked toward the sofa where she intended to sleep, and then back to her. His smirk returned.

"I'm fine!" Lea snapped, though her voice wavered. Her face felt like it was on fire.

Azrath stepped toward her slowly, almost lazily, as if testing just how far he could push her. Lea backed up instinctively, her heart racing. Before she realized it, her back hit the wall.

She swallowed hard as Azrath loomed in front of her, his silver gaze locked onto hers. They were close too close and every breath she took seemed to draw in the faint scent of him, wood smoke and pine.

"We are married, after all," he murmured softly, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down her spine. "So it wouldn't be... improper."

Lea's brain short-circuited. She opened her mouth to respond, but the words tangled in her throat. "I... um... that's..." she stammered, her thoughts a jumbled mess.

Azrath's smirk deepened, clearly pleased by how flustered she was. His hand came up, just brushing the edge of her shawl, as if daring her to stop him. Lea stood frozen, every nerve in her body buzzing.

But then, just when she thought the tension would snap, Azrath turned the door handle beside her.

"Enjoy the bath," he said smoothly, his voice low and wicked. And with that, he slipped into the bathroom, leaving her standing there, red-faced and breathless.

Lea stared at the door, her heart pounding so loudly she was sure he could hear it on the other side. What the hell just happened?

She let out a shaky breath, pressing her hands to her burning cheeks. This man was going to drive her insane