Lane shut the door, her face burning. Why hadn’t she knocked? If Damien had opened the door on her while she was getting ready she would still be screaming at him.

She sat on the edge of the bed and tried to slow her racing heart. When she closed her eyes she could still see the scars on his back. If that was the result of his warlord training someone needed to do something about it. It wasn’t human to do that to a boy.

He wasn’t a boy anymore though. She tried not to smile when she thought of the hard muscle under his scars. Her face burned hotter.

Stop thinking about him!

Damien was a sorcerer and she hated sorcerers. He was her bodyguard, a killer assigned to keep her safe. Nothing more. She’d treated him badly and he probably disliked her anyway. He’d certainly been annoyed when she walked in on him.

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Following his example she stripped and poured a basin of water. The water cooled her down and she sighed. What was wrong with her, anyway? They’d traveled together for two and a half months and she’d felt nothing but annoyance at having him tag along. Though he had come in handy at that grubby inn and later with the thugs, Lane could admit that.

And that story about his father! Lane shuddered to think anyone could treat their child so callously. If nothing else her mother had always loved her and showed her nothing but kindness. Maybe she felt some disappointment that Lane wouldn’t follow in her footsteps, but that never got in the way.

Lane had always been bitter about what she considered a miserable childhood. Now that she’d met someone that had an actual, horrific upbringing, Lane felt like a spoiled brat. She glanced at the door, half afraid she’d find him standing there watching her bathe and half hoping he would be.

Lane sighed and dried off. Another day or two more and this business would be settled and they’d part ways. Of course, Damien worked for her mother so she’d probably see more of him.

She dug a specially wrapped parcel out of her pack and found the seal intact. Good, no dust had slipped inside. Lane unwrapped the blue-and-silver gown and smiled.

What would he think of her in this?