Nox had heard Rayne tiptoe down the stairs, and he’d cracked an eye open to watch her round the corner. After some quiet shuffling in the kitchen, she’d returned to the corner lined with books, holding a mug the size of her face. Like a languid cat, she’d climbed into a nook and curled up to read on her device.

It was tranquil, and Nox didn’t want to interrupt Rayne’s morning’s peace. Soon they would start training for the mission ahead, and nothing would stop the momentum from there.

Besides, the smell of a beautiful woman making tea in the morning was nice to wake up to. No matter how much the three abrupt seconds of honeysuckle had puzzled Nox.

Somehow, Rayne finished the fishbowl full of tea and looked in his direction again. He wondered what she was thinking and found the unknown enticing. Nox’s skin couldn’t stand clothing while he’d tried to sleep, and at first, he’d mistaken Rayne’s glances as discomfort. Until the curious look on her face bloomed into a sweet smile. At Nox.

Partly out of his own curiosity and partly for his amusement, Nox stirred on the couch—

Rayne bolted up the stairs like a skittish kitten caught in the creamery, and Nox fought not to chuckle. Upstairs, he heard her busying herself while he went through his provisions for Vittle bars. Foul things, but they abated his hunger. To say his appetite had accelerated since his resurrection was an understatement. In his body before, Nox could survive on one feeding every year. Now, he craved sustenance several times a day. The supplements kept it at bay for twenty-four hours at a time, and at this rate, he’d need to buy more.

Rayne asked from above, “Do you want me to knock before I come downstairs, or…?”

Her consideration brought a smile to Nox’s lips as he assured, “No need. We will become quite acquainted the longer we stay here, and it’s not as if you don’t already know my darkest secrets.”

Nox knew Rayne meant more for the sake of decency and modesty, but he enjoyed the way she squirmed to say, “I meant for dressing and getting ready in the morning.”

“Come whenever you like.”

That was not an occasion when Nox wanted to retract his words. He enjoyed the blush on Rayne’s cheeks too much to recant it. Perhaps he was still a bastard after all, but some light teasing and flirting between two people as close as they shouldn’t harm their comfortable relationship—

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“Well, then you can come upstairs whenever you like.”

Interesting.

Not only was their heart racing, but there was a challenge to the set of Rayne’s shoulders as she made her declaration—Drew her line in the sand, so to speak. And not for the first time, Nox wasn’t sure what to do about it.

So, he got up and stretched, half-naked. When he glanced back upstairs, Rayne was gone from the banister. She called from further upstairs, “Did you see what the sleh oil did to my hair? I love it, of course. Thanks again…”

Nox heard Rayne’s words, but he focused on the tremor in her voice. It was all he could do not to comment on their quickening pulse. It was unkind to tease her, and that’s not the man Nox wanted to be. Not anymore.

As a peace offering, he said, “I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s beautiful.” He could still pay Rayne compliments while he dressed.

A flutter thrilled through Nox’s head—his heart.

Rayne.

Something had occurred between their conversation last night and when Nox had awakened this morning. A paradigm had shifted in her. Whatever had taken place, Nox wanted to reclaim their comfortable rapport. Flustered-Rayne was cute—more like incredibly sexy and tempting—but it wouldn’t help their dynamic for them to frustrate each other.

Staring at the loft, Nox said, “I apologize.”

Rayne reappeared at the banister, looking intrigued. “Hm?”

Frustrated, Nox ran a hand through his hair as he said, “I should be more careful with my feelings for you, and I shouldn’t antagonize you. This living situation may take some adjustment for both of us. I’ll keep my peace.”

Without realizing what she was doing, Rayne glided down the stairs, displaying every inch of her toned, bare legs exposed by those little shorts. All the while, she said, “I appreciate how considerate you’re being, but I’m a big girl. A little elevated heart rate won’t kill me. Hell, it might do me some good to feel… to feel. I think you’re good for me, former King of Cinder.” Rayne stopped at the bottom of the stairs and folded her arms across her sports bra, ready for a workout.

Despite himself, Nox smirked. “Is this a gauntlet you truly wish to throw down?”

Rayne strode across the room until she stared up at him, inches from touching. With a defiant gleam in her eyes, she said, “I think I’ve already proven more than a match for you.”

Never had Nox felt his heart pounding this hard—Blood raced through his veins all in a southernly direction as he looked into Rayne’s eyes and fought not to kiss her. To take her.

The honeysuckle alone drove Nox insane with desire—

But this was a game. With all the composure he could muster, Nox accepted her challenge. “Meet you outside, your majesty.”

Nox ignored the stabbing pain in his heart—because that was it. That was an opportunity spurned. Oh, he would meet Rayne on this battlefield.

Nox only hoped he didn’t lose her in the process.

May the best warrior win.