Nix stepped in so close to him that he could feel the heat of her body waft across his own. Her voice was low as she said, “You know as well as I that if your men found that again, they’d attempt to take me back.”
His jaw clenched and his eyes glowed for a fraction of an instant. Just enough to send a jolt of adrenaline coursing through her body. It shouldn’t make her feel breathless with anticipation at the thought that he might actually want her with him for more than her powers.
Ridiculous notion. But then, his kisses… She almost sighed. Those kisses had been wet, hot, and very real.
“Aye.” Grunting, he cleared his throat. “Yes.” He nodded. “But to not bring it isn’t an option.”
“Would it fit in your pocket?” she asked.
“It’s large.” He pulled it out from under his shirt.
Nixie curled her nose at the sight of her prison. Sunlight reflected off its bronzed surface, making it glint as he turned it to and fro. Pretty it might be, but to call it anything other than a jail would be a lie.
“But”—she wrapped her fingers around his—“it’s curved, so if you’re really smart, I’m sure you could figure out a way to slip it on in there.”
Was it her imagination that for just a moment his pupils had gone wide? Was it possible that she wasn’t the only one feeling this reckless, maddening desire?
Full lips curled into a broad smile. “You do love to tease me, pet.”
She snatched her hand back and took a giant step away from him, fluttering her fingers nervously along the thick folds of her gown.
It took Robin about five minutes to maneuver the lamp in such a way that the pocket could safely swallow it, and then he spread his arms wide. “Do you know, that in all the years I’ve owned this pocket, never once did it occur to me to actually slip something inside of it.”
He snort chuckled, which she found to be ridiculously endearing.
“Thank you for that, Nixie. Now”—his tone changed to one of brisk efficiency—“time to meet my men. Again.”
*
Nixie walked through the campsite with Robin just one step ahead of her.
“You need not be afraid, my pet,” he leaned in to whisper hotly in her ear, “they won’t recognize you.”
Stomach crowding with thousand of razor-tipped butterfly wings, she gave him a tight grimace. Heads poked out of their tent flaps, as if somehow a silent warning had spread through the camp that now there was a lady in their midst.
Nixie grabbed hold of her stomach, grateful that Robin had bought her the gown. Because even dressed as she was, with not an inch of her skin on display except for her hands and face, she felt almost like she walked naked amongst them.
Mouths hung open, the heated press of eyes roved the length of her body, making her flesh tingle uncomfortably. Robin had warned her that women generally didn’t come into their camp, and that many of the men had been long without the comfort of a woman’s arms, but still…this was ridiculous.
They might not recognize her, but they were certainly staring. The camp that from a distance had stirred with raucous laughter and the clang of steel as men practiced their sword-fighting had suddenly stilled. To the point that only the scuffle of their feet was the only sound she now heard.
It wasn’t like she hadn’t expected the large group of men; she was familiar enough with Robin Hood’s story. But expecting it and having it materialize were two very different things.
Young boys, men, the elderly, they were all there. Gazing upon her and Robin with questions glittering in their eyes. While the older men stayed silent, the younger ones had no such qualms.
“Robin.” A band of about eight young boys who looked to be between the ages of nine and twelve came rushing up to him. “Who is she, Robin?” asked a freckle-faced, ginger-headed boy with intelligent warm brown eyes.
Clearly the leader of the group of boys, he stood at the front, asking the question she knew was on all their minds.
Mouth grown dry, she turned to Robin. Not sure whether she should speak up, what story she should tell. She felt kind of silly now claiming to be Maid Marian. What if Danika was wrong? What if there actually was a Maid Marian roaming through Kingdom and one of them men knew who she was, and…and…
She was panicking.
Realizing that, Nixie forced herself to take a deep breath. Robin hadn’t known of a Marian; if he didn’t, then why should anyone else?
“This,” Robin said with a broad smile, placing his palm on the lower edge of her spine, “is the fair Maid Marian.”
Nixie experienced a cheap thrill of heat down her spine at the sound of it. To hear him use it for the first time around his Merry Men made it real in a way it hadn’t been before.
The ginger-haired boy stepped forward and grabbed hold of her hand. His small, soft fingers exploring her own.
“Soft skin,” he said, then quickly yanked her wrist to his nose and inhaled.
Shocked, Nixie almost yanked her hand out of his, but instead tossed Robin a curious frown.