He was handsome, but his good looks seemed…otherworldly. Even when a passing cloud shrouded him in shadow, his body appeared to glow. Not like a neon sign or anything like that; it wasn’t noticeable unless you were really paying attention, but there was a faint shimmer to him, as if he were in a constant spotlight.
I lifted my head to start drawing his picture, only to find him watching me with cool green eyes.
“It is time to go, Lily,” he announced.
“Go where?” I asked.
Squaring his impressive shoulders, he straightened to his full height and looked at the surrounding buildings. He studied both sides of the street as if assessing our options. “I do not know. I have never seen monuments of this size before.” Cocking his head, he queried, “What is the distance to Thebes?”
“Thebes?” I snickered softly. “Uh, let’s just say it’s a little farther than I would want to walk in these shoes.” I clapped both hands over my mouth, utterly shocked that I’d said exactly what I’d been thinking. Snarky, acerbic comments were definitely not mother-approved, and I’d worked hard over the years to develop the habit of waiting an extra moment before responding.
I’d long ago learned that my natural response to most situations was humor in one form or another, and there was no place in my parents’ circles for a quick-witted daughter.
Oblivious to my thoughts, he glanced down at my shoes, frowning. “Very well. We shall find another means of transportation.”
Leaving the wall, he approached me with catlike grace, hand stretched out. I jerked my head away and he appeared hurt by my action.
“Remain still,” he said softly, stroking my cheek lightly. His fingertips felt like they were filled with liquid sunshine, and at his touch, heat seemed to seep into my cheekbones. I got the distinct impression he was assessing my body, and not in a boy-checking-out-girl way.
“You are weakened,” he said finally. “The accident has diminished our strength. We both need sustenance.”
“There’s that word again.”
Cocking his head, he asked, “Is there a different word you would prefer?”
“No, it’s fine, as long as I’m not the one on your menu,” I quipped uncertainly.
“I do not consume human flesh. Is this practice common in your city?”
“Uh, no.”
He looked relieved. “That is good. I would rather starve on my sojourn.”
“Well, at least I can cross ‘cannibal’ off the list. I was worried you were going to slice me up into little pieces and pull out your sauté pan.” His brows lowered in concentration and then lifted as his mouth curved up into a genuine smile. His expression was so bright and full of delight that I found myself wanting to bask in the display. It was as if he’d been covered by storm clouds, but in that brief moment the sun peeked through, warming me in a way that made me want to see him smile all over again.
I’d been very wrong in my initial assessment of him. He wasn’t a cover model, a lunatic, an axe murderer, or any of the other labels I’d tried to make fit. The power that settled on his shoulders didn’t come from money or good looks, though it was obvious he had at least one of those. No, this guy’s confidence wasn’t based on a superiority complex. It wasn’t superficial.
“Perhaps later,” he said with a twitch of his lips. “Tell me, what harvests are gathered in this iron city? I do not see farms, but I smell food everywhere.”
Harvests?
Taking hold of my hands and pulling me up from the bench, he asked, “Will you help me find it, Lily?”