“Hey!” He scooped more water and tossed it into my face.
I coughed and wiped it away, my grin turning into an evil smirk. “You realize that this can only go one way. I’m already wet. You’re the one in danger here.” I brought my arms back, attacking with all the water I could, sending arc after arc of water into his face.
“Fine, I concede. You win. But when you’re done. We need to talk.” Kash’s warm eyes pleaded with mine. He leaned forward, shaking the water from his hair, before leaving me alone.
Once dressed in the extra gown Kash left for me, I tended the food on the fire. My hair was still damp, and it created a long, wet ‘V’ down the back of the dress. Using the same water, I did the best I could to clean out my old clothes and hung them to dry by the fireplace.
A knock came at the kitchen, and I called out for Kash to enter.
“Come—” I barely got the word out when Kash rushed in, heading right for the fireplace.
“It’s not burned.”
I pointed to the rabbits I had placed on a large serving platter. “No, they’re not.”
He sighed in relief. “Good.”
I gave him a pointed look. “You expected me to let them burn, didn’t you?”
“I didn’t know what to expect, truthfully. You keep surprising me.” Kash leaned over the long wooden table and pulled at the rabbit leg, and it separated easily.
Sitting on a stool close to the kitchen fire, I ran my fingers through my wet hair and tried to untangle the knots while letting it dry.
Kash stopped chewing as he focused on my long hair. “It’s like molten gold.”
Holding up a honey brown strand, I examined it. “In this light it is.”
He swallowed. “So beautiful.” I wasn’t sure if he was referring to me or my hair.
I paused in my detangling, and our eyes met over the table. It was such a unique, and at the same time, homey scene. We were odd partners, forced to survive in each other’s space. At times he was abrasive, other times quite charming, but he was still a stranger in my home. I was the trained sorceress, and yet he was the more dangerous of us because he could disarm me with a smile.
I grew uncomfortable again at how easy it was to let my guard down, and I knew I mustn’t. Clenching my jaw, I broke eye contact first, which felt like a slap. Turning my gaze onto the fire, I winced as I pulled a little too hard on my hair as I attacked a snarl.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“Go ahead,” I said coldly. “Ask your questions. Just know that I’ll only answer if I feel like it.”
Kash took a deep breath and looked around the room. He was thinking of a question and then his expression changed.
“How long have you been able to—” He gestured to my hands.
“Since I was five. My mother tested each of us to see if we had an affinity for magic. My sisters have a natural talent. Mine was slow to reveal itself. I had to rely on charms and books and learn the hard way. But it wasn’t until recently that I’ve had success with basic spells.”
“Can you break a curse?” His golden eyes met mine, revealing a deep sadness within. One that he hid behind his smooth words and jovial demeanor.
“Breaking a curse is hard. There’s almost always a counter, or requirement to break it. That or you need the original castor to release the curse. Is the castor still alive?”
Kash sadly shook his head.
“Oh. What kind of curse are we talking about?”
“I don’t know. It seems to get stronger, not weakening at all as time goes by.”
“Would you be willing to go into detail?” I prodded.
Kash looked down at the table. His fist clenched, and he sighed. “I will not burden you with the details, for there is very little hope.”
The deep mourning sadness in his voice made me reach out to comfort him. I touched his fist, and he looked up in surprise. His tightened fist loosened, and I held his hand in mine.
“I promise that if you tell me, I will do everything within my power to help you.”
Kash looked down at our hands. He moved his fingers until they were interlocked with mine. His thumb brushed the back of my hand and he smiled wearily. “If only it were that easy.”
“It can be, if you trust me enough,” I said gently.
Kash’s voice deepened, and he shook his head. “If you knew my secrets, you would hate me, and I can’t bear for you to hate me.”
Kash rose to move away, but I tightened my grip on his hand, refusing to release him. “We all have a past that we’re ashamed of.”
“Yes, but I can never outrun mine, no matter how hard I try.” Kash carefully removed his fingers from mine. “You can’t help me.”
My confidence took a shot with his last statement. What was I doing here? Even Kash didn’t take me seriously or believe in me. I wasn’t a hero, or a savior, or even a good sorceress. I slumped forward, pressing my hands to my face, instantly feeling defeated.
A heavy warmth covered me, and I looked to see Kash kneeling before me, his hand on my head. “Hey, it’s okay. My problems are my own.” His hand dropped to my shoulder, and his fingers brushed against my neck.
I inhaled at his touch; my breath caught in my throat again at how close he was to me. I blushed, knowing he could probably hear me holding it.
“We really need to work on that,” he whispered.
“On what?” I asked.
“On your attraction to me.” The corner of his mouth lifted, revealing his dimple.
“I’m not attracted to you,” I rushed out.
I couldn’t think as he leaned closer, his eyes lowering to my lips. I wasn’t breathing now, and I became lightheaded.
I blinked and looked away, unsure of what to say or do.
“Rhea, look at me,” Kash pleaded.
My eyes locked onto his lips first, and I definitely wanted to press mine to his. It was harder than I thought to meet his warm eyes, and I was instantly lost. I could feel myself slipping, losing control, my mind racing and trying to think of something witty to say. But scared I’d mess it up, I just kept silent.
“It’s okay, because I’m struggling too.” His hand slowly cupped my neck, his thumb stroking my cheek. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, and I felt like I would pass out.
“With what?” I asked, feeling unsteady.
“With not kissing you right this moment.”
My lips parted, and I released the slightest gasp.
“Screw it. I’m cursed anyway. You can hate me later,” he whispered before his lips brushed against mine in the softest of touches. I held my breath for the millionth time.
“Breathe,” Kash whispered, coaching me.
With his permission, I exhaled and smiled. He pulled back just enough, and I could see his eyes twinkling with mischief. This time it was I who leaned forward, initiating the kiss, taking him by surprise. The kiss started slowly, but it flamed the slow-burning coal in my heart, and it lit, burning with the desire of a thousand furnaces.
When he pulled back, we were both out of breath. Kash brushed his thumb across my swollen lips.
“I underestimated you, Rhea,” he groaned, pressing his forehead to mine. “You really are dangerous.”
He stood, pulling me up with him, our hands still clasped together. We headed out into the main hall.