On the bed.
The white sash was tangled in the sheets, just one more rumpled stretch of cloth.
As his eyes went upward, he found two head indentations on a pair of pillo
ws that were close together. Clearly, the Chosen Layla had forgotten the tie to her robe when she'd left. Which could happen only if she'd been naked while she was here.
Blay put his hand to his heart once more, a sense of constriction making him feel as if he were underwater. . . with the surface of the ocean far, far above him.
The shower was cut off in the bathroom and a towel flapped around.
Blay walked passed the well-used bed and ducked out the door.
He was unaware of having made a conscious decision, but his feet had direction; that was obvious. Going down the hall, they stopped two rooms over and then his hand lifted of its own volition and knocked quietly. When a muffled answer sounded out, he opened the door. On the other side, the room was dark and it smelled divine. . . and as he stood in the light from the hall, his shadow reached the foot of the bed.
"Perfect timing, they just left. " Saxton's husky voice was a promise of things Blay wanted. "Have you come to see how I am?"
"Yes. "
There was a long pause. "Then shut the door, and I'll show you. "
Blay's hand tightened on the knob until his knuckles cracked.
And then he stepped inside and closed them both in. As he kicked off his shoes, he threw the lock.
For privacy.
Chapter Sixty-one
On the Far Side, Payne sat on the edge of the reflecting pool and stared down at her own face in the still water.
She recognized well the black hair and the diamond eyes and the strong features.
Was all too aware of who had sired and birthed her.
Could recite the days of her history thus far.
And yet, she felt as though she had not a clue as to who she truly was. In many ways, more than she took comfort in adding up, she was naught but this echo on the surface of the pool, an image that lacked depth and substance. . . and would leave nothing of permanence in her wake when she departed.
As Layla came up from behind her, she met the female's eyes in the mirror of the water.
Later, she would consider that Layla's smile was what changed everything. Even though of course, 'twas more than that. . . but her sister's radiant expression was what ultimately cast her upon the winds of change, the subtle push that had her tumbling off the cliff.
That smile was real.
"Greetings, my sister," Layla said. "I have been searching for you. "
"And alas you have found me. " Payne forced herself to turn about and stare up at the Chosen. "Please. Sit and join me. I infer from your good cheer that your time with the male continues apace. "
Layla lowered herself for but a moment, and then her kinetic joy had her up on her feet again. "Oh, yes, indeed. Indeed, yes. He is to call me anon this day and I shall go to him again. Oh, dearest sister, you cannot imagine. . . what it is like to be held within a circle of fire and yet emerge unscathed and o'erjoyed. 'Tis a miracle. A blessing. "
Payne turned back to the water and watched as her own brows tightened. "May I ask you something intrusive. "
"Of course, my sister. " Layla came over and settled once more on the pool's white marble edge. "Anything. "
"Are you thinking of mating him? Not just mating with him--but becoming his shellan?"
"Well, yes. Of course I am. But I am waiting to find the right time to broach it. "