What is he—
Oh.
He starts to remove his shirt. It’s the same standard-issue that I’ve seen on the few prisoners the guards have led past my cell: white and plain, woven into a fabric that looks like it might be warmer than my tank. Thicker than Posey’s flimsy uniform.
I know I should’ve grabbed my jacket. There wasn’t any time. The guards plucked me from the cell and brought me here with Dusk’s shouts still ringing in my ears. I’m probably torn to ribbons on my arms where the gloves ripped right through my skin, and my poor jacket is probably garbage by now.
“Take this. It might help.”
I don’t even give a shit that taking his shirt might put me into his debt. The white material floats in the darkness and I snatch it from him before shrugging it on.
It retains his heat and his scent and, holy shit, I just want to wrap myself up in it forever.
“You’re so warm,” I whisper, tugging that close.
“I’m a Light Fae,” he says, if that’s all the answer I need.
That’s right. He is a fae.
And now he’s a half-naked one.
The words are out before I can take them back. “The fire didn’t help with the cold, but I hate how dark it is down here. Do you think you could…”
I don’t even have to finish the request. With a pop, a small fireball appears a few inches above his palm. Not enough to frighten me again, but the right amount of light to shed some illumination on the oubliette—and the shirtless fae in here with me.
So, yeah. He’s definitely half-naked.
I need a distraction. That’s how I justify it to myself. I’m hurting, and I’m afraid, and the sculpted, tanned, bare chest in front of me is just what I need right now. Am I staring? Too bad. Drooling? I can’t help it.
It’s been so long. Things between Jim and me… he’s been more like my roommate than my boyfriend for a while now.
Even before I crossed into Faerie, I was touch-starved. Lonely. It’s only gotten worse since I landed in a world where a simple embrace would cost me everything.
Can it get any worse? After what happened with Dusk...
I can’t let that happen again. I won’t. Being at the mercy of one of the guards… no. I’d rather get it over with, get rid of the whole “untouched” stigma once and for all.
The more I think about, the more my plan seems perfect. Rys seems to have this hero complex going on; I’m a human and he wants to save me. Why don’t I let him?
“How are you now?”
“Better,” I admit. “But… you’re so warm. I can feel the heat seeping from your shirt. It won’t last on me. Unless…”
“What are you asking me?”
I shrug, trying not to come across as too desperate. There’s nothing sadder than throwing yourself at someone and having them reject you. It’s worth the risk right now, but I have to do this just right.
“I was wondering if we could share body heat. You know? I could cuddle up to you and then we can both be warm.”
Rys’s fire flickers out. The shadows fill the air around us.
Good going, Hel. Real smooth.
A second later, another pop. The fire is back, throwing shadows against Rys’s closed-off expression. “You want to touch me?”
“Is that a problem?”
“I’d have to touch you in return.”