When we resumed sparring, I was the one on the offensive. No more talk. He still knocked me on my ass, but I got in a few more licks. I heard clapping and looked up to see Jace standing by the door.

“What,” I grumbled.

Marin spun.

Jace chose his words. “You were moving awful fast.”

Marin dismissed this. “I am always fast.”

“Not that fast.”

Marin and I looked at each other. Both of us were sweaty and breathing hard.

Jace left and went back to his guard position. I still didn’t know where the guards were hiding. I trudged back up to my room; Marin followed me. I turned. “I don’t suppose there’s someplace to get a bath.”

Marin grinned. “Sounds good. I will show you where we can bathe.”

Wait. Finn told me bathing was communal. I thought that was optional. My thoughts must have shown on my face. Marin grinned even wider, laughing under his breath. So glad I could amuse him.

“In the back of the gardens, there is a waterfall that leads to a pond, then out into the lake through some underground waterways. It is private and in the enclosed garden. You can take a bath there.”

Hmm, how to ask if he was joining me without it sounding like an invitation.

“Grab your clothes. I had the guards bring your stuff here. I will show you the way. I also have to tell you about the meeting.”

Oh right, the meeting. I grabbed a dress and met him back at his door. He escorted me downstairs and led the way to the gardens.

I hadn’t realized how big the gardens were when I’d been outside this morning, but they were massive. They spread out as far as I could see. The flora stunned me yet again as I walked among the blooms. One of those weird butterflies flitted by, and I couldn’t help shooting a glance at Marin after it passed.

“These gardens were my mother’s pride and joy. She spent most of her days here. She could make anything bloom.”

“Who maintains it, you?”

He laughed. “No, we have people, and Zanth. He takes after my mother in that way.”

Gardening. I’d never have attributed that particular skill to Zanth.

We arrived at the pond. There was a small waterfall, as Marin said, that emptied onto some rocks near the back, the spray forming a light mist. Large, mossy boulders made from that same rock from the quarry, and vines surrounded the pool. A thick bush that looked like a dahlia dropped petals into the water, and they drifted in little eddies and ripples in the pool.

“Like I said, this pond is connected to the lake, but it should be warm.” Marin stripped off his shirt and shucked his trousers. Naked, he stood at the edge of the pool. He placed his hands on his hips, facing me.

He was tall, a head taller than I was, and covered in more muscle than I expected. Marin had no tan, and his marks formed a vivid contrast. On his left shoulder, a scrollwork of gray lines led down to a single thorn. On his right, he had waves of wheat with drops of dew streaming down, and flowers. His abs were taut and ripped. He had a dusting of hair that formed a vee leading to his…Whoa. Marin appeared to enjoy me looking at him. Eyes up, hussy.

“Coming in?” he asked, his voice husky. Marin backed into the water to mid-thigh, where he stopped and sank down to watch me. I never could resist a challenge. I stepped out of my pants, and then pulled my shirt off in one swift motion. He growled in appreciation. I streaked to the pond.

The water was as chilly as the air. Even though the pond was big enough for both of us, Marin stayed close. I swam toward the waterfall. It wasn’t deep, maybe six to eight feet. I still couldn’t touch the bottom and had to doggy paddle. Marin followed me out and we bobbed in the middle for a few minute, then Marin towed me behind the fall.

“Tell me what happened at the meeting.”

“The killer was in the town this morning. Two guards came upon him, but he shot at them and got away. No one was injured. Since then, he has been spotted several times. Everyone thinks you have left, or are hiding from him. I have some of my guards pretending to look for you.”

“Wait, what?”

“We talked about this, remember? It was the only way. You had to ‘run away.’ I had to send guards after you or people would wonder. It has worked. He is looking around outside town. It decreases the risk for everyone. I have implied that I think you are associated with the killer.”

“Wait, what?” I echoed and shoved him away, pushing my hair out of my face.

His words measured, he said, “That way, people do not think I would help you. They will not look for you here. The guards who know are sworn not to speak of it, as are Finn, Ute, and Torrin. I trust them. You will be safe.”

“People will hate me.” I dunked my head under the water. Nausea churned in my gut. From the start, the Fost had been, if not outright hostile, then not hospitable. What would it be like now?

Marin swam closer. “I will make this right, I promise you. This is only for now.” He watched me as I turned away.

With a sigh, he grabbed something from the edge of the pool and threw me it at me. I fumbled and then recovered. Soap. I kicked back toward the beach. The soap was rough but formed a nice lather on my skin and smelled kind of like almonds. I washed my hair two, three times. It felt good to wash. I started scrubbing my body and face. Marin didn’t even bother to pretend he wasn’t watching me bathe. I raised an eyebrow and handed him the soap. He stood up at the edge of the pool and washed. I did not look this time. As I went to get out, I realized I didn’t have a towel. Marin hadn’t taken his eyes off me. Seeing me look around, he pointed to his stuff.

“Towels.” Marin continued to wash, his hands drifting down along his thighs. Whoa. Running, I wrapped myself up and turned around. His eyes had zeroed in on my ass. “What is the mark on your back?”

“I don’t know.”

He watched me pick up my dress.

“It looks like wings.”

“Really?” I twirled like a dog chasing its own tail trying to see, then realized, duh, towel. I slipped the dress on and pulled out the towel.

Marin’s lips tilted down. “Get dressed for dinner. I had the cook make something special. I know you have not seen much of the town. I wanted to give you something nice since you are stuck here.”

“I have to dress for dinner?”

“Yes, I was hoping you would.”

“Why?”

“So we can talk.”

“Have we not been talking before this?”

“Just get dressed! I had a dress made for you. It should be on your bed.”

I shrugged my shoulders and hurried back to my room as he intoned, “I will be waiting for you.”

That last came out with all kind of salacious undertones. Dinner wasn’t a good idea. But there was no way to avoid it without hurt feelings. I missed Finn. Finn flirted while Marin seduced.

I knew Marin had an agenda regarding me, but if what he said was true, there was definitely a lot Finn and I needed to straighten out if this were to go anywhere. I didn’t share, and I wouldn’t be a mistress, if they even had those here. The Fost were pragmatic in their dealings with each other. I couldn’t be like that, too much the Catholic schoolgirl my mommy raised me to be. Marin implied he agreed with me regarding relationships. I’d have to wait and see.

When I got back to my room, I saw the dress laid out on the bed. Some bottles lay next to it, and a brush. I towel-dried and brushed out my hair as I pondered the dress. It was a dark salmon color, with a square collar. I put it on and looked down. The material moved like silk and had a faint shine to it, with slits up both sides. I twirled a little, thrilled at how it floated around me. No mirrors to primp in front of.

I examined the bottles. The first was some kind of lotion, which smelled of apples like the peach-colored rose earlier. I applied that liberally. The other was some kind of perfume. I had never been one for perfume, too cloying. The lotion was enough.

I sat there for a few minutes then proceeded to the dining room. Marin sat alone when I wandered in. He stood when I entered, his chair scraping back, his palms sliding along his thighs. He was wearing a bronze shirt in a similar material to my dress that brought out the tiny gold flecks in his eyes, and black leather pants. His hair was slicked back. He looked good enough to eat. Marin’s slack expression was very gratifying.

He walked around the table and spread my arms. “You look beautiful.”

I blushed. He tugged on my hands and escorted me to the table.

“Any more news?” I asked.

“No,” he said as he sat next to me, not across. It must be a Fost thing. Marin took possession of my right hand.

He motioned in front of us. A white tablecloth covered the table, candles rested at both ends, and an enormous vase of flowers from the garden sat in the middle, a proliferation of green spiky leaves and the peach flower. Food covered the table. They’d set out a roast, tubers, and a green leafy vegetable.

“What was it like growing up here?”

“From the day I was born, my father expected me to be clan chief. He didn’t encourage friends. ‘You cannot be friends and lead,’ he would say. I studied history and followed him around dealing with the issues of the Fost, until I one day led them.”

“Sounds lonely.”

“More isolated. But I had Zanth. They had no expectations of him, and he ran wild. My father was quite hard on him, but Zanth did not care. He was our mother’s favorite. There was one time when Zanth decided he needed to be a grand explorer. He went outside the town to camp, and he was only seven or so. My dad had guards follow him but told them not to intervene. ‘Teach him a lesson,’ he said.”

“Ohh, I can see Zanth having no difficulties.”

“No, and boy, did that anger my dad. Zanth camped out there for three days, hunting his own meals, found some water, set up shelter. Dad had to drag him back.” Marin held my hand while he told his stories. Smiling at me, he ran his thumb across the back of my fingers. A shudder racked me.

“I am not interrupting something, am I?” Finn asked from the doorway.

We both jumped and turned to the door.

“No,” I replied.

Marin’s sub-vocal I wish was for my ears only. I squeezed his fingers then dropped them like they were hot.

Finn’s gaze swept the room and zeroed in on me. His fingers tapped on his leg ’til he nodded and continued.

“I looked around everywhere for the spy’s scent. I have not stopped. I found three areas where the smell was old and concentrated. You will not like it.” He paused. “Can I speak to you in private?” His words were directed to Marin.

Marin glanced at me. What couldn’t Finn say in front of me? I flashed my eyes at Marin, then Finn, as I left. Stewing, I made my way to my room.

My anger was at a slow boil when Marin sauntered in. My face fell. I’d been hoping for Finn. I was more than ready to hash things out. A good fight would be nice right now.

Marin sat on the side of my bed.

“He believes he knows who the spy is, but he wants confirmation as the spy is…a high-ranking clan member. The situation will be a nightmare.”

“Who?”

“I cannot tell you yet. We need something more before we make an accusation.”

“You can’t prove anything?”

“No, Finn’s new sense of smell is not proof. Powers are trickling back, but no one will take what he smells as evidence. They will claim bias. We need more. This means you have to stay here; you know this, right?”

“Yeah, I figured.” I rolled over onto my back on the bed, then turned, startled. There were several more plush blankets lying across my bed.

I raised my eyebrows at Marin. He flushed.

“You said you liked blankets.” He hesitated. “Do you want me to stay here tonight? Keep the nightmares away?”

“No, I do not think that would be for the best.”

“As you wish.”