Inker and Crown by Megan O'Russell

Author:Megan O'Russell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ink Worlds Press

22

Adrial

“Ena, what”―Adrial shielded his eyes, examining the rocks by his feet―“I―I should wait by the horses.”

“But you’ve haven’t seen what I’ve brought you here for.” Ena’s shift landed on his boot. “Now take your clothes off and come on.”

“Take off my clothes?” His words came out with a roll of laughter.

“We have to swim a bit, and you’ll have an awful night if you try to sleep in wet clothes.” Ena pulled his hands away from his eyes.

She was perfect, her technicolor hair draped over her shoulders. Alabaster skin and round hips. The only thing she wore was a black stone pendant that hung between her breasts.

“Don’t tell me you’ve never seen a naked woman before, scribe. If we don’t get up the falls, you’ll miss it.”

Adrial stood frozen as she unbuttoned his shirt, her fingers brushing against the bare skin of his chest.

“Can you do your pants on your own, or have the Guilds left you too helpless?”

“I can undress myself.” Adrial took a step back and turned away.

“As you say, scribe, but come on.”

Splash.

Adrial glanced toward the water in time to watch as she dove deep beneath the surface.

His fingers froze on the buttons of his shirt. “Saint Alwyn, help me.” He dropped his coat and shirt to the ground as Ena broke through the surface of the water.

“Jump in, scribe. It’s not that cold.” She treaded water, watching him pull off his boots and socks, a mischievous grin glinting in her eyes.

“I could just swim with my pants on.”

“And freeze when night comes? Would that be a fair price for modesty?”

Adrial took a breath, willing his hands not to shake as he unbuttoned his pants. “Is this a normal thing among the unguilded?”

“Afraid there’s a bunch of naked rotta scum running through the alleys in Ilara?”

“I would never call an unguilded person such a thing.”

“If you’re going to be such a gentleman, I suppose I should be kind as well. Take off your pants in peace. But hurry it up or I’ll climb without you.”

She dove beneath the water and swam toward the falls as Adrial whimpered, “Climb?”

You’re the head scribe of all Ilbrea. Groomed to lead the Guild and face any foe who threatens the sanctity of the Scribes Guild. You cannot run away from a naked woman.

Adrial dropped his pants and stepped free, slipping into the water before Ena could surface and look back.

The cool water didn’t match the spring air. Adrial had expected the cold to knock the breath from his lungs, but the chill of the water was more invigorating than painful.

“Well done, scribe,” Ena called from a boulder at the base of the falls. She’d climbed on top of the rock and stood, brazen in her nakedness.

Adrial dove beneath the water, letting his eyes take in the rock bottom of the pool instead of Ena’s perfect form.

What would Allora say?

Ena grabbed his hand as he reached the boulder, hauling him up onto the rock.

“Not so bad is…” The words faded from Ena’s lips as her gaze fell on his shoulder.

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