Hunted by Magic (The Baine Chronicles #3)(57)

“Ohhhh yeahhhhh,” Annia groaned, arching her back as my right thumb found a knot. “You can keep that up for as long as you want.”

I grinned. “Thanks, but I think I’ll go get the Chief Mage now.”

“Tease,” Annia grumbled, shooting me a dirty look over her shoulder.

Laughing, I gave her shoulders one last squeeze, then vaulted over the railing and down to the main deck. There was no one to watch as I strolled across the wooden floorboards toward the tiny captain’s cabin at the rear of the ship – the other delegates had taken refuge from the hot sun below decks. I would have to round them up soon, although maybe I’d leave that task up to Iannis. They were his delegates, after all.

As I lifted my knuckles to rap on the door, a ripple of nervous energy gave me pause. I stopped to examine the feeling, and realized that this would be the first time Iannis and I would have a one-on-one conversation since the little…incident back at the river. Heat rushed through me as I remembered the feeling of his hard, naked body pressed against mine. I licked my lips, convinced I could taste him on my tongue all over again.

We’d said things to each other at the river that I’m not sure would have ever slipped from our lips under other circumstances. I’d told him that I needed him, something I’d never told any man before, and part of me wished badly that I could take the words back. Saying them out loud had been admitting a weakness, and that was a dangerous thing to do around anyone, never mind someone as powerful as Iannis. He already held my life and fate in his hands – I didn’t need to inflate his ego any further or allow him to think I was okay with being dependent on him.

But it was too late. I couldn’t take back the words, nor could I take back the kiss we’d shared. And try as I might, I couldn’t hide from the fact that I did need him. If not on an emotional level, then on a practical one, because he was the only mage around who was willing and able to teach me how to master my magic and control the volatile emotions preventing me from using it safely.

“Are you going to stand out there all day, or will you come in?”

I jumped, startled at the sound of Iannis’s voice. A second later, heat flushed into my cheeks as I realized he’d known I was standing outside the door. Taking in a deep breath, I willed the blush to recede from my cheeks, then pushed the door open.

“How long did you know I was standing here?” I asked, then froze as I caught sight of Iannis standing on the other side of the bunk bed. He looked very much like his old self, dressed in a pair of blue and gold robes, his cherrywood hair tied back with a leather thong. No trace of the aboriginal remained in the lines of his face or the folds of his clothing, and his violet eyes were as cool and aloof as ever.

“Since I heard your boots stop outside my door.” A slight frown creased his brow as he studied me. “You look…disappointed. Why is that?”

I thought about brushing off the question, but opted for honesty instead and grinned. “I was kind of hoping you’d show up to the Convention in your buckskins with the feathers in your hair,” I admitted. “Where did you find those robes, anyway?” We’d found a few Resistance uniforms on the ship, but nothing resembling mage robes.

Iannis huffed. “I was joking when I said I was going to do that. After already missing half the Convention, I can’t very well show up looking like a Coazi. The robes are an illusion that I will have to maintain until I can procure proper clothing.”

“Oh really?” I arched a brow. “Does that mean you’re still wearing the buckskins underneath?”

Iannis’s lips twitched. “You seem awfully preoccupied with what I’m wearing, Sunaya,” he remarked, walking around the narrow cot toward me.

“Yeah well, last time I was face-to-face with you alone, you weren’t wearing much of anything,” I murmured as he came closer. The smell of sandalwood and musk filled my senses, and I instinctively inhaled, wanting more of it.

“Indeed,” he said softly, his eyes searching mine as he took my hand in his. “I wasn’t exactly expecting company.”

“Would you rather I had not come?” I asked nonchalantly, trying to act as though my pulse wasn’t skyrocketing in response to his touch. His long fingers wrapped around mine, thumb stroking across the back of my hand, and my heart fluttered wildly. By Magorah, what was I getting myself into?

“Of course not. You saved me, broke through Halyma’s spell and reminded me who I really am.” His grip tightened on my hand. “You mentioned at the stream that you needed me. I think I am starting to realize that I need you too.”

“Wait…what?” I gaped at him, stunned. “What could you possibly need me for, when you’ve got Fenris and the whole Mages Guild behind you?”

“Fenris is invaluable of course, and the Mages Guild has its role, but whenever there is trouble in my city, you always seem to find your way directly to the heart of it.” Iannis smiled a little. “Those escapades of yours helped expose layers of corruption and decadence that I might not have otherwise noticed. Perhaps we should consider working together, instead of working around each other as we have been.”

“Wait a minute.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Are you suggesting that we become partners?”

Iannis frowned. “‘Partners’ might be the wrong word, considering that we are master and apprentice. You would still be subject to my authority, and under my protection. But should you come across a case that has far-reaching ramifications, you may come to me and request my assistance at any time.”