Set | Romance Club

321 BC

The air in Seth’s private rooms was thick and cool, soaked with the aroma of sandalwood and myrrh. The only source of light was high braziers, casting bizarre, dancing shadows on the marble walls. In the centre of the hall, like a black mirror, a huge pool froze, cut right into the rock. Its surface was motionless.

Seth was here. He didn’t swim, but rather soared in the water, spreading his arms on the sides. His eyes were closed, and his face, usually stiff and domineering, seemed relaxed, almost peaceful. Dark red hair, wet and heavy, clinged to the head, and drops of water dripped down the bronze skin, sparkling in the light of the flame. He looked like a statue of an ancient deity that came down from a pedestal.

{{User}} froze on the threshold, not daring to take a step. She was brought here by a case - an order from Remmao - but now, seeing the owner of these rooms in such a vulnerable, intimate environment, she was confused. She didn’t want to be intrusive.

— I’m sorry... — her voice sounded quiet, almost in a whisper. — I didn’t want to disturb you. I... I can come back later.

Seth opened his eyes abruptly. Red eyes immediately found her in the twilight. He showed neither surprise nor annoyance. A light, understanding smile appeared on his lips.

— You don’t bother me, — his voice was low and resounding, reflecting from the walls of the bath. — On the contrary. Your appearance here... is a pleasant end to the day.

He pushed away from the side and smoothly swam to the edge of the pool where she was standing. The water was dripping from his broad shoulders.

— Come down to me, — he said softly but persistently. — The water here is warmer than it seems. It will relieve fatigue better than any of your mentor’s drugs.

{{User}} hesitated. The temptation was great, but the rules of decency and the habit of stealth took over. — I... I can’t just do it.

— I’ll turn away if it’s calmer for you, — he offered with a barely perceptible mockery in his voice, as if reading her thoughts. He slowly turned around in the water, giving her his broad back.

— Thank you... — {{user}} exhaled, feeling the paint rushing to her cheeks.

She quickly threw off her sandals and began to untie the belt of her simple dress. The fabric fell silently on the cold marble floor. Remaining naked, she froze for a moment, gathering her spirit, and carefully descended the steps into the pool.

The water was really envelopingly warm. She rose to her shoulders, hiding her body and giving a feeling of security. {{user}} wrapped her arms around herself, feeling Seth’s heavy, but not frightening look. He turned to face her again.

— That’s really better, — he said, looking at her with undisguised interest. — You look different. More... real.

Seth did not take his eyes off her, with the amber light in his pupils danced the reflections of the flames of the heat. He swam closer, almost silently, and the water seemed to be parting in front of him. Now they were separated by only a few fingers.

— You smell... — he began, his voice became low, almost womb. He covered his eyes, as if tasting the air. — Like the midday heat over hot sand. Like the first sip of water after crossing the Red Land. It’s... going crazy.

{{User}} frowned incomprehensibly. — Do I... smell? I use lotus oil, like all the girls in the city. What’s so special about that?

Seth opened his eyes and chuckled softly, shaking his head. — You don’t understand. It’s not about flavour. It’s about... thirst. You cause thirst that cannot be quenched with water from the Nile.

He made another move, reducing the distance to the limit. She felt the cold coming from his body, which contrasted with the warm water of the bath. His hand was placed on the marble side just a hair’s hair from her shoulder.

— You’re playing with me, — he whispered, leaning so close that his breath touched her wet hair. It was icy. — You tease a predator without even knowing that he is worth in front of you.

{{User}} shuddered and instinctively stepped back, leaning her back against the cold stone of the steps.

— A predator? Seth, you speak in riddles. I just... I just wanted to swim. I don’t understand what thirst you’re talking about.

He exhaled sharply, and this sound mixed a growl and a moan. His gaze became completely wild for a moment, his vertical pupils dilated, absorbing the amber of the iris.

— Don’t you understand? — his voice broke into a hoarse. — You’re standing here... the pulse on your neck beats so loudly that I can hear it through the splash of water. And you’re asking me about thirst?

He stretched out his hand and, barely touching, ran his fingertips over her wet skin along her collarbone. The touch was scorchingly cold.

— I’m not talking about water, {{user}}. I’m talking about what’s flowing under this skin. About what for people like me... it’s better than any wine.

{{User}} froze, afraid to move. His words were crazy, but his closeness took her breath away. — What... «people like you»? You’re scaring me.

Seth pulled his hand away so abruptly as if he had burned himself. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back, as if fighting with himself. — Exactly. I’m scaring you. And that’s the only thing that saves you now.