Praetorian Rising, стр. 41
"The virus we were infected with when we became Praetorians has several side effects and reliving disturbing images from our past is one of them. The doctor calls them 'Praecollection.' As you gain more strength, they won't be so debilitating," Theo said softly, brushing his thumb back and forth across her knuckles.
"We need to stay on task here," Vesyon said, his tone curt and crisp, once again causing Theo to pull away and cross his arms against his chest. "Metus is on his way, and we need to prepare. Camille, I'm sorry to say this, but it would be best if you stayed out of the main fight. You aren't strong enough—"
"Says you!" Camille burst out against her better judgment. Vesyon was right; she still felt weak, and her entire body ached to climb back into bed. But this wasn't something Camille wanted to run away from, either. She wanted to know why the High King was after her, and when the King Regent arrived, she wanted to be front and center to fight him off. "I'm not hiding from him."
Theo chuckled appreciatively. "That's our Cam, blazing into battle on all cylinders." His confident smile lifted Camille's spirits. Even though he was as overprotective as Vesyon, he still seemed to appreciate her desperate need to prove she could handle herself.
The room fell silent between the three of them, each lost in their own whirl of thoughts.
Vesyon eventually spoke first. "Take Camille up to the kitchens, Theo. She needs to eat and regain some strength. Make sure she gets to bed afterward. She needs rest."
Although she wasn't even close to understanding everything, the mention of food had Camille's mouth involuntarily watering. A huge pang of homesickness throbbed in her stomach when she thought about Betty Anne and a nice warm meal at the Broken Goat.
Reminiscing would have to take a back seat, though; Camille was starving, and a piping hot meal was more than deserved after the week she'd been having.
Chapter Ten
Secrets in the Night
Camille sat back against her chair; her stomach distended blissfully with the pressure of food she just devoured. The small red plate of rosemary chicken and tomato salad with cured cheese had been so delicious she was tempted to grab her plate and lick off the remaining flavor left behind.
"Another one?" Theo said, handing her a fourth goblet filled-to-the-brim with a drink Theo called "Scotties." It was the most delightful thing she’d ever tasted, a smooth and savory concoction of buttery caramel and cream.
"Oh yes, please!" she said as she happily accepted the silver glass out of his hand, her fingers barely grazing against his. A spark of electricity zipped down her spine at the slight skin contact. "Thank you," she said, her body clamming up with a sense of shy apprehension.
Why does he make me feel so on edge? she thought as she sipped at the warm beverage in her hands.
He smiled at her enthusiasm, his expression tender as he watched her.
"You're doing that thing again," Camille said, keeping her eyes glued to the glass in her hand, slowly drinking and savoring the buttery sweetness rolling over her taste buds.
"What thing?"
"Staring at me."
He didn't reply as he continued to stare, his gaze boring into the side of her face with unrelenting heat.
"This is quite an impressive kitchen," Camille said conversationally to break the tension she felt thrumming between them. She pulled her focus away from his attention, desperate to calm the erratic beating of her heart.
Romeo Village appeared poor and rundown with neglect topside. However, the inner workings of the compound were downright glamorous by comparison. The kitchen hall was lined with reflection panels circulating the entire room and making it feel as though she were sitting on top of a tower over-looking the mountains and trees of the village. It was incredible, and unlike anything she had ever seen before. The pinewood paneled floors were shiny and clean, not a dust mite in sight or errant cobweb through the weaving of exposed wooden rafters expanding the width of the hall. Everything was alive with the glow of a soft rising moon.
"I'm sorry that I keep staring," Theo said finally as he pushed his empty plates away, scooting closer to her on the bench. His left thigh pressed against hers, sending a fiery spark of electricity up and down her spine. "I just can't believe you're here with me."
The grin plastered on his face was almost comical. She wasn’t certain if she wanted more of his attention, or if she wanted to run and hide from it, either option made her insides squirm uncomfortably. "I think I'm ready to go to sleep," Camille said, unable to look him in the eyes.
"Sure," he replied, his tone slightly less enthusiastic than before.
Their scuffed and muddy boots echoed down the dimmed hallways as Theo walked her back to her room. She knew she wouldn't have been able to find her way without him.
"Here we are," Theo said on a sigh as though he didn't want to leave her alone just yet. It was endearing and made Camille smile in response. They stood silently for a moment in front of a door Camille never would've placed as hers.
"Thank you for walking me back to my room; it really wasn't necessary," Camille lied.
He smirked in response, then took her hand and brought it to his lips. He brushed a feather-light kiss across her knuckles, sending a flutter of nervous butterflies through her bloodstream. She could feel the heat radiating off his body, and it made her desperate to draw nearer. It was weird to handle such a strong pull toward a man she barely knew. Even after what had happened in the forest with the Equestrians, Camille felt safe and intrigued by Theo's subtle advances. She craved them and wanted more.
"We both know," he said,