章 468: In Heat

"Did he hurt you?" Andre checked on her as soon as Aldric left, looking like he was about to touch her before hesitating at the last minute, as if remembering the "advice" his brother had given him.

Islinda's lips pressed together at the thought. She and Aldric needed to establish clear boundaries. Just because she was his... hostage? It didn't mean he had the right to make decisions for her. She had a right to privacy as well.

"No, I'm fine," she answered him.

Andre's eyes narrowed suspiciously; he didn't believe her.

"I mean it," Islinda said, rolling up her sleeves to show Andre that she wasn't hiding any bruises.

"We just... talked?" Her face turned beet red.

"Oh," Andre finally understood, scrunching up his nose. "No wonder you reek of him."

"I smell like Aldric?" Islinda panicked, tugging on her tunic to check, but there was no smell. "I don't smell anything at all."

Andre sighed, "Just be grateful you can't detect it."