"You do know that I've been answering questions you haven't quite paid for yet?" Alaric replied, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. The scent of the oil—a delicate blend of herbs and flowers—drifted around them, mingling with the lingering heat from their baths.
"I owe you one at most," she replied, her voice playful but expectant.
Alaric gave a low chuckle, stepping closer so that his tall frame seemed to envelop her. He leaned in until their faces were mere inches apart, his gaze capturing hers. "All right, then," he whispered. "What was the question?"
She took a shaky breath, her legs dangling slightly from the stool as she steadied herself under his intense gaze. "Your skin, your health... everything. What happens to you in sunlight?"
"Nothing." He shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"What do you mean?" she asked, tilting her head. "The most common lore about vampires is that they can't go under the sun."
