“Enough, Odessa. You’ll know my decision when I leave, and you’ll accept it. I won’t hear anything else on the matter. You’re dismissed.”
I nodded, keeping my composure as I dressed.
As I turned to go, his voice cut through the quiet.
“Odessa?”
I stopped.
“Don’t test my patience again.”
As the memoryof last night started to fade, my expression was frustrated, and I didn’t realize I was crushing the scroll and tassel in my hand until it crumpled under my grip. I ground my teeth, remembering his command: Do not test my patience again.
I straightened my consort robe and checked that the gold chain around my waist was fastened neatly. I looped the crimson tassel through one of the rungs, just before stepping out of my chambers and signaling Sir Karst to begin escorting me.
If Gadriel refused to take me with him, my chance at freedom would disappear with him through Hyrall’s gates. I forced the thought aside before it could unravel me.
A moment later, Sir Karst appeared to guide me to the prince’s chambers. I walked through the castle halls with my head held high, unbothered by the sheer fabric clinging to my frame. While one might have felt self-conscious in my situation, dignity was no longer something I wore outwardly.
Daylight still filtered through the high windows, and the castle halls were busy with courtiers and noblefolk. Stewards and cupbearers movedabout, while advisors rushed past. Through it all, I walked through the corridors nearly naked.
The sheer silk of my robe clung to me as I moved, the crimson tassel at my hip swaying with each step. Men turned their eyes to the stone floor, whether from shame or reproach, I couldn’t say. A few looked. Some lingered. Though, their gazes were full of judgment. They didn’t need to speak, the glances were enough to know what they thought of me.
It was rare for a courtesan to be seen in the daylight, rarer still to walk the castle halls like this. We were meant to stay tucked away in our quarters, hidden, seen only when summoned. Now, in full view, I became a silent spectacle.
One older noble let his gaze rest too long on my bare navel. I didn’t flinch, instead, I met his eyes and held the stare.
He looked away first.
As he walked by, he muttered ‘filthy temptress’, barely loud enough for me to hear.
The words brushed past my ear and slid off my shoulders.
Once, they would’ve cut. In the beginning, I’d feel my anger slipping away, spiraling into something far darker. But now, my focus had to be on what truly mattered: leaving.
If I confided in Gadriel, perhaps he would punish this man. If he were a lord, Gadriel could strip him and his family of their titles and land, leaving their coffers to run dry. But that would be a waste of a favor, and favors from the prince were rarely given twice.
No, I needed to save what influence I had. I needed him to take me to Torhiel.
The grim truth of Hyrall was this, whatever scraps of my humanity I once clung to had withered long ago. Each passing day here carved away at what remained.
Truth be told, whatever little of it was left died long ago.
Gadriel lounged in the bath,steam coiling around him in thick tendrils. The scent of heated oils clung to the air, mingling with the sharper trace of sweat that still lingered on his skin from sparring.
I stood quietly nearby, awaiting his orders.
He seemed indifferent to my presence as he sunk further into the water, which lapped at his collarbones. His eyes were closed, appearing almost as if he were sleeping.
“Wash my hair,” he said lazily.
My lips pressed into a thin line. “Of course, Your Highness.”
I moved without delay, gathering the bottles of soap and oil, balancing them carefully in my arms. I placed a stool beside the tub and sat, lifting the sheer sleeves of my robe to keep them dry. The silk pooled at my elbows as I reached for the wooden bowl and poured warm water slowly over his head. It streamed through his auburn hair in soothing streams, soaking the nape of his neck.
A quiet, contented sound rumbled from his throat.
The moment felt oddly still. Intimate, but transactional, like so much of what passed between us.
