“Oh, no need to be so shy!” the maid said, winking. “He’s a handsome one, that one. You made a fine catch, girl!”
Semras sighed in surrender. Further protestations would only make Pepa more certain of her assumption.
Feeling suddenly bashful, she stood to escape the maid’s gaze—only to wobble on her legs and wince with pain. Riding all day had taken its toll on her body.
Pepa let out a throaty laugh. “That good, hmm? He did look like the rough type. No worries, dear, I’ve got something that’ll help. To the bath with you!” She guided Semras and what remained of her dignity to the tub, then retrieved from her apron a small bottle and winked. “It’s my secret ‘witchy’ brew. What’s in there works wonders for soothing aches ofallkinds.” The maid let a few drops fall down into the water.
The scent of lavender, a bit of chamomile, and a dash of patchouli filled her nose—the basics of a relaxing, aromatic essence. Not bad for a neophyte.
“Thank you,” Semras said, turning to the bath.
“Wait!” Pepa patted her shoulder, startling her. “Dear me, I almost forgot!”
The maid flew through the room, then stopped at the desk to bend over Velten’s bag. After retrieving a small vial from it, she brought it back.
As soon as Pepa opened the bottle, Semras understood what the maid meant to do. Frenetic words of alarm jumbled in her throat, tangling together until they became a small, strangled whimper. Too late. The maid dropped some of the bottle’s contents in the water.
Helpless, the witch stared as each new drop tainted her precious bath.
“There you go!” Pepa said. “Menlove itwhen you smell like them in the morning. It’s a little trick of mine, and it drives ‘em mad! You’ll see, miss. No need to thank me!” She returned the vial of cologne back where she found it, then left the room with a cheerful wave. “Enjoy!”
Blinking, Semras stood in front of the tub. Fragrances of lavender and chamomile now mixed with the scent of musk and wood essence, emanating invitingly from the lukewarm water. Defeated, she sighed and wove the water’s threads until it started steaming again.
Nothing else could be done to salvage her bath beyond the mere comfort of heat; weaving the problem out of the Arras would take too long. She’d have to endure the irritating smell, lest her tardiness summon an equally irritating inquisitor while she’d still be naked in the tub. That possibility didn’t tempt her in the slightest.
With a suffering sigh, the witch slipped out of her nightgown, then plunged her foot into the water.
As her shoulders gradually relaxed in the warm water, Semras corrected herself. The inquisitor’s cologne wasn’t irritating. It was quite pleasant, even.
It only had the misfortune of being used on an unpleasant man.
Shereallyshouldhaveskipped the bath.
The thought plagued her as soon as she opened the room’s door to find Sir Themas waiting beyond, standing straight with his hands behind his back. Deep pockets had formed beneath his eyes during the night.
Semras chewed on her lip. She reeked of Velten’s cologne, and now he would think she had earned a pardon on her back.
Feet shuffling, the knight watched her with unease. He stood half a foot taller than her, yet his penitent countenance made her feel as ifshetowered over him.
He bowed. “Miss Semras, I bid you good morning. I …” His throat bobbed, then he continued, “I stand ready to escort you to the common room to break your fast. Whenever you feel … feel ready.”
Adjusting the black woollen shawl around her shoulders, Semras silently walked past him, determined to acknowledge neither his presence nor the situation.
But then Themas let out a shuddering breath, and she spun to stare at him, wincing inwardly.
His gaze immediately dropped to the floor. With his creased brow and downturned lips, the knight looked utterly miserable.
“Well. Spit it out,” Semras said, sighing. “I won’t dance around your awkwardness all day.”
He flinched, keeping his gaze down to avoid hers. “… Are you well?”
She waited. That was just part of what was on his mind. Better let it out here and now rather than later, when others could hear it too.
Squirming under her silence, he added, “… Did he hurt you?”
“No.” Semras jerked away, ready to leave the subject—and the night—behind.
A sharp pain flared up from her right thigh, and her leg faltered beneath her.
