“No. I miss him.” Hevva squeezed her eyes closed again, but this time no tears fell.
“Hold on.” He pushed himself up and went out in the hall for a moment. There, he removed his jacket with expert speed and ripped off his cravat. Ehmet even popped the top button of his shirt loose, ditched his cufflinks, and rolled up his sleeves.
When he returned, he found she’d fallen asleep.
A long and shaky sigh escaped the king’s lungs as he leaned against the doorframe, watching her for a few minutes. She was so beautiful, with her long lithe body, smooth expanses of creamy skin, her soft wide mouth, and those gorgeous storm-cloud eyes. He loved her sparkling hair and effervescent personality. He loved talking to her, her silliness, her wit. He loved kissing her, tasting her, the joy of being around her. She wasfun.A rarity at court.
So, Ehmet scooped her into his arms and took the back hallways and hidden staircases to discreetly deliver Lady Hevva to her room. As his hands were occupied with keeping her aloft, he used magic to create an odd sort of metallic finger—a hook hand—to open the latch on the hidden panel that permitted entrance to her suite.
The latch popped, and Ehmet kneed open the door before tumblingthrough, only to be hit in the face with a jet of scalding water.
“Oh! Oh! Oh, Your Majesty, I am so sorry!” The lady’s maid rushed toward him, a cool stream of liquid magic soothing the spot on his cheek that she’d scorched seconds before. “I thought you were an intruder! Is she alive?” Aylin’s eyes widened at the sight of Hevva, whose head lolled back and whose arm was limp at her side.
“I believe that shemayhave over imbibed,” Ehmet rumbled with a sheepish smile.
“My poor dear.” Aylin stepped forward and brushed the lady’s hair back from her face. “How are we going to manage this?” She eyed Hevva’s intricate iridescent gown.
“I could rip it off.” The words were out before he even knew what he was saying. “Oh— Gods—”
The maid burst into dry laughter. “I don’t suggest doing that while my lady is asleep.”
“I am so sorry. I have also had quite a bit to drink tonight.” His cheeks heated.
Aylin shook her head and chuckled before issuing commands to King Hethtar, a sure sign she was not oft bowled over by nobility. He respected her all the more for it. Together, they ensured that Lady Hevva was put to bed in her underdress—it was better than doing nothing—with an empty bowl and a large glass of water by her side.
“Your Majesty.” Aylin stopped him as he made his way back to the wall panel.
He turned back to face the kind woman.
“Thank you for caring for her. She’s a wonderful person.”
He dipped his chin in agreement before slipping away.
fifteen
Hevva reflects on etiquette.
Morning was awful. SoHevva went back to bed.
Midday was awful. So Hevva went back to bed.
Afternoon was awful. But Aylin wouldn’t let Hevva go back to bed.
“Let’s go, that’s right. Drink this down.”
Hevva chugged from the glass shoved in her face, expecting water, and nearly vomited all over again. “What is this?!”
“Hair of the dog that bit you, my lady.”
“Well, you’ve got the wrong dog, because that burns.” But the fiery whiskey was already settling her stomach, so she added, “Do you have any more?”
Aylin pulled a flask out of her pocket and poured a tipple for her. Hevva’s eyes widened at the crest on her maid’s new possession.
“Have you picked up thievery as a new hobby?”
Aylin smirked. “No, my lady. King Hethtar stopped by earlier and thought you might be in need. Says you can return it to him this evening.”
Hevva’s eyes widened further at the thought, and then snapped closed when muddled memories of the night before assaulted her. Her hand flew up as her mouth dropped open.
