She disappeared into the hall, shutting the door behind her. I followed, anxious to lock it and be done with the night, the day, all of the days before now.
The lock clicked into place and for the first time since before Father Garius had shown me the lost crown, I felt safe.
I didn’t know whether Haemon would be standing guard outside all night or if he’d only been jesting with me. But I hoped he’d been telling the truth.
Now that I was with allies again, I realized the danger of enemies. I wouldn’t have minded at all if the Soravalian royal guard decided to make a permanent camp outside the door.
A tray of food had been left near the fire. After setting my satchel down where I could keep an eye on it, I picked up Shiksa and gave her a dinner of rich toasts slathered in spiced butter and a small helping of potatoes and green roots. Once she had her fill, I made a bed for her near the fire and left her to sleep off her meal.
It was time to take care of me.
My bath was as perfect as I’d hoped it would be. For the first time in months every last bit of me was scrubbed red and spotless. I even smelled good.
I stayed submerged in the blue water until it grew cold, then I stepped onto a rug made of white fur and wrapped myself in a lavish robe. I had not felt luxury like this in as long as I could remember. I stood there drinking in each second until the fur at my feet started to move.
“Shiksa!” I squeaked. “You scared me half to death.” I scooped her up and cradled her against the down of my robe. She yawned her reply and stretched in my arms. Her tiny claws snagged at my robe and her clear green eyes blinked up at me.
“Are you afraid to be alone?”
She stretched her neck and mewled. I walked from the bath into the main living room, deciding that just for tonight she could sleep with me in that huge bed.
“I suppose Oliver isn’t the only sleeping companion I’ve had for the last few weeks.”
“Are you talking to me?”
I screamed at the top of my lungs and nearly squeezed Shiksa to death. “Dragon’s blood, Arrick!”Arrick, grr!Taelon, was perched on a writing desk near the fire. The bath was tucked away in a separate room, but even if he had peeked in on me I wouldn’t have noticed. I’d been too absorbed in my own thoughts. And the shampoo. The shampoo had been very enthralling.
“Tsk, tsk, Your Highness. That is not how a future queen speaks.”
My heartbeat danced wildly. I clutched at the opening of my robe and decided now would be a magnificent time to die. If I could combust or crumble or fly away, that would be just perfect.
“How did you get in here?”
His slow smile was wicked. “I’m the Rebel King, remember? Surely all rebels know the ins and outs of poor locks.”
I scowled at him, remembering the village that nearly burned in Tenovia. All rebels, in fact, did not know how to pick a lock. “How difficult it must be to manage two kingdoms. I’m not sure how you keep up with all your responsibilities.”
“Are you very mad at me, then?”
I ignored the repentant look on his face. Especially when it brought a sharp slice of nostalgia. “Yes,” I told him. “Very.”
He stood and walked over to me. I clutched the seam of my robe even tighter. “You lied to me as well, Tessana Allisand. You cannot be upset with me for refusing to disclose the same information you kept secret from me.”
“I can be mad at you,” I told him tartly. “And I will be.”
“But it’s the same thing!”
“No, it’s not. Firstly, you knew who I was. I was not keeping anything a secret from you, even if I had planned to. And secondly, you should have told me. The second you recognized me, you should have confessed.”
“Ah,” he sighed. “So, I’m the villain because I did what you failed to do? Since I recognized you, but you could not see the truth in my features, I am the one to be punished?”
“Aye.”
“That is not fair. Future queens must be fair. Try again.”
“Try again? You can’t be serious.”
“I’m quite serious.”
