Ginevra lifted a copper lever, pumping water into the tub. Balthazar remained still, hands perched on his hips, exuding the effortless arrogance of a man who expected the world to serve him.
Several servants shuffled in, balancing heavy wooden buckets brimming with steaming water. They poured most into the basin, setting the remaining ones aside for later use.
Ginevra tested the temperature with a careful hand. “It’s perfect, my lord,” she said, keeping her gaze respectfully averted.
Balthazar placed a hand on the tub’s edge and stepped in, sinking into the heat with a satisfied groan. “All of you, leave. But remain close in case the water needs reheating.”
The servants bowed and curtsied as they retreated, careful to duck beneath the thorny tendrils of the strange, carnivorous plants dangling from the ceiling.
I shifted uncomfortably. “Shall I depart as well, master?” The thought of standing here while he bathed made my skin crawl.
Balthazar reclined against the tub’s edge, eyes shut, his body at ease. “Reach into my trousers and retrieve Alina’s blade. Place it on my trophy wall.”
I stiffened. “Your trophy wall, my lord?”
Balthazar’s lids lifted.
“You know—the place where I store my most prized possessions. Like the many blades of the Timebornes I’ve killed.”
His voice softened, laced with the same unsettling warmth he had used earlier when tending to me. “I know I can trust you, Marcellious. Once you place Alina’s dagger on the trophy wall, you will go to Giovanni’s house and retrieve the Sun Dagger. He is a weak man—it should be easy for you. Then return to me at once.”
I inclined my head in servitude. “I shall make you proud, master.”
Crouching, I rummaged through his discarded trousers until my fingers curled around the hilt of Alina’s sheathed dagger.
Balthazar watched me intently. “My trophy wall is downstairs, in my office. Ask Ginevra to take you there, but do not let her see my collection.”
His eyes held me captive, expectant.
“Of course not, master.”
Satisfied, he leaned back, sinking deeper into the steaming water. Hislips curled into a musing smile. “It will be so splendid to reunite with my daughter. Shall I bring her flowers? Fine chocolates? Jewels?”
I swallowed my unease. “I’m sure she will appreciate your every gesture and deed.” A blatant lie. I couldn’t imagine Emily’s horror at discovering the truth of her parentage.
“Will there be anything else, master?”
Balthazar waved a lazy hand, dismissing me as he rested his head against the tub’s lip again.
I bowed and backed out of the bathroom, gripping Alina’s blade tightly.
In the hall, Ginevra stood nearby, flanked by two other servants. Their conversation halted at my approach.
“Ginevra, can you take me to Balthazar’s office?”
She nodded briskly. “Certo, maestro.”
Without hesitation, she strode ahead, her keys jingling as she pulled one from the ring at her waist. She unlocked the door, stepping aside with a slight bow. “I shall lock up once you’re finished.”
“Thank you,” I said curtly, stepping inside.
The door shut behind me with a click, and I pressed my back against it, my pulse pounding in my ears.
Placing the dagger inside Balthazar’s trophy wall was not in my best interest.
I needed to get it away from him.
I lingered in his office for what I deemed appropriate before tucking the sheathed dagger into my waistband. Then, with careful composure, I exited, instructed Ginevra to lock the door, and hurried out of the house.
