“If it helps, I don’t remember what happened,” I say. “They told me that’s normal.”
She chuckles. “That actually does make me feel a bit better. Would you like me to wash your hair?” she asks gently.
I nod, and she begins pouring water over my head. I’ve never had anyone wash my hair before, but it is so relaxing I almost fall asleep again.
When I’m clean, they assist me into a nightgown and robe before guiding me to the small table near the window. There’s soup and bread and apple slices, and even a piece of cake.
“You don’t have to stay. I’m sure you’d rather be elsewhere.” They’ve been so kind, and I don’t want to be a burden.
“The enforcer asked us to keep watch over you,” Clara says.
Knowing they were sent by Brevan makes me like them even more. “Would you like to join me? There’s plenty of food.”
Clara waves her hand dismissively. “We already had dinner, Your Highness.”
“Would you like to sit, at least? Maybe have some dessert?” The slice is more like a quarter of a cake.
“Are you sure?” Bridget asks. Clara elbows her. “We’re not hungry.”
“Please. I don’t want to eat alone.”
They exchange a glance, then finally sit at the table with me.
Bridget looks excited when I shove the cake toward her.
“Thank you for your help,” I tell them and push a fork and knife toward them. “They only gave me one of each, but I won’t tell if you want to use your hands.”
They smile, and Bridget takes the fork and starts eating the cake.
I try the soup. The broth is warm and flavorful, and it soothes my still-dry throat. “Tell me about yourselves.”
We make small talk, with me letting them do most of the talking. They seem nice, but our conversation is very surface level, which is fine with me.
The food helps me feel stronger and I force myself to eat most of the soup.
“Would you like anything else, Your Highness?” Clara asks.
“No, thank you. I think I’d like to rest again,” I say. “And can you send Brevan—I mean, the enforcer in?”
“Of course,” Clara says.
“I hope we see you again soon,” Bridget says.
“Thank you for your help, ladies,” I say.
They’re only gone a few minutes before Brevan enters my room and says, “They could have stayed with you all night.”
“I have a mark,” I announce before I even have time to process what he just said. “Sorry. That just came out. The ladies were very kind, but I prefer privacy.”
He nods. “I thought so, but I wish you would have accepted their assistance. You’re likely still recovering.”
“I’m fine,” I assure him. “You know about the mark, don’t you?”
“Well, the woman who dressed you saw it. She told me you had one.”
“What does it mean?” I ask.
“It’s somehow linked to the gift the gods gave you, though it’s not always clear how.”
