“Not when there is a washbasin large enough for two and not when my husband looks like you.”
I chuckled and draped one arm over my eyes. “You make a fine argument.”
She rolled out of the bed and covered her shoulders with her satin robe, pecking my cheek. “I’ll get the water ready.”
“Not at a boil this time.”
“I’ll settle for a simmer.”
“You will cook me alive, Wife.”
“I’ll make it worth it.”
I peeked out from beneath my arm. “I’ll hold you to that.”
Skadi squeaked in surprise, flashing me a heated stare, when I made an attempt to swat her backside before she disappeared behind the washbasin door. The woman had already arranged for heated buckets before I even woke.
With a bit of reluctance, I slipped out of bed, unthreading the laceson the thin trousers I wore during the night.
“Prince Jonas.”
I spun toward the bedroom door. My blood went cold. “Oldun? What the hells are you doing in my chamber?”
The woman trembled, holding another steaming bucket of water. She looked small when she placed it on the ground and removed a pigskin pouch from the pocket of her smock. Thin, linen gloves coated her hands and her fingers shook as she unlaced the pouch. “I knew you were in here, but . . . I’m sorry, My Prince.”
There was something wrong here. I took a step back. “You need to leave, Oldun.”
“I’m doing this to protect you.” Her voice cracked. “They need to take her back.”
For such a waif of a woman, Oldun moved like a spark catching flame. She ran at me, a handful of the powder in her palm, ready to toss at me, perhaps shove it down my throat. I dodged, but some of the dusky powder struck my face.
I wiped it away, waiting for a burn or bite of pain.
Nothing came but a bit of haze in my head.
Oldun steadied on her feet quickly and scooped some more. Tears dripped onto her cheeks. “You’ll understand in the morning. It is for your good.”
“Don’t.” Gods, I could hardly stand straight. There were moments of exhaustion that left me desperate to crawl into bed and sleep for the better part of a month. But my mind was alive enough to know there was no reason I should be feeling so sleep-deprived now.
But for the unknown elixir on my damn face.
I held up a hand. “I will make you pay, Oldun. I swear it.”
She sniffled. “I’m sorry. It’s for our folk, for you. I hope you’ll come to realize it someday.”
Oldun cried out, but the sound was swallowed in a cloud of damp, cold mists. Darkness devoured the woman until her look of terror faded into nothing but a swarm of stormy billows overhead.
“Skadi.” I steadied myself with one palm on the wall.
In the doorway of the washroom, my fire held out her palms, a lookof vibrant rage written on her beautiful face. The only thing missing was the glow of her eyes.
“Skadi.” Her name came out in a rough rasp. “Don’t fall into it.”
“She tried to hurt you.” My wife spoke with an eerie calm. “I have never felt such a rage before.”
Wretched feelings—pain, greed, hate—it did something to Skadi’s affinity, it pulled her fire into darkness. I started to assure her I was fine, but whatever was ebbing through my blood drained strength with each breath.
“Jonas! Skadi! We heard a scream.”
