I didn’t have time for this. There was still work to be done in the upper room. Sander and Von were up there, but I was compelled to be part of every damn step, and I didn’t want to peel back those thoughts to understand why.
Intolerable thoughts of her blue eyes and the way she leaned into my touch before her mind told her to hide away had kept my mind wandering while shaping one of the shelves.
The woman was torture.
Our shared touches, our kisses, they were a siren’s call, and I could not escape the pull to more with my wife. But fate was cruel and she would rather keep to her chamber than risk the sight of me.
Since the attack, my mood had grown sour and wretched. Part of me wondered if Sander had rocked the shelf on purpose all to get my grumbling ass out of the room.
The gash on my finger bled like it was fatal, but was slowly clottingwith Ylva’s pastes she kept in the cooking room for the staff who grew too lax with their chopping knives.
Hands padded across my back. Gentle, feminine. My skin raised in deeper annoyance, and it festered in my chest.
“Are you well now, Prince Jonas?”
“Fine.” I tightened the bloody bandage tighter around my hand.
“Here.” Another woman named Runi approached with a new linen. She kept a hand over her nose, blocking the smell. “Ylva demands you keep it fresh. You know better than to argue, and I think she’s trying to get you out of her kitchen with your stink.”
I gave a nod of thanks and took the clean bandage, peeling the old off my torn flesh. Runi was pleasant enough. Once we took a bit of pleasure from each other in the stables, but she was not under any illusions our time was anything deeper.
Runi was not the problem.
Oldun, new to the staff of the palace, would not step away. Where I would move, so would Oldun.
“Let me help you.”
I pulled away. “I’m fine. Thank you.”
Oldun ignored the request, feigning concern over my hand, and used the moment to press against me. Her eyes were big and hazy with desire. Once, I might’ve enjoyed it, might’ve taken her somewhere where we’d both give in to lust.
Now, I could not rid my thoughts of a woman who did not want me.
With care, I nudged her back. “All thanks, ladies. I think I’ll be good to return now.”
Oldun’s fingertips lingered too long on my wrapped palm, unbothered by the smell. “Would you want company?”
“No.” My tone came out harsher than intended.
“I don’t understand.”
“I plan to leave here without company. Is that better?” Gods, I was an ass.
“Do I not please you?” Oldun’s eyes were wide, almost hurt.
My grousing was not her fault. I let out a sigh. “I am vowed.”
Oldun covered a laugh with her palm. Even Runi snickered.
“Forgiveme, Prince Jonas.” Again, the woman took hold of my arm. “But we all know the circumstances. It’s not a typical vow.”
“Oh? Did I not take a wife? I don’t believe you were there, but I was, and I recall vows much like anyone else would take.”
Oldun tilted her head, looking at me like I was an exasperating child. “Everyone knows you don’t speak to the elven. She does not leave her room.”
“I think you speak of things you don’t understand.”
“Oldun.” Runi tried to reach for the other woman. “Leave it be.”
