“Infuriating female. I should have known you’d make a simple gesture complicated.”
He grasped the dressing screen and pulled it to conceal the tub. Next, he seized the lone chair, turning it to face the wall, slamming the legs against the floor. Like a sulky child sent to the corner, he flopped onto the seat.
“See? All set. I promise not to peek.”
It wasn’t a terrible solution. After the long ride to town, the thought of soaking in a real bathtub was too tempting to pass up. “Fine,” I huffed. “But if you move an inch out of that chair, I’ll clobber you.”
“Your bath is getting cold.”
“I’m going.”
Behind the screen, I shed my dusty clothes, twisting my curls into a knot on top of my head. Another peek to confirm Thorne was behaving, and I eased my aching body into the welcoming water.
Liquid heat surrounded me, and I let out a groan. “Oh, that’s heaven.”
“What was that?” he asked. “Did I hear you say, thank…”
Eyeroll. “Thank you, Thorne.”
“You are most welcome, Princess.”
I rested my head on the lip of the tub, letting my eyes close. Exhaustion pressed in on me. I was unaccustomed to traveling for such long distances. Traveling period, for that matter. Just as I started to relax, the chair squeaked.
My eyes snapped open. “What are you doing?”
“Staring at a terribly interesting wall. If I squint, I can almost make the shape of two rutting stags in the wood grain.”
“Gross.”
“What areyoudoing?”
I settled deeper in the tub, propping my ankle on the rim and wiggling my toes. Steam rose from my heated flesh. “That’s none of your business.”
Thorne’s dark chuckle rippled over my skin, raising goosebumps. “Very well.” He paused. “If you won’t entertain my innocent query, perhaps you’ll answer a different question.”
“Go on.” My eyelids grew heavier with each passing second.
“The bastard in the tavern. He’s the one who stabbed you?”
“Yes.” I yawned.
“Hmm. Good to know.”
“Why?”
“No reason.”
Fluffy clouds filled my brain, and I floated away.
“Sera?” whispered a voice. “Princess, wake up.”
Gentle fingers squeezed my bare shoulder, and I forced my eyes open, peering up at Thorne.
“What?”
“You fell asleep. I worried you may drown. Again.”
“You…” I trailed off. Water surrounded me. I was in a bathtub. Naked.
