She swallowed, dabbing at a nasty wound on the thickest part of his shoulder. “And King Ivar?”
Kassandr harrumphed. “It is said he fights with bodyguards always around him, but I have not yet seen. Please, Saga, tell to me of your day. I do not wish to think of battle. I want only to hear your voice.”
Her eyes lifted to meet his, and Saga was suddenly feverishly hot. How easy it would be to drop the cloth to the ground. To slide onto the bed and pull him over her. Saga’s gaze fell to his lips, and it was as though a string in her belly grew taut, urging her forward. Somehow, she caught herself before she did something reckless.
“I served cabbage soup for hours.” Saga tore her eyes away from his lips, but they only landed on his chin. Kassandr hadn’t shaven in days, and Saga was disappointed to find that her favorite cleft was now buried beneath the beginnings of a beard.
“I can smell so,” said Kassandr.
“What?” asked Saga, ripping her gaze upward.
“I can smell the soup on you.”
Saga scowled at him as she dipped the linen into the pitcher, then squeezed it out.
“Do not worry, always it has been my favorite of meals,” Kassandr quipped. “To me, you smell delicious.”
Saga prattled on. “I had the fortress stores restocked before—”Before the city walls fell,she did not say. “I can assure you, Kovograd Fortress has enoughmedovukhato last five years.”
“You do not know how we Zagadkians can hold our drink,” teased Kassandr. “I am certain it will not last so long as you think.”
Because the fortress will fall,Saga thought grimly,and all themedovukhawith it.She bit down on her lip, focusing on cleaning a long, shallow cut along Kassandr’s side.
“I am glad,” he said in a rough voice, “you came to me so manynights. It seems you alone can tame my beast. He slumbers now, right here.” Kassandr tapped the center of his chest with two fingers.
“I’m glad as well,” she said softly. “Has it caused you…troubles? Your beast?” Saga cringed, her skin prickling with remorse. “I’m sor—”
“Many times.”
Her gaze darted up, locking on his vibrant green eyes. But where she so often found a certain wildness, she now saw something softer. Vulnerable, perhaps. Maybe this is what prompted her to press on.
“What I saw in the red room, with your father.” Saga wasn’t sure quite how to phrase it. “Are you often punished for your…nature?”
His sigh was long and weary. “When I was a child, yes. My animal form and disposition were not what my father wished for in a son. He thought my beast could be tamed by Kresimir’s whip.”
Saga abandoned her linen, staring at him in horror. “Yourfatheris the beast,” she said venomously. “What a horrible thing to do to your own son. And your mother? Where was she through all this?”
He cocked his head to the side, as though her reaction was not what he’d expected. “My mother died when birthing Elisava, long before my nature became large problem. During those years, my father was wed to Oleg’s mother, who—” He sighed, his gaze growing distant. “—who lost no sleep worrying on me.”
“It was wrong.” Saga gripped the cloth tightly. “All of it. You cannot help your nature.”
For the first time since she’d arrived in Zagadka, she was filled with a sense of shame for her actions. “I’m sorry.”
“Is no fault of yours.”
“Not for your horrible father, Kassandr, for my…reactionto you.” Her brows pulled together. “You have always seen me for who I am and I…I reciprocated in a rather shameful way.”
He smiled sadly. “Is not unusual. But now I think—” He paused. “—Ihopeyou have seen my beast will never harm you.”
Saga nodded, then swayed on her feet.
Kassandr’s fingers dug into her hips—when had they landedthere? “I think you, too, are very tired, my Winterwing.” He pulled her closer, and she placed steadying hands on his shoulders. What would happen if she leaned a little closer? Pressed her lips to his?
“Kassandr,” she said, caught somewhere between a protest and a plea.
“Shh,” he said, burying his nose in the crook of her neck. “Let me hold you. Just for a minute.”
A wet slap told Saga the linen she’d used to clean his wounds had fallen to the floor. She leaned into his touch, arms sliding around his neck. Saga let herself forget all the horrors of the past days and relented to a moment of comfort. With his arms around her, with his face buried in her neck, she felt safe; felt cherished; felt for one moment like everything would be all right.
