He nodded at a pair of doors to our left. “Your room shall be in there. The bath you shall use for this one time is to our right.”
The bathroom turned out to be a whole room with a huge in-floor tub, and a floor and sink made of marble. I was thrilled when I turned the tap of the tub and warm water ran out. A modern convenience I had sorely missed.
Cassian’s eyes flickered up and down my body. “I shall leave you to your cleaning, unless you desire help.”
I rubbed my sore back muscle. “I think I’ll just enjoy the soak, but thank you.”
He bowed his head and reluctantly slipped away. I thoroughly enjoyed the bath, though the change of clothes was a little more difficult. Namely, in that the set of clothes had to be found, since all of mine were equally dingy. I came out of the bath feeling like a new woman, but with a towel wrapped firmly around my middle.
Cassian sat in a chair at a small round table. A pile of clothes lay on the top. He was reading a book, but looked up at my entrance. A smile slipped onto his lips. He set the book down and stood. “Good evening, my lovely bride.”
“You’re going to get us both in trouble if you keep that up,” I scolded him as I made a beeline to the attire. There was a dress, a blouse, and some riding pants. I opted for the latter.
Cassian picked up the dress and let it unfold. The gown was of a lovely scarlet hue with a low neckline. “Wouldn’t you rather wear this?”
My eyes flickered between his eager face and the dress before I spun on my heels and sauntered back to the bathroom. “No.”
I firmly shut the door behind myself and quickly dressed. The clothes were a little loose, but otherwise were soft and comfortable. I emerged with my dignity intact, though my host was a little less cheerful.
He gestured to the door. “Would you like to see your quarters?”
“Most definitely.”
We slipped into the room, and I found it about a quarter the size of his sitting room. The space featured a small bed with a hope chest at the foot. A dresser and a full-length, stand-alone mirror finished the decor. Cassian nodded at an adjoining door. “That’s your bathroom. I’m afraid it’s rather smaller than mine.”
“I think I’ll get used to it,” I assured him as I moved over to the dresser. I opened one of the large drawers and inspected the empty contents. Something at the back caught my attention. “Um, Your Majesty?”
“If I am allowed to call you by your first name, then I would prefer if you still called me Cassian,” he gently scolded me.
“How long has this room been unoccupied?”
“Five years. Since my father passed. His valet occupied this room, but I haven’t found a need for such company.”
I pinched that something at the back of the dresser between two fingers and turned to face him. A pristine, short black sock hung from my fingertips. Not a speck of dust could be seen on the fine linen. “Does your staff even dust the forgotten socks?”
Cassian cleared his throat and held out his hand. “I’ll be sure that it finds its mate.”
I draped the sock over his palm. “I’m sure Felix would be grateful. He was the person in this room, wasn’t he?”
Cassian wrapped his fingers around the sock and cleared his throat. “Yes, well, I’ve learned to dress myself, anyway.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “You didn’t have to dispossess your manservant just for me.”
He lifted both eyebrows, and there was a twinkle in his eyes. “Shouldn’t I have?”
A faint blush accented my cheeks, but I put my foot down. Literally. “No, you shouldn’t have.”
“If not for you, then whom?”
“Nobody! He’s your manservant!”
“And he obeys my orders.”
“That’s not the point!”
Our little conversation on decorum was interrupted by a knock on the door. “Your Highness?”
Cassian sighed. “Come in.”
