Ofcoursehe wanted to see her room. Isahn wanted to see how she’d decorated; he wanted to know everything about her.She floated back through the sitting room and through the final doorway, him following like a dog on her heels.
Again, he was assaulted by color. This room was perfect. Another gorgeous ceiling, painted with hazy clouds and sparkling stars, reminded him of the space mirage she was so fond of. A sunshine yellow desk stood out amongst the other furniture, all blue and white.
“This is amazing, George. Your taste is amazing.”
“Are you teasing me? I know it’s a little...” she trailed off as she came to stand in front of Isahn to peer into his eyes.
“Wild? Exuberant? Outlandish? Colorful? I can keep going.”
“Oh, please do.” Reaching forward, she placed a palm on his forearm, and gooseflesh erupted over his skin.
“I’ve never seen functional furniture and art combined so skillfully. The colors, the textures, the patterns. Is the rest of the palace like this?”
She shook her head. “Just here. It’s my escape.”
“It feels like a home, and given all you’ve told me, that’s a feat in itself. The character in every detail is... it’s astonishing, Georgie.”Just like you,he wanted to add. But he didn’t want to scare her off so early on.
Her cheeks turned ruddy at his compliments, and henearlyleaned in to kiss her. But,gods,he needed to bathe.
“Is there a washroom I can use?” he asked.
“Oh, of course. I didn’t even show you yours, come.” George dragged him across thetablinium, back to his room.
His bathing chamber featured an enormous tub and a unique sink made from a wild-edged slab of wood, its bowl carved from a sparkly gray stone. The wallpaper, green leaves and colorful birds, matched the natural design.
“No baths like at the villas?”
“There are, but I refuse to use them here at the palace. I’m not sure I trust the water...”
Isahn chuckled.
“If you hold tight, I’ll have Eanraig send up a bath.”
“Yehn-ric?” Isahn tested out the young faerie’s name on his tongue, trying to roll the R as George had done.
“Close enough. You can always call him Ean.” She gestured to the basin and basket beside it. “Use anything you want. When you’re done, come find me. I’m going to do the same as you. I’ll be in the sitting room or my chamber when I’m clean.” George winked, the washroom door closed, and she was gone.
Isahn stood in silence for a few minutes, half staring at himself in the mirror, half unfocused as his mind whirled. The past few weeks had been insane—which was swiftly becoming his favorite word.
An enormous splash cut through the silence, like someone had dumped out a whole trough of water. Spinning, he found the tub steaming and full.
Fucking faeries.It was similar to watercoursing, but the thing simply filled all at once instead of pushing in through taps.Astonishing magic.
Based on the way their heavy boxes had been perfectly stacked in George’s sitting area—by a one-foot-tall child—Isahn assumed fae magic included the ability to transport physical items from place to place. He’d have to ask George for more information. A whole series of questions grew in his mind as he stripped off his trousers and divested himself of his linen tunic.
Do all fae have the same magic? How are pixies and elves different? What can theydo? How many are there?
Gods, he’d need to start taking notes so he could report back to his bookish best friend... once George was queen and those things could be shared. The more time he spent with her, the more certain he became that she should lead Domos, that shewouldlead Domos soon, and that she’d do a bang-up job of it, too.
Determined to hurry up and get clean so he could spend some alone time with the princess, Isahn stepped into the tub sideways while fumbling for a bar of soap in the basket on the window ledge. Something rough and scratchy latched onto his finger, and he screamed.
thirteen
George takes a bath.
Georgestoodbeforethemirror in her dressing gown, waiting for her bath to arrive and trying to recreate that look Wynnie gave men. She was just asking herself whether she needed to learn it, when atinkleandsplashindicated Ean had filled her tub. Untying her belt, she stepped into her washroom, ready for the perfumed, steaming bath to wash away the dust from the city streets and soften the stress that tensed her tired muscles.
A scream sliced through the peace, snapping George from reverie. She flew through her room and sitting room, heading for the terrified shout that undoubtedly came from Isahn. She hoped to the gods that no one loyal to her father had snuck in and found him.
