“It does appear that whoever cares for this place made sure that it was stocked. We shouldn’t really want for anything.” Ellis knew how odd it was to just accept that they had been provided for, but he was too grateful to question it.
They fell into a comfortable silence while they finished up their meal. Ellis had Rivka rest near the fire while he cleaned up the kitchen. Night had fallen while they ate, the moon shining bright through the window. It was quiet here. No bustling of attendants or guards. Just the occasional call of a night bird. Once everything was righted again, he made his way back into the main space, finding Rivka curled up asleep in one of the oversized chairs, a book open on her lap.
He gently scooped her up in his arms, her head falling against his chest as she let out a contented sigh. Her body was lax with sleep. He made his way into the bedroom, softly kicking the door closed behind him, before laying her on the bed. She snuggled immediately into her pillow, burrowing into the blanket that he threw over her. Rounding the bed, he climbed in next to her, letting out a big sigh as his whole body relaxed into the softness of the mattress. He rolled, pulling Rivka against him, his arm wrapped around her waist, his fingers spread out over her stomach. A sudden flurry of kicks bumped under his palm, as if the babe was saying goodnight too. They could be content here until the time came.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Sword And Dagger
Alex
At least one benefit came from each province hosting the Treaty Ball every five years. Alex had catalogued and taken account of the main areas in each palace. She shifted up a second stairway. After this next level, she would have exhausted her knowledge of the Rune palace, but it wasn’t hard to figure out where to go once she reached the top.
Vivian loved nothing more than splendor and riches. Follow the gold and gems and she’d be right where she needed to be. Evading the staff had been child’s play; they were all so focused on their jobs, heads down, eager to please, no one took notice of her. It had been only too easy to wait for the laundry cart to move by at the back entrance and follow behind it, snag a dusky gray servant’s dress from the top, and duck into a garderobe. Changing quickly, she had stuffed her leathers into her pack before jamming it behind a washbasin. She didn’t liketaking the risk of leaving it behind but it would be too noticeable to carry with her. The satchel at her side, however, was at least the same color as the dress, so it might be enough to blend in.
For a palace ripe with jewels and finery, they needed better security, not that she was complaining. The corridor she walked in was wide and spacious. Her instincts had her wanting to skim the walls and stay hidden, but she forced herself to mimic the other servants, sticking to the middle of the corridor. She walked, head down, with the bucket and scrub brush she had taken from the garderobe. Her eyes downcast, she looked sidelong as she passed rooms on either side.
His bedchamber had to be close; Vivian wouldn’t want her prized son far from her. She would have to try a door though, and hoped that Fari was looking down on her. The first two doors led to empty chambers, strange that the rooms were all unlocked and seemingly abandoned. The third, however, opened to a sitting room with two chairs and a chaise lounge inlaid with mother of pearl, and half a dozen pillows. The room appeared as vacant as the others but Alex sensed that she was not alone. Moving through the sitting room into the main bedchamber, she took in the massive canopy bed, rumpled sheets and blankets in disarray. To her left, a door was cracked open; slight noises reaching her ears. Sliding closer to the opening, she peeked inside.Perfect.A sinister smile eased across her face as she boldly swung the door open.
A high pitched scream ripped from Tristan, causing Alex to giggle, casually flipping a dagger in her hand.
“How did you get in here?” Tristan demanded, standing in a large claw foot tub, dripping wet, water sloshing over the side from his sudden standing position, his sword brandished in her direction.
When had he picked up his blade? Who even bathes with a sword anyway? The man could move fast, I’ll give him that.
Running her gaze up and down Tristan’s nakedness, Alex teased, “Hmm, for your future wife’s sake, let’s hope you’re a grower, not a shower.”
Tristan only chuckled at the insult, not seeming to give a shit that he was naked, standing in a bathtub before her.
“You lower your weapon and I’ll lower mine.” Alex offered, raising her eyebrow. “I only want to talk.”
Tristan answered her statement with his own raised eyebrow. “Believe me, myweaponisn’t raised.” He tossed back, but lowered his sword to his side.
He slowly stepped out of the tub, pointedly staring at Alex’s dagger still flipping in her hand. She heaved a sigh and slipped it back into her boot. Crossing her arms, she watched as Tristan grabbed his towel, wrapping it around himself, and sauntered back into his bedchamber, his wide shoulders and tapered waist on full display.
Good Gods. I would never stab a man in the back but Tristan is making me rethink my morals on that front.
“So are you here to stab me in my back or...” Tristan said, dropping his towel.
“If I was going to stab you in the back, I would have done it already.” She replied, not bothering to avert her gaze as he stepped into his pants, with no undergarments at all. She really wanted to kick him in his begrudgingly well-sculpted ass.
“If you aren’t here to stab me, then get on with it. There are people more important than you who need my attention.”
Alex curled her lip, baring her teeth. “I think you know exactly why I’m here.”
“You aren’t here looking for your runaway queen, are you? Because she isn’t here.” He gestured across the room to his giant bed.
Her whole body stiffened, hands clenching into fists as she stalked towards him. “Do not mention Rivka in your bed again. You were a mistake that should never have happened.”
Shock pulsed across Tristan’s face, stilling his hands where he buttoned his shirt.
“Why do you give a shit who warms your queen's bed. That is surely none of your concern. It is never a mistake to enjoy the pleasure of a woman’s body, drawing out her moans, hearing her scream my name.”
Alex’s anger snapped. She lunged at Tristan, fists flying. He let her hit him, once, twice, the second splitting his bottom lip. On the third swing, he caught her fist in his hand, halting her attack. They were inches from each other, the unleashed fury in Alex’s eyes unabated. Tristan leaned in and quietly whispered in her ear.
“That is enough.”
She jerked her hand, attempting to get out of his grasp, desperately fending off the tears that pooled in her eyes. Tristan had gone icy, his emotions frozen on his face, just watching her as she struggled to gain control of herself.
