“He likes you.”
“He does? That’s not the impression I got from him.”
“Nellie told us what you said to Andromeda.” A ghost of a smile crossed his lips. “That won him over.”
“What I said to Andromeda got me killed,” I pointed out.
“Don’t regret showing your strength of heart. It took courage and conviction. It showed that you will never turn into one of them. And I am so sorry I ever feared you would.”
“Oh, Kalen.” Sighing, I reached up and traced the line of his strong jaw. “You don’t need to apologize. I would have feared the same thing, too. You lost your mother to their madness. You went to war against their puppet of a king. Of course you were going to fear I’d lose myself to that power just like they did.”
“I’m your mate. It’s inexcusable.”
We reached the door to the bathing chambers, though calling it a ‘chamber’ would be overstating it by a mile. It was a closet only big enough to hold a small bronze tub. A gemstone lantern lit the space, revealing the cobwebs drenching every corner. After I pulled off my clothes and climbed into the tub, Kalen squeezed inside and shut the door. The soothing water lapped against my tired, aching body. I sighed and relaxed into it.
“This is smaller than I expected,” he said. His body did take up almost all the space, him being as tall and broad as he was.
“We’re lucky to even have a bath. Most of the homes in Teine don’t. Want to join me?”
He chuckled. “I can’t fit in there with you.”
I looked at him, then looked at the bath. My knees were pulled up to my chest as it was.
Smiling, I said, “I have a better use for you, then. Find a job for the others so—”
“Already taken care of,” he said gruffly. “They’re doing the rounds to check on all the humans who have returned to their homes here in Teine. Then they’re heading into Albyria to help Toryn. We’re to join them when you feel up to it.”
My chest warmed at the implication. But then I laughed. “You could have kept the door open.”
“Oh.” He smiled. “Instincts took over. You’re my mate. I can’t handle the thought of anyone else seeing you naked.”
I blushed and extracted the soap from the shelf beside the tub. “No one’s going to see me but you. You can relax.”
He nodded, but nothing about his posture said relaxed. My ‘death’ had brought something out of him. Kalen had always been protective of me, even when we’d been at odds. But there was a ferocity to him now. He looked ready to rip apart anyone who so much as looked at me.
I used my rag to shoo him out the door. “I’ll be done in a few minutes.”
He finally relented and left the bathing chambers, though he kept the door open. I could hear him moving down the hallway, his boots thudding heavily on the creaking floor. As I washed away the sweat and blood, a rustling sound drifted toward me. It was soon followed by creaks and thuds. What in the name of light was he doing out there?
After I washed, I eased back and soaked in the cooling water for a few extra moments. My muscles unwound, and my breath steadied. The sounds from down the hallway soon quieted, and a luxurious, peaceful silence cocooned me. I dipped my head below the water after unbraiding my hair, and the last remnants of the battle with Andromeda released their grip on my skin.
I knew I would never be the same. The trauma from that day would dog my steps for the rest of my life. I would never forget the pain from when she’d dragged her nail across my skin. Echoes of it flared across my neck even now. But I had survived. I was still here, even if her power had been the thing to bring me back.
She’d tried to rid herself of me, but I would not go down that easily.
I was not done fighting.
After towelling off, I padded down the hallway, leaving wet footprints in my wake. I poked my head into my bedroom, half-expecting to find it empty. But Kalen was sitting on the bed surrounded by a pile of my hand-carved daggers.
He gave me an amused smile. “I know I shouldn’t be surprised to find a stash of weapons in your closet when searching for some clean blankets, but here we are.” He motioned at the whittled blades. “How long did it take you to make these? Were they all meant for King Oberon?”
I nibbled on my bottom lip, a little embarrassed. “I did imagine him on the receiving end, yes.”
“You should decorate the wall with them.”
“Actually, I was going to hand these out to the other Teine residents,” I said, moving over to the bed. “I thought of it before, when we still had the gemstones and thought the gods would attack at any moment. I realize these things wouldn’t do much in a real fight, but at least it’s better than nothing. Thought it might give them a little comfort, a little hope. They’ve been through a lot.”
“It isn’t a bad idea. Hope is a powerful thing.” He patted his lap, a feral glint in his eye. “Come sit on me, love. Without the towel.”
