“Don’t,” I blurted. “Please, you’ll only make it worse. He would come after me sooner or later. He would probably save it for after you leave.” Aegir stiffened, then blinked at me. A blink of what seemed like surprise, and that was answer enough. He understood that what I said was true. Although I wasn’t sure what he meant bythis ends now. After all, to what extent would a merciless brute take it?
The next crude and cold words gave me clarity. “Later?” He scoffed. “He fucking touched you. Let me assure you that I don’t plan on letting him l—”
I knew what he was going to say. I knew the end of that sentence, but I did not allow him to finish that one final word. I felt pathetic, really, but I couldn’t allow it to come out of his mouth. My grip on the handle tightened.
“No.” I made an effort to hide my emotions, mainly my fear. I admit it, I—I feared him sometimes. But not all of the time, no; most of the time I had different thoughts about him. Then I gave him a warm smile and said, softly but firmly, “Aegir, as much as it is tempting to watch you run around the castle wearing nothing but a towel, I’d rather you let it go.Please.”
I didn’t think that I managed to hide my emotions very well. I could tell that my face betrayed me. I knew it displayed the same look that I had the day I pushed Sabriela into his arms, and the night I yanked my arm in fear of him freezing it. I think he saw it, too. Because his face also portrayed a look that I had already seen. The same expression it carried when I apologised to Sabriela. The same one when I told him I wanted to return to my room at the inn. The identical trace of disheartenment in his eyes.
Aegir’s gaze left mine, and he stared at the door with glaring eyes and flared nostrils. His next exhale was long and misty. My brow scrunched. Then he shook his head and strode towards the bathing chamber, fists balled at his side. He mumbled something beneath his breath that I couldn’t quite catch.
My back was still to the door when I felt its knocks. I jerked. When I opened it, Mounir stood at the doorway.
Too close.
“Nothing went missing from his tray, I hope.” Mounir spoke under his breath, but I knew his words were fraught with apprehension. I shook my head. “And what are you still doing here?” His raspy words came with frowning lips, as if my mere presence disgusted him. “Go to the laundry room. Do not come out until you serve Lord Hailin his dinner.”
I only nodded. I didn’t dare tell him that Aegir was having dinner elsewhere, with…what did he say his name was? Eldric, his second. I didn’t want to stay locked in that horrible place until very late.
Aegir’s voice came from somewhere behind me. “Ah, Mr. Mounir! Just the man I wanted to see.” I forced my brows not to wrinkle at his tone. I stepped aside, puzzled by Aegir’s grin.
“What can I do for you, Lord Hailin?”
“Tonight, my second, Captain Eldric Frager, will be joining me for a very important and confidential dinner. We haven’t seen each other in a long time and we have much to discuss.”
“I would offer you my own service, but I will be serving the king himself for a family dinner until late tonight. You see, today is Princess Maryam’s birthday. But if there is anything in particular that you would like to request for this important dinner, just let me know.”
Aegir nodded, wearing a smile. “Yes, I do, actually. I would like her to serve our food in this room, right before sunset.”
“Take note, Delia,” Mounir ordered.
Aegir looked my way and continued. “Captain Frager is a big male with an even bigger appetite, so don’t be shy with the portions. And please bring everything at once. I prefer our conversation not to be much interrupted.”
I nodded, lips pursed. “Understood, Lord Hailin.” Although I didn’t—not really. I was about to say my good days and leave, but Aegir spoke some more.
“Mr. Mounir, a strange request, perhaps, but please keep in mind that we do things differently where I’m from. Normally, important dinners entail entertainment, music, and nice-smelling ladies in tasteful attire.”
“I can ask for a musician to come play in your room. Oh, and I can send two of our lovely lady companions for the both of you.”
“Mmm, no. I would like us to have a quiet dinner. But could you perhaps allow her to take a proper bath and maybe allow her to wear something less…dull? You know, something for the noseand the eyes. I do not want my most trusted man, who happens to have a very keen sense of smell, to feel…displeased.”
My cheeks heated at the implication; it caused my cracked skin to prickle. My eyes shied away.
Was that what he had in mind when he rumbledthis ends now?
“Delia, go tell Farah to fetch you a clean dress for tonight, then go to the laundry room. For today only, you may use the servants’ chamber. Then prepare everything according to Lord Hailin’s wishes. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Mr. Mounir.”
CHAPTER 21
Don’t get me wrong, I was very grateful to have access to a water-trough-converted-to-a-bath on a daily basis. It was much better than the traditional half bucket of water. But I swore nothing felt better in this godsdamned world than a proper bath. It hadn’t been that long since I’d had one—three actually, when we were at the Dunehaven inn.
I poured the citrusy soap vial into a brim-filled bath before submerging myself. Then I scrubbed myself head to toe. Twice. I reached for another vial, scoffing at the word Aegir used in relation to my smell—displeased.
I hugged my knees, my gaze drifting to the bag Farah had given me earlier. Her words made me curious about its contents, but I hadn’t yet dared to peek inside.
“I figured that for such a rare occasion and for what we—you—have to endure,” she said softly, her hand at my chin, moving my face left to right, “I thought I’d find you something…well…lovely. I also took the liberty of finding you a cloak and a pair of shoes.” A small wave of excitement had hit me at the word “shoes” and my eyes glittered. I hoped that they would fit and be comfortable, and that I would never be asked to return them. Ever. A little flicker of hope that I quickly suppressed. “Oh, and do not wear the dress in front of the three princesses of Lady Nadania. I suspect it was one of theirs, never picked up from the seamstress,” Farah warned.
