Page 49

“What I did.” My laugh is cynical and hollow. “The law states a servant’s life is only worth the debt they owe. My old madam could have killed me, and the only consequence would have been a debt still owed to the Crown that would have been left for my sister to pay via debt inheritance. She was considered merciful for letting me live.”

“This . . . This was merciful?” His fingers still trace the scars on my back.

Tears prick my eyes. “I burned her . . .”

“You what? Why would you do that?” His hand stops moving for a moment.

“She tried to sell my sister to a brothel in one of the underbelly markets.” My eyes hit the shower floor, remembering the sharp sting of being whipped.

“How old were you?” His anger rolls off him in waves. I try to look away, but he snatches my chin, forcing my gaze back to him. “How old were you?”

My lips tremble as I answer. “Fourteen.” A strange look crosses his face as he lets me go. If I didn’t know any better, I would believe it is shock.

His fingers slide into my hair, gently turning me into the spray of water. His entire body presses flush against my back. Every naked inch of him. “My intention is not to hurt you,” he says, low and quiet. “At least never deliberately like this. Not unless you force my hand,” He runs a finger down the deepest scar on my back again.

My legs nearly fold beneath me. Every bruise on my back flares with pain, heat, pressure, and a thrill of terror that leaves me dizzy.

His mouth is so close his lips brush my ear with his words. “I want her name,” he murmurs, reaching past me for something.

“Whose name?”

“Your old madam!” he growls.

“Dahlia Penshurst. She owns a boutique in town,” I answer, wondering how much trouble I’m in. Does he know her? Will this ruin my chance to get Sable back?

He lathers his hands in shampoo, and it smells heavenly, far better than the dry soap Madam Claudia gave us to wash with. His fingers tangle in my hair once more while I remain rooted to the spot.

A king, washing a servant, careful and kind. The absurdity of it has me on edge. Every muscle in my body is locked tight, and I want nothing more than to flee from this entire situation. But I know better. If I bolt, he’ll catch me, which may provoke him. So I stand, shivering, as his hands massage soap into my hair.

“She won’t hurt you again,” he murmurs so low that I almost miss it. His face gives nothing away as I peek over my shoulder at him.

Once he’s done, he rinses my hair, working his fingers through the tangles like he has all the time in the world. Like he’s not naked, and I’m not terrified of him.

When he’s satisfied, he shuts off the water and climbs out, water cascading off his skin. He’s all hard muscle, and I force my eyes to the wall as he reaches for a towel. He dries himself with the same efficiency he used to wash me, then wraps the towel around his waist. Only then does he toss another one toward me.

“Come,” he says.

I step out on shaking legs, wrapping the towel around myself. It barely reaches my thighs.

He leads me back into the main chamber, and I’m halfway to the bed when the door opens.

Eagan steps inside, arms full of folded clothes. He takes in the scene—me in nothing but a towel, the king half-dressed, but his expression doesn’t change.

“Clothes, sire,” Eagan says smoothly.

“No,” Kylian says, and my stomach drops. “I’ve changed my mind. She can have the clothes in the morning.”

I stare at him. “What? No. I agreed to go with you. I agreed—”

“I want to ensure she doesn’t try to run while we sleep,” he continues, as if I haven’t spoken. “And she won’t do that naked.” King Kylian moves to a table and scribbles on a piece of paper.

“That doesn’t make any sense,” I snap, panic clawing up my throat. “I already promised I’d come with you. I don’t need to be—”

He simply shrugs, passing his note to Eagan. “Handle that. I will deal with it once home,” King Kylian states, turning away to pull on a shirt.

Eagan’s eyes flick to me with the smallest hint of sympathy before he nods and leaves to tend to the task given.

I move after him, but the door closes in my face with a soft click.