“Yes, Eviana is back with her parents.”
“Excellent.” Margosha lowered her voice. “Thank you for coming back. We need all the help we can get.”
“I’m concerned about you tasting Her Majesty’s food and drink. It could be dangerous.”
Margosha’s eyes softened. “You’re a sweet girl. But I believe you’re the brave one. Silas told me how you hitched a ride with a dragon.”
Gwennore snorted. “Not that brave. I was clinging to Puff for dear life.”
“Puff?”
“The dragon who saved me and brought me here.”
“You named him Puff?” Margosha’s mouth twitched. “I can’t imagine him liking that.”
“You know him?”
“Of course. Come. Let me show you to your room.” Margosha led her toward the double doors.
Gwennore glanced back at the western wing. “I was over there before. In the nursery.”
“Yes, but you’re not playing the role of a nanny this time.” Margosha opened the doors. “I had all your clothing moved over here.”
“I see.” Gwennore followed her up a flight of stairs. This wing was much more decorated than the western one. Portraits lined the walls, and every now and then a small table was topped with a vase full of flowers.
“The royal apartments and those of all the ladies-in-waiting are here in the southern wing,” Margosha explained as she led her down a corridor. “It’s warmer and Her Majesty enjoys having a view of the garden.”
Gwennore nodded. She would need to investigate the garden. Whoever was poisoning the queen could be using some of the plants that were growing there.
“You must be tired from the journey. A nice hot bath is what you need.” Margosha opened a carved wooden door on the left. “I’m afraid it’s not one of the best rooms. You’ll only have a view of the courtyard.”
“That’s quite all right.” Gwennore stepped inside and her mouth dropped open. The bedchamber was huge and richly furnished. The bed, with four massive posts of carved oak, was set up on a dais and surrounded by curtains of shimmering red silk. A coverlet of red velvet spread across the wide expanse of the bed.
Across from the bed, a fire burned in a hearth of polished pink marble. Two chairs, upholstered in red velvet, sat in front of the hearth. Between the two chairs, a delicately carved wooden table rested, topped with a vase of pink glass that held a dozen red roses.
“Will it do?” Margosha asked.
“It’s beautiful,” Gwen murmured as her slippers sank into a thick red carpet.
Margosha smiled. “I’m so glad you like it.” She motioned to the red velvet curtains across the room. “The windows overlooking the courtyard are there. Now, let me show you the dressing room.” She strode toward a door to the left of the hearth.
Inside, Gwennore gawked at the size of the marble tub. Across from it, shelves lined a wall.
“I put all your gowns and clothing there.” Margosha motioned to the shelves, then to a dressing table. “And I made sure you would have everything you need.”
“Thank you.” Gwennore ran her fingers over a silver hairbrush and toothbrush.
“I heated up some water for you.” Margosha lifted a kettle off a small stove, then poured it into the tub. Steam rose into the air. “Your maid will keep this stove hot, so you can have hot water whenever you want.”
“My maid?”
Margosha nodded. “Nissa asked to be your maid. Is that all right?”
“Yes.” Gwennore turned on a faucet and marveled at the water that gushed into the tub. “This is so amazing.”
“You don’t have that in Eberon?”
Gwennore shook her head.
“It’s nice, but unfortunately, the water is always cold.” Margosha filled the kettle again and placed it on the stove. “Shall I call Nissa for you?”
“I can manage, if you’ll help with the laces.”
“Of course.” Margosha motioned for her to turn around. “Did you know I was there when Sorcha was born? She was such a beautiful baby.”
Gwennore sighed. “She’s still beautiful.” And I miss her already.
“Did Silas get to see her?”
“Yes.”
“That’s good.” Margosha tsked. “You poor thing. Your back is bruised.”
“It happened when Puff caught me.”
“You need a nice long soak. There, finished.”
“Thank you.” Gwennore slipped out of her gown and draped it on the back of the chair by her dressing table.
“I’ll leave you alone then.” Margosha headed for the bedchamber door. “And I’ll send Nissa to you in about an hour.”
“Thank you.” Gwennore noticed another door on the far side of the shelves. “Where does that door lead to?”
Margosha paused halfway into Gwennore’s bedchamber. “Another dressing room. It belongs to Silas, of course.”
“What?” Gwennore stiffened.
“His bedchamber is next door to yours,” Margosha explained with an amused look on her face. “It’s the best way to convince everyone that you’re lovers.”
“But—but we’re not.” Gwennore ran over to the door. There was no lock! She turned back to Margosha, but the woman had left.
Good goddesses. Gwennore cracked open the door. It was dark inside. She closed it, then wedged a chair under the knob. Then she shoved the dressing table up against the door.
With a wary glance at the blocked door, she slipped out of her shift. Her skin pebbled with gooseflesh, and she glanced down at herself. Her breasts felt full and heavy, the nipples tightened into hard buds. Because she was cold, she thought. Not because she was wondering what Silas would think of her.
Are you willing to hear exactly how much I want you? His words echoed in her mind.
She unbraided her hair and let the long, white-blond tresses hang loose to her narrow waist. Lovers.
Don’t think about him.
She climbed into the tub and sighed as the heated water caressed her skin.
I’m tempted to do every damned thing I’ve been imagining.
She shuddered. No doubt Silas had a very healthy imagination. She glanced at the blocked door.
What would happen if she left the door open? Did she dare?
Chapter Eleven
Silas and Dimitri headed across the courtyard for the king’s offices
