“Why, thank you. And how are you today?” Ellina bent to talk to the two girls, one of which seemed to be about three while the other was nearer to seven or eight cycles, as far as Ty could tell.
The youngest was shy and hid behind her grandmother’s legs but the older one came forth boldly and bowed low before Ellina.
“Thufar’s grace upon you, Your Highness,” she said in a high, sweet treble voice.
“And upon you, my dear.” Ellina smiled at her. “It’s so nice to see you here today. What’s your name?”
“I’m Tutti, Your Majesty and I wanted to bring you some flowers but you’re not supposed to bring anything into the Holy Mists and besides, the steam would make them wilt,” the little girl told her in a breathless rush. “My grandmum grows the biggest, prettiest orange and pink yalla blooms in all the world! When I see you at the Grand Promenade, I’ll bring you some then, though. I promise!”
“Will you now? I’ll look forward to that.” Ellina smiled at her and the girl smiled shyly back.
“You’re really pretty, Potentate,” she said. “I hope when I grow up, I look just like you!”
For some reason, this seemed to make Ellina sad. Or at least, her smile seemed to falter a bit though she nodded to the little girl and said,
“Why thank you, Tutti. That’s the nicest thing anyone has said to me all day.”
It was clear the eager little girl would have been happy to stay and chat all day, but Ty gave Natillus a pointed look. With a nod, Natillus started wrapping things up.
“Well now, it’s time to go and perform the private bathing,” he said loudly. “Is Your Majesty ready to go?”
“I suppose.” Ellina nodded once more at the little girl and cast a quick glance at Ty. He saw her nibble her lush lower lip—that habit she had when she was uncertain or embarrassed—and wondered if she was happy or displeased that her chewchie had chosen him. And what exactly did the bathing entail? Would she use a sponge or washcloth on him…or simply her bare hands?
The thought of those slim fingers sliding all over his body made him shiver with desire and he felt his shaft begin to rise, though he tried not to let it. Goddess, what exactly were they about to do together?
He supposed he would soon find out.
* * * * *
Ellina couldn’t believe the choice Lor had made.
Not that she was upset—she had been dreading this first Ritual of Humility almost from the moment of her coronation. It seemed so awkward—the idea of washing and oiling a perfect stranger during the private purification ceremony.
Her grandmother had always considered this a sacred rite and lectured her about how it showed that she was willing to serve her people. Ellina, of course, was very willing to serve them—just a little less willing to put her hands on the naked bodies of strangers.
But the big Kindred wasn’t a stranger, she thought with great relief as Natillus and Lambada led them away from the slowly dispersing crowd. He was a friend—a trusted confidant. She could trust him to protect her and keep her safe—what more could she want from a bodyguard?
Bodyguard with the emphasis on body ,whispered a little voice in her head. A body you’re shortly going to be rubbing all over as you cleanse and purify him with the holy foam and consecrated oils.
But would he want her to rub him all over—to touch him at all—when he saw the truth of what lay beneath her purification garments? Ellina wished she could hide behind them just a bit longer, but they must be removed once the ceremony moved into the private purification chamber—anything else would be considered blasphemy.
Her heart was pounding in her throat as Natillus led them back to her private purification chamber and opened the golden door with a sweeping gesture.
“Your Majesty,” he said with a low bow. “You may enter and perform the second part of the Ritual of Humility. Would you like myself or my wife to serve as your witness?”
“I…” Ellina licked lips that were much too dry before she could continue. “I don’t think that will be necessary. Thank you, Natillus,” she said at last. “Ty—I mean Commander Ty’rial and myself—will go into the chamber and perform the rest of the ritual alone.”
“As you wish, Your Highness. And thank you for allowing us to serve you today.” Natillus and Lambada both bowed low as Ty and Ellina entered her private purification chamber. It was a small room, the walls and floor covered in creamy ivory tiles. In the center of the floor was a drain and there were three separate golden faucets above three golden knobs on the far wall. It was, Ty thought, rather like a large walk-in shower.
And as the golden door closed behind them he raised his eyebrows at Ellina.
“Well? What now?”
Chapter Seventeen
“Now, this.” Ellina had a determined look on her face as she began to peel off the skin-tight purification garments with the strange printing of genitals on them.
“Ellina…” Ty put up a hand to stop her. “You don’t have to—”
“Yes, I do,” she said grimly. “It’s part of the ritual. Besides, you need to see who I really am before you decide if you want to let me do this—let me bathe you.”
Ty wanted to protest that he knew who she really was but he stopped in surprise, staring at what was being revealed.
As the top of her garments peeled up and away, he saw that Ellina had only two breasts—just the two. The middle one was gone—or else, it never had been there in the first place. Instead, there were
