There was relief that I hadn’t fallen for a true rebel. But there was also something else. Something like grief. I couldn’t explain it. And honestly, I didn’t even want to try. I simply wanted to take a bath, go to sleep, and pretend that my problems didn’t exist.
The servants, a tall man and a short, squat woman, led us up silver-carpeted staircases and down corridors with more sapphire chandeliers and seastone candelabra. At last, we came to a set of doors that led to apartments.
Of course, Oliver and I would be separated. That only made sense. Especially since he was a common male and I was a royal female.
But it had been two months that we’d slept side by side. We’d kept watch over each other at night and pressed against each other in the cold. He had protected me. And I had protected him. And before we ever set out on this journey we had only been a wall away from each other.
When the woman opened the door to my chambers, my heart thumped in protest. I couldn’t be separated from Oliver. He was the only thing I knew for certain. He was my only friend. My only real ally.
I turned to him as he crossed the hallway. “This is strange, Oliver the Silent.”
He rubbed his eyes and fought through a yawn. “But, my dear Tessana, in this too, we shall prevail.” Then he stuck his tongue out at me.
Apparently, I was the only one that felt any sentimentality toward our quest.
Crossing the threshold into my own rooms, I felt a little of what Oliver must have felt. The guest chambers were as stylish as the rest of the palace. In the center of one room sat an enormous four-poster bed. The bedding was of the finest silk, embroidered in Soravale’s colors. The furniture was crafted from the gleaming black cedars just across the border.
A massive seastone fireplace took up one wall. A fire had already been started and made the room warm and inviting.
The main room opened up to a balcony that overlooked the Crystal Sea. The Soravalian palace was built directly into the cliffs so that the balcony reached out over the water itself. And the sparkling salted mist danced across the horizon, making it shimmer, making it seem like I was looking into the reflection of the sea and not the sea itself.
“A hot bath is waiting for you, Your Majesty,” the servant said with a stiff bob of a curtsy while she started forward to help me undress.
“No, thank you. I am quite capable of bathing myself.” She did not look convinced, but I didn’t need to convince her. Maybe if I’d had the luxurious life of a royal I would need help, but there had been no one to bathe me at the Temple. Or dress me. Or coddle me in any way. “Are there clothes?”
She bobbed again and opened the door to a wardrobe where nightclothes and undergarments hung. “The seamstress was called in as soon as the messenger arrived. These are what she had in her stores, but there will be more tomorrow. His Highness has spared no expense.”
I turned away. “That is very kind of him.” I hated charity. And I hated even more that Hugo’s charity had to stretch to my undergarments. I would have to pacify myself with paying him back. With interest.
I looked at the wardrobe. What exactly was the interest on brassieres?
“Will you be needing anything else, my lady?”
I turned to the plump woman, wondering how to respond like a royal. “I don’t think so.” I told her. She stared at me without moving. I nibbled on my bottom lip before I came up with, “That will be all. Thank you.”
She disappeared into the hall, shutting the door behind her. I followed, anxious to lock it and be done with the night, the day, all of the days before now.
The lock clicked into place and for the first time since before Father Garius had shown me the lost crown, I felt safe.
I didn’t know whether Haemon would be standing guard outside all night or if he’d only been jesting with me. But I hoped he’d been telling the truth.
Now that I was with allies again, I realized the danger of enemies. I wouldn’t have minded at all if the Soravalian royal guard decided to make a permanent camp outside the door.
A tray of food had been left near the fire. After setting my satchel down where I could keep an eye on it, I picked up Shiksa and gave her a dinner of rich toasts slathered in spiced butter and a small helping of potatoes and green roots. Once she had her fill, I made a bed for her near the fire and left her to sleep off her meal.
It was time to take care of me.
My bath was as perfect as I’d hoped it would be. For the first time in months every last bit of me was scrubbed red and spotless. I even smelled good.
I stayed submerged in the blue water until it grew cold, then I stepped onto a rug made of white fur and wrapped myself in a lavish robe. I had not felt luxury like this in as long as I could remember. I stood there drinking in each second until the fur at my feet started to move.
“Shiksa!” I squeaked. “You scared me half to death.” I scooped her up and cradled her against the down of my robe. She yawned her reply and stretched in my arms. Her tiny claws snagged at my robe and her clear green eyes blinked up at me.
“Are you afraid to be alone?”
She stretched her neck and mewled. I walked from the bath into the main living room, deciding that just for tonight she could sleep with me in that huge bed.
“I suppose Oliver isn’t the only sleeping companion I’ve had for the last few weeks.”
“Are
