Kaily didn't blame him for lack of words or his look of bewilderment. She didn't know what to say or how to act.
He stepped closer to her, but not within reach. She preferred he kept his distance. She couldn't take him down if he were to turn on her with intent to harm, and not just because of the sword he wore.
"Did your visit go well with your sire?" He asked, and then belatedly added, "Mistress."
Kaily's frown depended.
"I only ask as we were not expecting your return for another fortnight." He said.
"Ummm," Kaily managed. She couldn't take her eyes off him. One she wanted to keep distance between them, and two she wanted to figure out what the hell this was all about. Why was he acting like he knew her?
She kept her gaze locked on him as he walked over to a decorative crafted wooden chest at the foot of a canopy bed and opened the lid. Like the furniture in the library, all the furniture in the bedchamber appeared to be made of mahogany. The bedchamber contained more furniture than the library including two ornately carved cushioned chairs and table in front of a hearth. Next, he went to the wardrobe, opened it, and took something out that he draped over his arm on top of the other stuff he removed from the chest at the foot of the bed. He turned back to Kaily. "The serving women will be back with food and drink in short order. You must be tired after your long journey. I will place these," he indicated the items he held, "in the bathing chamber for you to change into after your bath."
Kaily didn't reply. She watched as he went through yet another door in the room. She glanced around the room. There was a total of three other doors beside the one she came through, and an alcove, if it could be call such. Shutters blocked out view of she thought might be the only window in the room. Her attention snapped back to the man as he reentered the room. The room and library were luxurious but dark. Neither were rooms she would find comfort within their walls.
"It will take the serving women time to draw your bath. Time enough for you to enjoy your repast I would imagine." He said as he piled wood into the hearth and started a fire. He pushed up a lever near the top of the hearth. "Both chambers will be warm before too long."
"Thank you," Kaily managed speaking the language of her childhood for the first time in a very long time. It felt odd to speak it again.
He stood and turned towards her. He stared at her for a moment longer before speaking. "Will you be here long?"
"Ummm." Kaily still couldn't find words. What she wanted to say, hell no, but it would mean she knew how she got there in the first place, and how to get out of there.
Before either of them said anything else, the serving women returned with a platter of what looked like cheese, bread and a stemming bowl of something. The tray also held a goblet and pitcher. They placed the items on the table, poured something into the goblet from the pitcher, and then with a curtsy went to the bathing chamber the man took the garments to.
The male didn't speak to her or them but stepped up behind a chair as if he were going to pull it out for her, which didn't appear to be necessary considering the chair stood next to the table not pushed into it. It wouldn't fit pushed into the table. He looked at her expectantly.
Kaily glanced back at the door she came through and then back at him. A small, amused smile crossed his lips for a split second then disappeared. He indicated the meal with a nod of his head. She sighed and pushed off the door she leaned against. She thought she might not be given a choice. She couldn't think of any other option to consider. She sat in the chair he stood behind. He stepped around to face her. He studied her for a moment longer before picking up the goblet and handed it to her.
"Thank you," Kaily said.
He glanced towards the open door of the bathing chamber before he leaned in close to her ear.
Kaily's breath caught in her throat and she almost dropped the goblet. The goblet would be on the floor if not for his quick reflexes which steadied it.
"There is no need to thank your servant Jaren, or the serving woman, Mistress." Again, he added the Mistress part as an afterthought. Jaren straightened and looked at her as if waiting for a response.
Kaily nodded once.
"Is there anything else you require, Mistress?" He asked in a louder voice.
She suspected he spoke loudly on purpose so the women in the bathing chamber heard him. "Nay," Kaily said.
He mouthed a different phrase and waited.
Kaily repeated the words he mouthed aloud, she hoped.
He gave her a nod and then took his place by the door as if to guard it.
Kaily looked back at Jaren, but he no longer looked at her. In fact, he acted as if she no longer existed or at least that's how it felt to her. She turned her attention to the food the women brought for her and felt her stomach protest. She thought she might not be able to keep any of it down. She felt queasy from her nerves and fear. She smelled the contents of the goblet and tasted a little before she placed the goblet back on the table. It tasted okay, but she knew her stomach would reject the sustenance. She picked up a piece of bread nibbled on it while she stared into the flames of the fire blazed in
