Chapter 39

39

Ella

Clouds of steam wafted lazily around me as I stared at the soot-stained woman in the mirror. Apart from my telltale eyes, I hardly recognized myself. My hands were trembling from the shock of everything I'd seen.

The mages were real. Rather than prisoners, they had some kind of bargain with the prince. They seemed petty and cruel, far from the saviors I'd been suspecting, and now they were hunting me.

Why was the prince covering for me? His reasons didn't add up.

Was it desire? We'd kissed before, and his eyes had smoldered when he spoke of my scent. I absently brushed my fingertips across my lips. Did he know that his scent had the same effect on me?

I couldn't deny it. Not now, not after everything that had happened. The woods. Our ride together. The kiss at the falls. Covering my escape.

I desperately wanted him, and I knew he wanted me. But true or not, it was a dangerous path—one that could only lead to dark places.

Just get cleaned up and put him out of your mind. You have enough things to worry about.

The marble floors of the bath chamber warmed the soles of my feet. The chamber was even more extraordinary than Lorayna's. It had to be magic. I still wasn't sure what the tall, rectangular glass room in the corner was for, but its mosaic interior looked like a tapestry of the night sky.

Hot water gushed from a sweeping spout into the oversized copper tub. I'd dumped a generous helping of rose-scented bathing soap in the water, and bubbles crept precariously close to the tub's curved lip.

Glancing one more time at the closed door, I dropped my soiled clothes in a pile near the sink, then slowly lowered myself into the hot water with a sigh.

Luckily, most of the soot had stayed on my clothes, so the water wasn't instantly filthy. My aching muscles cried out in relief as I leaned back and dipped my shoulders under the suds.

Gods, this is divine.

What would make it even more divine were if the prince returned to bring me a towel. I peeked one eye open and spied the neat stack of fresh towels on the shelf. Okay, not a towel. Perhaps if I lingered in the bath too long, he'd come to check on me.

I sank beneath the water, relishing this brief moment of respite.

Yes, that was it. He'd step inside, feigning concern for my wellbeing, only to find me perfectly fine. He'd cross to the bath and kneel, and then, picking up the washcloth, he'd say, You've missed a few spots . He'd wet the washcloth and gently brush it along my collarbone, bringing it down between my breasts, then lower over my belly, dipping under the water until he found…

My eyes flew open, and I pressed my legs together, shame and surprise—and something I didn't want to name—burning through me.

It was madness. Maybe it was shock, or being saved, or maybe I'd hit my head climbing out of the chimney. It didn't matter. I couldn't permit myself such ludicrous and treacherous thoughts.

The kiss we'd shared had already been one too many.

I grabbed the washcloth that was neatly folded by the faucet and began vigorously scrubbing my arms with the lavender bath soap. After I erased all traces of soot, I turned to my hair and more pressing matters.

The mages.

Who were they? The prince had called them the Triad, and their authority seemed greater than his. Was that because he wasn't the king yet or because they really were more powerful? More troubling still, they said they'd known his grandfather. They couldn't be that old, could they? Immortal blood healed wounds, but could it also prolong life? Could they possibly be older than Cassius?

A deep unease settled over me as my father's history lessons came creeping back. The Uprising had been led by three mages…

It was impossible. They'd been captured and executed, so they couldn't be the same as the ones I'd seen in the garden. Besides, the stories had said that the mages had been on our side, and one thing I knew without having to be told was that the three I'd seen were not. Frankly, I doubted that they were on anyone's side but their own.

My head began to throb. I dipped beneath the bubbles, hoping the water would drown out the world and clear my mind, but it did neither. I scrubbed my head vigorously, washing out the dark dye Bianca had forced me to use. If only my troubles washed away so easily.

Halfway through my rinse, a door closed in the other room, and I froze. Had Cassius returned? Excitement thrummed down my spine.

I sat up and listened but heard nothing. Minutes passed, but the prince didn't appear, and so I finished rinsing the dye from my hair and unplugged the tub. The dark water swirled down the drain as I climbed out and dried off, then wrapped myself in a plush robe hanging on the opposite wall.

What would I have even done if the prince had strolled in?

"Don't be a fool, Ella," I muttered to myself in the mirror, combing my fingers through my damp hair. Silver once more. It was nice to look like myself again, and hopefully, this would protect me from the mages finding me. Thank the Fates that my hair had been a different color.

A small pang of disappointment fluttered in my chest when I stepped into the bedchamber and found it empty. Was I meant to strut around the castle in a bathrobe?

The answer lay on the bed.

Someone had arranged a crimson satin gown over the foot of the mattress. It had a heart-shaped neckline and delicate black lace embroidery along the bodice and full skirt. I strolled over, noticing a black silk chemise beside it.

My heart quickened as I inspected the chemise. The evil sisters had garments like this, but I couldn't imagine most people actually wore them.

Courtesans did.

The implications of that thought both terrified and thrilled me.

Checking that the doors were locked, I dropped my robe and slipped the scandalous chemise on. It was surprisingly comfortable, and…I paused when I caught my reflection in the mirror. Risqué.

Had the prince chosen this himself?

Heat flushed my skin. This had to be part of his grand plan. Obviously.

"Fates," I whispered, lifting the gorgeous gown and spinning toward the mirror. It looked to be my size, but I'd never worn anything so luxurious or heavy. The fabric alone would have supported the manor for a winter.

It was a wonder I was able to get into the gown on my own with how fitted the waist and hips were. A dozen eyelet clasps secured the bodice down the center, emphasizing my bust and cinching my waist.

For the second time, I didn't recognize myself in the mirror. My silver hair hung in damp curls over my shoulders and contrasted strikingly with the deep crimson gown. It clung to me, accentuating my curves and flowing like water every time I moved.

I looked like a royal courtesan.

A knock sounded at the door, and I jumped.

"Are you decent?" The prince's deep voice sent shivers over my skin.

That depended on what I was dressed for.

"Yes," I said, suddenly feeling lightheaded. I blamed it on the gown.

The lock clicked, and the prince stepped in, pausing when he caught sight of me. His gaze tracked over my body, his eyes darkening the way the sky did right before a storm.

I swallowed, uncertain what he was thinking. "I assume this was for me." I gestured down at the gown. "I hope it's suitable."

"Yes." The prince's voice was strained, and he cleared his throat. "It will do."

I narrowed my eyes at him. Had he been standing at the door, listening to me dressing? His timing had been too perfect.

"You were gone for quite a while," I said, fiddling with the trail of lace stitched along my waist. The prince seemed fixated on the movement, so I stopped.

His stormy eyes met mine. "I was cleaning up your mess—figuratively and literally. If the Triad knew what I'd done, they'd bring down hell on me."

"Are they still searching?"

He took a few steps toward me, but then, as if thinking better of it, stopped. "They'll turn this place upside down until they're certain they've caught the spy. They're going to question everyone."

I retreated a step inadvertently, trying not to think about the way his strong thighs moved beneath his fitted trousers. "I've never seen nor heard of them before today."

"They ensure that it stays that way." He stepped closer, his movements graceful as a leopard's. "Their servants are cursed with a spell to bind their tongues."

My backside bumped against the foot of the bed. "How long have they been here?"

In an instant, he consumed the distance between us and stood just inches away. His body was tauter than a bowstring, tension simmering just below the surface. "You must stop worrying about who they are," he said roughly. "And worry more about what they're going to ask you."

My heart drummed against my chest. "Me?"

"I'll try to implicate another of the staff, but if they don't catch someone, they're liable to interrogate the entire castle."

The thought of Cara or Belle being interrogated because of what I'd done made my heart ache. "No," I said sharply. "Don't implicate anyone else. I don't want anyone's blood on my hands."

His stern expression didn't waver. "Then you're ready to face their questions?"

"I'll have to be, won't I?"

"How long were you lurking out there? Would the rest of the staff notice you weren't in your bed? Did anyone see you leave?"

I stood before him, panic rising.

"Fuck," Cassius said, my silence telling him everything he needed to know. Dragging a hand through his dark hair, he turned and started pacing the room. "Okay. We can fix this. You'll tell anyone who asks that you were here with me. Everyone already thinks I've chosen you as my mistress."

"Not everyone," I said, causing him to stop and fix me with a deadly gaze. "The sisters know you're not feeding from me."

Something violent flashed in his eyes. "How?"

Was he really that dense? "How do you think? They didn't see any bite marks, and they assumed. I didn't even need to tell them."

Cassius released an almost feral snarl and stalked toward the balcony. His fists closed, and he seemed seconds away from breaking something. When he turned back and looked at me, his steel visage had been replaced by a savage rage. "I warned them to keep their hands off you."

His sudden protectiveness, both terrifying and exhilarating, sent flutters through my belly. Did he really care so much for the fate of a simple serving girl?

"If— when —the Triad comes asking questions, tell them about kissing me in the forest. Tell them that the only reason I put you on my service is that I wanted you, and that I liked the way you taste."

It was a lie, of course, but part of me wished it were true. "Do you think they'll buy it? It's rumored that you don't feed from the vein."

His expression darkened. "Then we'll give them proof that I do."