Chapter Ten
I woke up alone tothe smell of bacon wafting from the kitchen. I rolled over and buried my face into the pillow, groaning as my body reminded me of the night before. Even tender and sore, a smile spread across my face.
Worth it.
With another groan, I slid out of bed and shuffled into the bathroom. A hot bath would help with the soreness. Everything the guys helped me forget came rushing back, battering at my mind, taking away any relaxation I might have found in the steaming water.
What would the day bring? The king mentioned classes? No, thank you. Maybe I could hide and get out of them somehow. I wasn’t some uncouth piece of trash. I didn’t need etiquette classes.
But the guys were right. We had to play the game for now, be smart. But every single moment I had to pretend was going to be painful. I was used to being open with my disdain and dissent. I was not used to fake smiles and politics and playing nice.
I rose from the bath and toweled off, most of the ache gone, able to move a lot easier. If anything, it was a pleasant reminder of our night together. My entire body flushed with warmth as I had flashbacks of the three of them inside me at the same time. Our bond felt stronger, I wasn’t sure if it was real or all in my mind.
And I didn’t care. They were mine and they made me happy.
I dressed in the first clean clothes I found, I assumed they were Sky’s since I took them from his closet. At some point, we’d need to find out what the guards did with my pack. I rolled the bottom of the pant legs up so I don’t trip and emerged from Sky’s room. I considered following the scents of bacon and coffee, but decided to nose around instead.
I went in the opposite direction of the kitchen and poked my head into rooms. Their home was lavish and comfortable, but nowhere near as bad as I expected from the way Whist and Saber teased Sky. They clearly enjoyed the finer things in life and certainly didn’t want for money or things, but it wasn’t grotesque and ostentatious like the palace was. It was well-loved and cared for.
Whist’s mother must have kept things in order after they left to find me and didn’t return. I opened the last room and my jaw dropped in shock. Art covered the walls and paint splattered across the floor. The paintings were amazing. They were filled with longing and hope. Sky and Whist were the objects of a lot of them.
The door creaked open behind me and I whirled to see Saber standing there with a soft smile. “Making yourself at home, love?”
I grimaced at being caught. “Sorry. I went snooping.”
He chuckled. “I don’t mind. We have nothing to hide from you and you’re welcome anywhere. I like seeing you in here.”
“Did you paint these?” I gestured to the walls.
“I did.”
“Saber, they’re... they’re beautiful. Why didn’t you tell me you painted?”
He shrugged. “I told you I love art.”
“Yes, but I didn’t imagine this.”
“It’s not something I talk about very often. And it was something I planned to share with you later, once things had calmed down.”
I didn’t reply, too busy staring at a specific painting that caught my eye. It was of Sky and Whistler, a moment between them caught forever. They grinned at each other, arms tossed around one another’s shoulders. There was such a warmth and love shining from the canvas.
Saber stepped up behind me. “You like that one?”
“I think it’s my favorite.” I leaned back against him and his arms crept around my middle.
“Then it’s yours.”
I twisted in his grip. “Saber, no.”
“Why?”
“I’m not going to steal your paintings.”
He laughed. “We’re never letting you get away. Or even have your own room. So it’s not like I’m really losing it.”
I chuckled. “True. Fine. But leave it there for now. I don’t think we’re at the part where I move in and redecorate everything yet.”
“You won’t hear us complain, love.” He snorted. “Well, maybe Sky will. He’s strange about that stuff.”
I slid my arm through his as we moved towards the door. “I wouldn’t change anything anyway.”
“And we’re just kidding about your room. We want you to have your own space.”
I shrugged. “I’d prefer a music room to a bedroom, actually. I have no desire to sleep alone.”
Saber gripped me tighter. “That we can definitely do. Come have breakfast. And I should warn you. We have a guest.”
I jerked to a halt, not liking his tone. “Oh? Who?”
“The prince.”