Chapter Nine #3
“I don’t want to give it.” He lifted the next pail and poured the water then did the same with the last two. “Take off your clothes and get inside. You need to eat and sleep, or I will have to carry you tomorrow.”
“You will not carry me,” I said.
“Then do as I say. Or do I need to undress you too?”
My mouth went dry at the thought, but I pushed my lust aside and glared at him. “Try it and see what happens.”
He rolled his eyes. “You try my patience with this foolishness.” He turned back to the desk, deliberately pulled the chair out, and sat with his back to the tub.
I heard the crunch as he bit into the apple again.
As quickly as I could with my sore muscles, I shed the white clothing I’d worn for the Claiming Rite.
Normally, I was not overly modest as it was usually not practical.
But I was deathly afraid he would turn around and see me unclothed.
I hurried into the tub and unintentionally sat down hard.
I let out a moan as my bruised bottom smacked the base of the tub.
Taio stood but did not turn to face me. “What is the matter?”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes.” I reached for the soap and applied it to the soft cloth hanging over the edge of the tub.
The soap had a nice floral scent. I didn’t know much about flowers, other than which I could eat and which I could not.
Villagers too old to go on patrol any longer tended gardens and made soaps and other items for use in Highcastle.
I’d always hoped to live long enough to learn how to make sweet-smelling soap.
Now I’d be lucky to ever see Highcastle again.
“Are you almost finished?” Taio barked. I jumped slightly. I’d almost forgotten he was here. I glanced at him and saw he sat stiff and straight, his hands gripped on the arms of the chair.
“I just need to wash my hair,” I said. I wished I could linger in the bath, but the medicinal potion was beginning to take effect.
I was growing increasingly drowsy. Fortunately, I was also feeling less pain.
I loosened my hair and dunked my head under the water then lathered the soap in my hands and worked it through my hair.
Taio had left one pail a quarter full of water, and I would use that to rinse my hair and body.
I slowly climbed to my feet and tried not to groan as I reached for the pail.
Taio rose suddenly, and I glanced at him. He still had his back to me, but it practically vibrated with tension. He must really hate having to be this close to me. “Do you need help?” he barked.
“No, I have it.” I finally got hold of the pail’s handle.
I bent and poured most of the water over my hair.
A wave of dizziness hit me, but I closed my eyes until it passed.
Then I stood and dumped the rest of the clean water over my body.
Still light-headed, I reached for the large towel and wrapped it around myself before carefully climbing out of the tub.
I moved toward the heat of the hearth and tried to dry my body quickly so I could dress.
Once I’d managed that—no small feat with the way my muscles protested—I glanced back at Taio again.
He was seated again, his hands holding his head, elbows resting on the desk.
“You can turn around now,” I said, using the towel to dry my hair.
But instead of turning to look at me, he rose and stalked across the room.
He threw open the door to the balcony and stepped out into the cold night, closing the door again.
Clearly, he couldn’t wait to get away from me.
I stared after him then realized I could see myself in the reflection of the windows.
The glass was thick and uneven, but I could make out my form well enough. Had he...?
No. He couldn’t stand to be in the same room with me. He was clearly disgusted by me. I felt like a fool for ever finding him handsome and desirable. He obviously didn’t feel the same.
The others returned when my hair was reasonably dry.
They gave me nods as they entered. Taio returned from outside, looking cold and windswept, and examined the food they’d packed.
I wanted to see the food as well. It was important to know what our rations were, but Finnrey could tell me in the morning.
She knew what we’d need and how much, even though it was difficult to gauge how long we’d be traveling.
If I were Finnrey, I’d have planned for a sennight to reach the border and a sennight for the return.
Of course, I wouldn’t be returning.
“Mara, come to bed,” Taio said. I started.
Those were not words I’d expected from him.
I hated the way my cheeks flooded with heat.
I glanced at him, trying to gauge his intentions.
Omira smirked and said something, which made the others laugh.
Taio merely scowled. “You need sleep before tomorrow,” he said, not looking at his companions.
I was half-asleep already, but I did not want to share a bed with someone who hated me.
I tried to remind myself I hated him too, but I was so tired.
“I can—” But when I glanced at the couch, Omira was already settling on it.
Yung pushed the chairs aside and plopped down on the rug.
Kintle turned down the lamps and then pressed his back against the door, clearly on watch.
Taio crossed to the bed and stood on the other side.
With few other options, I dropped the damp towel I’d used on my hair and took my pack to the bed.
On the opposite side, Taio pointed to my pillow. “Lie down and sleep,” he said.
“If you give me one more order, Taio of the First House of Zulen,” I murmured too low for the others to hear, “I will smother you with that pillow.”
He chuckled, clearly not concerned at all by my threat.
He should have been. I was very serious.
I didn’t like being told what to do, and I’d had about enough of him treating me like I was under his command.
I climbed onto the bed, careful of my bruised tailbone, and opened my pack.
Taio also climbed onto the bed and lay on his back, his body stiff and straight on the edge furthest from me.
Good. That was where I wanted him. He’d better stay over there.
I found my brush, sectioned my hair, and teased out the tangles.
When it was smooth and straight, I set the brush down and began to plait it.
With an annoyed huff, Taio turned on his side, jostling the bed.
I glanced at him, but now his back was to me.
Perfect. I had annoyed him. I needn’t worry I’d wake up in the night and have to knee him between the legs to get him off me.
I placed my pack in the center of the bed, a sort of makeshift barrier, then pulled the blanket back and slid underneath.
Taio lay on top of the blanket, which was another separation for us.
I couldn’t sleep on my back, as I usually did because of my tailbone and my head, so I tried to find a position on my side that wasn’t too uncomfortable.
I started facing away from Taio, but that side of my neck was the most bruised.
I had to rise up and turn the other way then move about until nothing hurt so much that I couldn’t relax.
The potion was definitely helping with that.
“Be still,” Taio hissed.
“You must want me to smother you,” I said, too tired to do anything of the sort by this point.
“I do not know that word. Smother. I assume it is a means of killing me.”
“You know me so well,” I said, my voice sounding far away now as I struggled to keep my eyes open. As though in a dream, Taio rolled over and looked at me. The room was dark, and I couldn’t really see his face. I wasn’t even certain if I was dreaming or if this was real.
“I do know you, Mara,” he said. “I know you better than you think.”
***
I WAS SHAKEN AWAKE what seemed like only moments later. Pain flooded into me, and I closed my eyes again, willing it to go away. “Mara, get up.”
I opened my eyes and looked up at Finnrey. Then I shot my gaze to the other side of the bed. It was empty except for my pack. “Where is everyone?”
“The barbarian is waiting outside the door with Lady Aine. He said the potion I sent made you sleep like the dead.”
I felt groggy and weak and pushed myself to sit. I hadn’t eaten anything last night. That might account for the weakness. “What was in that goblet?”
“I don’t know,” she said. “The healer said it would help. Did it?”
I swallowed and my throat did seem less swollen. I touched my neck, which was still tender. The back of my head felt somewhat better, but my tailbone was as sore as ever. “A little.”
Finnrey gestured to the table beside the bed. “She sent another. She said this one will not make you drowsy.”
“I’m starving,” I said.
“There’s bread and fruit on the desk.” She pointed to a tray with scattered food on it. “Looks like the Zulenii left a little for you.”
Wincing, I pushed off the bed. Finnrey caught my arm and helped me.
I let her since no one was here to see, and I really did need the help.
A quarter hour later, I was ready for the day.
I’d taken the potion and tucked a small bag of herbs the healer had sent for the journey in my pack.
I hefted it onto my back, rolling my shoulders at the weight, then tucked my skullcrusher in my belt.
I grabbed another piece of bread and an orange just as Taio opened the door. “Time to go.”
“You will wait until we are ready,” Finnrey said, sounding every syllable the princess she was.
“In sixty ticks of the clock, I will put that one over my shoulder”—he pointed at me—“and walk out of here.” He slammed the door again.
“Well, he seems in a good mood today,” Finnrey said.
“As always,” I said. “Let’s go or he might really try and carry me. Then we’ll start off with a fight.”