Chapter 9 #2
The servant approached the table and his gaze flicked over her nightgown. The thin straps showed more skin than he was likely used to. His face barely gave away his surprise, but he didn’t say anything as he set a tray between her and Thane. He lifted the lid and then dipped into a bow.
“Thank you, Cassius,” Thane said.
“You’re welcome, sire.” He gave her one more questioning appraisal before he and the other servant left.
Katana smiled. It was a good quality for a king and a god to be humble enough to thank a servant. Most she knew at his status didn’t even acknowledge the existence of servants unless they fell short of a task.
The spread of fruit, nuts, and cheeses made her mouth water. She toyed with the edge of the cream tablecloth, waiting for him to go first. Even if she was starved, it was only appropriate as she was his guest.
He pushed the silver tray toward her. “It’s all yours. I’ve already eaten.”
She popped a grape into her mouth and sighed as the sweetness burst over her tongue.
It seemed juicier and more flavorful in this body, at least more satisfying.
Perhaps because she needed it rather than thought of it as an indulgence.
She had consumed more than half of the tray by the time her stomach signaled it was full to the brim, and she drank water to wash down the last remnants of food.
Thane had watched her eat in silence, and she finally looked up to find a small smile. She picked up a napkin, dabbed the corners of her mouth and sat taller. “I seem to have forgotten my manners, Thane. How has your morning been? Anything new?”
“You’re hungry. No need to worry about manners.” He drummed his fingers on the tabletop. “And considering all that has happened in the past few days, it’s been quiet. I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing.”
“‘ It’s’ , ‘ that’s’ . The way you all speak, it is how the lesser mortals spoke, and you all use Murilian tongue rather than the celestial language of Runevale. Has so much changed since I have been gone?”
His brows rose slightly. “I guess I hadn’t considered that even the language would be different since you were alive.
We do speak in contractions and Murilian is the primary language of Adalon, but I do know the celestial language.
” He leaned forward, reaching across the table and turned her hand over so her palm was face up.
“You’re mortal, aren’t you? That’s why you did this… to see.”
She pulled away and tucked her hand against her chest. “I had to be sure. Hunger pains are something new as well. It felt like my stomach was trying to consume itself and my body was shaky.” She picked up a piece of cheese and ate it even though she was full.
“You will need to eat at least twice a day and drink plenty of water.”
She nodded absently. “I have been worried about Valeen. Is sleeping so much normal for an elf?”
“No.” Thane picked up a silver goblet and took a sip. “She must have been exhausted. But Hel said she’s awake and was changing right before I ran into you.”
“Thank the All Mother.” She ran a hand over her silk nightgown. “Which is exactly what I should be doing. From what I have seen, short thin sleeping gowns are not the fashion among ladies in Palenor.”
He chuckled. “Not exactly.”
“You do not seem bothered by it, but I think your servant was taken aback by my lack of modesty.”
“I think his surprise had less to do with the lack of modesty and more to do with the fact that you’re wearing a nightgown and we’re having breakfast together.”
“Oh dear, it must look like we spent the night together.” She giggled and covered her mouth before laughter burst out. “I had not considered that.” But a thought hit her, and she gasped. “You do not have a wife, do you? I would feel awful if rumors started and she was hurt. I would never do that.”
He settled into his chair, spine less rigid. “No.”
“Someone you are promised to?”
“Not anymore. I am completely unattached as of several months ago.”
Relieved, Katana brushed her hair behind her ears.
She should have spent more time learning the gossip around the castle rather than hiding in her room for the past two days.
But he said Valeen was his former lover and there was some talk about a lady named Layala who had recently returned. “Valeen was your betrothed.”
“At the time her name was Layala, but yes.”
“Right, you said that under the tree back in Runevale. I got the impression it was recent but neither of you said so. It must be difficult to see her with Hel then. I am sorry.” She knew what it was like to watch the person you loved be with someone else.
Her husband Atlanta had taken several wives and concubines after they were wed.
It was more rare for a god to be loyal to one person than not, but even if it was accepted, it didn’t hurt any less.
She felt like a body to be used for his pleasure, a rotation among many to bear children.
As his first wife and a primordial, she had her own home that none of the other females lived at, but it didn’t make the nights he was with someone else any less painful.
It didn’t stop the sting of his backhand when she had something to say about it either.
Thane pressed his lips together and only lifted a shoulder.
“It’s over. Not much else to say about it.
” His green eyes sparkled with moisture as he turned his head to look out the window.
Her heart sank. She knew the sadness etched into his face and that reaction well.
It was one she had mirrored many times when she went to parties and saw Atlanta with someone else.
“And the staff is probably gossiping about her being with him since they do not know who she truly is, or who he is?” It was a nightmare for him. His former betrothed with someone else under his own roof. It wasn’t as if they knew she was married to Hel in a previous life. They were elves here.
“No one has had the balls to say anything around me about what they speculate. Our engagement was publicly called off months ago but now people will know why—because of him. Though the servants are at a minimum, I still need help to keep this place running, and it would raise too many questions if I released all the in-house staff.”
The servants’ door creaked open and a maid walked in, wearing a black dress with a white apron.
Katana had seen her once, whispering to another maid in the hallway about how she swore Thane’s cousin was sleeping in the same bed as Layala and what a scandal it was.
The other one questioned whether or not that could be true.
She had flashbacks of her own servants whispering about Atlanta’s latest fling and how loud the pair were making love.
Her cheeks flamed, and the chair legs scraped against the floor as Katana pushed back.
Before she even thought about the consequences, she dropped onto Thane’s lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.
His big hands clamped around her waist and she felt his heartbeat pick up speed.
Leaning in, she whispered, “Well, we can just give them something else to gossip about.”
His stiff posture relaxed, and he brushed her blonde hair behind her ear, playing into it.
“Only problems I like.” His touch tickled and sent a tingle down her spine.
The maid had stopped halfway to the table, eyes wide.
“Give us the room,” he said, keeping his eyes on her. She quickly followed his command.
Katana smiled. “Do you think she will go tell the others the High King is sitting in the dining hall with a new, scantily-clad lady?”
“Certainly.”
“I hope that does not bother you.”
He let out a low laugh. “I think you might have made my day actually. As much as I care for them, Hel and Val, and know it’s right they are together… It was easier when they were gone. Layala was betrothed to me since birth.”
“That was your father’s arrangement I am guessing.”
“Yes.”
“And what if you told people you made your own choice, and the relationship was not in either of your best interests?” Katana slowly kicked her feet as they hung over the edge of the chair’s armrest. “You could always tell them the truth.”
“That she is a goddess reborn, and I was once a god of Runevale? The gods were forgotten here long ago. The elves aren’t ready to hear it.”
“The council will bring war soon and they will have no choice but to be ready.”
He half smiled and let out a long breath, closing his eyes. It was as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. He shouldn’t have to worry about petty gossip among servants in the castle when his people’s lives were at stake.
“They won’t believe it,” he whispered.
The door burst open, and a beautiful elven maiden glided into the room.
Her heels tapped lightly, her lush red gown trailed behind her in an overstated train.
Brown curls tumbled down her back in an extravagant style.
She paused halfway to the table, hands clasped before her and glared at Katana. “Thane, who is this trollop?”
He sighed and sat back against the chair but kept his hands around Katana’s waist. “Hello, Mother.”