Chapter 10
We’d been very silent these past days.
Aegir and I barely exchanged any words. I was sure that the reason for this borderline silent treatment was because of the relief that had radiated from my face, followed by my abrupt apology, as soon as Sabriela came running out of his room.
But I was so relieved when I saw her, I couldn’t hide it. I didn’t even bother to try.
Nevertheless, he still didn’t refrain from displaying the iced glass of water and the silver coin on his desk.
I found him packing his clothes when I brought his breakfast.
“You’re leaving?” It came out instantaneously, and I regretted it the moment it left my mouth.
I realised that instead of prying, I could have simply asked him at what time he wanted lunch and dinner, and that would have led me to the answers I sought just as well.
I gave him my back while I set up his table.
“Yes. For a few days. My men and I are going south, to the glass factory with some of King Belzari’s men. Don’t miss me too much.”
“I won’t,” I replied, perhaps a bit too quickly.
“Cruel, Cordelia.”
He said it with such mischief, yet hidden beneath that tone, tingeing it, was a tiny bit of threat. I hated that comment, but not too much, and when I ignored the threat-tinged part, a little part of myself didn’t hate it at all.
As I turned on my heel, I found him standing right before me. I made to retreat a step, but the table at my back didn’t allow me to.
I thought I was getting good at recognising his approach by the faint dip in the air. But when I caught that smirk just as the temperature dropped, I understood.
I stiffened but didn’t look away.
He leaned in and I awkwardly pulled back.
He stretched out his arm behind me, retrieving a peach from his breakfast tray.
I watched intently as he sunk his teeth, pointy canines and all, into its flesh, taking one big juicy bite out of it.
It was so succulent that beads of its juice formed where his generous lips touched the fruit.
I stopped myself from licking my own lips and instead settled for a subtle swallow.
He let out a pleased, “Mmm,” then brought the peach so close to my mouth, it almost touched my lips. “Here, have a bite,” he cooed.
My gaze shifted from his eyes to the peach, and I must admit, it was very tempting. Even more so to taste right where he had bitten it. But I only looked at the fruit and shook my head. “I mustn’t. We’re not allowed,” I said, my voice low.
“Oh, come on. It’s just one little bite, I won’t tell if you don’t.”
I tried to sound nonchalant. “Really, I mustn’t. Thanks for the offer, though.”
“So it’s true, then, what the young one said—you are truly not allowed to eat anything fresh, not even a piece of fruit?”
I only nodded.
“Why?” he asked, his tone and creased brows conveying genuine curiosity.
“Someone has to compensate for the royals and the council members, I guess.”
It was true. Farah had told us that before the attack on Ilma, the servants and other castle workers were provided with two meals a day.
She described it as nothing special, mostly fruit, nuts, vegetables, and bread, but compared to what we were given now…
not to mention that the servants’ bathing chamber was allowed to be used once daily.
So after the implementation of the rationing laws, it seemed that the royals and important members of the council were the only people unaffected by their own rules.
Whereas the insignificant people had to suffer twice as much to counterbalance.
So we were provided with crumbs and half a bucket of water per day.
I slipped away the moment he took another bite.
“Have a nice trip, Lord Hailin.” He nodded as I closed the door behind me.