32. Chapter Thirty-Two #2
Over the next few days, I catch Ivelle up on everything that’s happened and check on Zyon frequently. The healers assure me he’s just resting and will recover, but my stomach is jumbled by the fourth day of him sleeping.
“You should go sit with him before you scrub all the skin off your hands.” Ivelle leaps onto the back of my headboard and balances across it. “Besides, aren’t there servants who can scrub floors?
“I need something to keep me busy. This always helped me on the nights we weren't sure Florian would make it. His struggle made me feel so helpless, so I became useful however I could while my mother rocked him close to steam. I kept the house as clean as I could for him.”
“What about the cloak you need to find, or the key?”
“The key, I need to ask Lazzus about, and was about to, but he didn’t get to finish the story when we were attacked.” I wring out my filthy rag and refill my bucket with fresh water to scrub until the water comes out clean.
Ivelle jumps onto a pillow. “I used to think you really enjoyed keeping my shop clean, but was it only to help destress you?”
“Yes, to both. If he doesn’t wake up soon, I’m using my magic water on him.”
“Magic water?”
I tell her about the legend and can see the excitement growing in her little cat body. “I was saving it for if I get a fatal wound on the mountain, but if he needs it, I will use it for him and take the risk.”
“I’ve heard about the legendary pool! Never did I imagine it was right here in our kingdom’s castle. You used typhon’s blood to access it?”
“Yes, it cleared the barrier, but magic learned quickly, and it no longer works to get more.”
“It would have. I’d love to get that in my lab and study the contents.” She bows her head. “Oh, yeah, that no longer exists.”
Her sudden sadness makes me scrub harder. “I’m so sorry, Ivelle, but I have somewhere I need to take you soon.”
Rana, my servant, rushes into the room. “My lady! That’s something I could have done for you.”
Ivelle curls up, tucking her head in tight to her chest. “There will be no use trying to convince her until the king is well again.”
“That’s what I came to get you for. The king is awake and asking for you.”
“He is?” I leap to my feet, nearly slip on the floor, and rush toward his room.
Maximo is outside my door and moves to the side to prevent us from colliding. “The king is insistent on seeing you within the next five minutes or he is going to risk ripping his wound apart to get to you.”
I roll my eyes and continue my running. “He’s so impatient and demanding!”
“Yes.”
“Lucky for him, I’m just as eager to see him.” My clumsiness continues as I attempt to hop up two steps at a time. Tripping makes it a waste of time rather than productive, so I hurry up one at a time.
He’s sitting up in bed, and color has returned to his cheeks. “Where is she?”
“Maximo went to get her, Your Majesty.” The unfortunate servant backs away slowly from the king, probably to stay out of reach of his deadly touch.
I rush to his side and pull up a chair next to him. “I’m right here. Quit being an awful tyrant to those who improve your life.”
“That’s debatable.” He looks me over. “Why are you filthy?”
“Why are insulting me first thing?”
“It needs addressed. Were you rolling in the mud?”
“I was scrubbing the floor of my room,” I say.
“Which servants do I need to kill for leaving your room dirty?”
I get up and walk over to his closet. “Do you have anything I can change into, or should I just return to my room? I would have been more presentable, but I lost all senses at the thought of you finally being awake. That, and I didn't want to find several bone piles caused by your impatience”
“No, don't return to your room. I want you here. You’re welcome to anything in my closet, but I can also ask the servants to bring your clothes. Use my shower.”
I go into his closet and look through his shirts and pants. All his outfits are made of the most luxurious fabrics. I pick one from his laundry bin and hold it up to my nose. It smells like him, and I hide it close to the exit to steal before I go back to my room.
His closet is large enough to be a small house, and as I get to the back of it, my neck prickles.
It’s stronger than the slight twinges I’ve gotten around the castle and is exactly like the key and dagger.
It has to be the cloak, so I search through all his clothes.
When I get to the back, the feeling nearly takes me down, and I split the clothes apart.
There’s a hidden black door. Somehow, I will have to sneak into the closet when I have more time.
I choose one of his shirts. A servant is waiting by the bathroom with soft clothes in my size, but I only accept the pants.
His shower is enormous, like ten people could use it at once.
He has several shelves of soaps and creams, so I choose a soft, citrusy one to scrub myself with.
The creams I use after I dry off are a luxury my skin will thoroughly miss when the curse breaks.
Never have I imagined such pampering exists.
He holds out his hand for me the second I emerge from the bathroom, like he can’t wait a second longer. “Get over here.”
“Patience.”
“I’ve been more than. Get over here.”
“Maybe I will go back to my room.”
“Then I will get out of this bed and piss off every healer in this castle. Well, some. Many may be pleased if my injuries kill me."
I run over and shove his descending foot back into bed. “Stop. Such tantrums you throw when you don’t get your way.”
“In my bed!”
I crawl next to him, lift the blanket, and stare at his bandaged abdomen. Images of his stomach split open hit me so sharply my breath is stolen for a moment. “Stupid king.” I bite my trembling lip and look away from him.
“Saving your life makes me stupid?"
“Yes, you threw me through the gate, so I couldn’t help you.”
“Because you’re too important to have anything like this happen to you.” He presses a finger to my lips when I open my mouth. “Let’s not argue, Neera. Not tonight.”
“I’ll put it on hold until breakfast.”
“Good.” He cups my face and gently runs a finger next to the healing cut on my cheek. “You’re going to be my ruin.”
“Only if you allow it.”
“It seems I already have.” He kisses me, drawing it out and entangling our legs.