Page 82 of Frost Bound

She took a shallow breath, searching the sea of faces for anyone familiar. The king was moving away from her with his entourage. She curbed the inclination to call out to him. He wasn’t her friend. She needed to remember that.

A warm hand touched her elbow, and she jumped.

Loshika’s face swam into view. Her forehead crinkled. “Reilleve? Are you alright?”

“Sei,” she murmured, finally acknowledging all the eyes on her. She smiled warmly, trying not to be intimidated.

Don’t be afraid. You’ve been in front of audiences all your life.

A robust giantess pushed her way through the group and gave Dahlia a crooked smile. “Welcome,reilleve,” she said in common tongue, bowing low before rising. “I am Jaessa, the head housekeeper.”

“It’s lovely to meet you, Jaessa.”

The housekeeper’s cheeks darkened to a deeper purple, something Lia had observed was a blush. “We have been anxiously awaiting your arrival since we heard of your illness. If you are ready for a bath and to retire, I will show you to your room, where the healer will see to you.”

Dahlia nodded. “Thank you, but I have my own healer.” She looped her arm through Loshika’s, ignoring the pointed stares atthe giantess’ scars. “I would like to meet your healer as well, but perhaps on the morrow.”

The housekeeper dipped her chin. “As you say,reilleve. Follow me please.”

Lia nodded to giants as she passed them. She tried not to flinch when immediate whispers in Loriian followed.

They’re judging you. They know you’re a liar.

The housekeeper led them up the carpeted stairs, to where it split. Reaching the third floor, Jaessa turned right, the hallway curving. The left side of the hallway was arched glass panes two stories tall that faced the lake. The moon cast an ethereal glow over the surroundings, making it picturesque.

Servants tried to mask their surprise as she passed them, dropping into deep bows or curtseys.

The housekeeper turned right to another wide staircase away from the view. They climbed two more stories, then Jaessa opened a door to the right.

“Welcome home.”

Dahlia stepped inside the room, clinging to Loshika as she soaked in the opulence of the chamber.

It was enormous—like five rooms put together—a half-moon shaped bedroom. To her left, a wall cut toward the windows, a wide fireplace in the middle of the wall that Lia could stand in if she wanted. Shelves of books and trinkets bracketed each side. Two delightful chairs and a long couch were arranged around the fire, making it seem like a room of its own.

Delicate curtains draped from arched windows to the floor in dainty puddles.

Lia waded farther into the room, soaking in the view.

Another fireplace was mirrored on the opposite wall with a tall circular tub before it. She released Loshika and made her way to the washing basin, running her hand over the curtains, along the silk pillows that reclined on attractive divans.

When Dahlia finally reached the bathtub, all she did was stare. It could have fit eight people—or four giants. Who needed a bathtub that large? And how much water would the staff need to boil to fill it? She blinked at the faucet. Did they have running hot water here?

Jaessa pointed to the paneled wall to the right of the fireplace. “The wardrobe is hidden behind that door.” The housekeeper bustled around the tub and opened a door to Lia’s right. “The shower and toilet are in this room.”

“You have plumbing?” Lia asked.

The housekeeper nodded, her lips pressed together. “Only the best, my lady.”

The giantess seemed a little miffed, but hid it well. Lia offered a smile. “I meant no offense, Jaessa. I’m just surprised. Your home is quite magnificent. It’s a marvel of modern science. Even Florrant can’t offer a shower.”

That seemed to do the trick. The housekeeper beamed.

While Dahlia was curious about the shower, she refrained from snooping around the toilet room. She finally turned around and walked to the bed that stood in the very center of the chamber.

Like everything in Loriia, it was giant sized.

Gauzy fabrics hung from the ceiling and around the bed, creating an intimate cozy space. She ran her fingertips across the silky, flawless furs that adorned the mattress. It hosted so many pillows she could have created her own mattress with them. A tasteful but raw crystal chandelier hung above the bed, adding a bit of sparkle to the space. She reached the end of the bed, her knees brushing one of the trunks from Astera.

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