Page 15 of Vows of Sacrifice

“Innkeeper!” I called out before the owner left the room. “Prepare a tub of hot water for my wife.”

“Yes, my lord,” agreed the man with a bow.

I turned to my wife, all smiles.

“A bath to relax you. Am I not a caring husband?”

“I refuse to undress in front of you,” hammered Ashana, hands on her hips.

“That’s okay, I’ll take it first. You can admire me at your leisure, and even rub my back, if you feel like it.”

Furious, she threw something at me, and it clattered against the wall. I avoided it almost too easily and burst out laughing. And to think I’d almost killed her to get rid of her!

What a mistake I would have made there! Ashana of Muvaria was a fascinating creature. This wedding night promised to be very entertaining.

3

ASHANA

I’d never met a man who could laugh so hard because someone had just thrown a jug of water in his face. Granted, I had missed. But still.

“I’m not going to take my bath in front of you!” I lost my temper.

To which he continued to smile.

“That was my understanding, yes.”

“I won’t sleep with you either! You assured me I had a choice!”

This time, Dovah turned toward the large bed—the only one in the room—before facing me again. His amused expression made me want to pounce on him with all claws out.

“And I intend to keep my promise. We can perfectly well share a bed without sex being a part of it.”

He then raised his hands in the air as a gesture of goodwill. I shot him a suspicious look in return.

“Ashana, I’m not the kind of person to break a promise. Take my word for it. If, on the other hand, you’ve changed your mind and would like us to . . .”

He trailed off, mockingly raising his eyebrows in a suggestive manner. This was all a game to him! This man had killed my father that very morning! I suddenly collapsed, bursting into tears. I wasn’t going to make it. I had to hate him. He was the assassin of the King of Muvaria. My nerves were shot.

For a moment, he seemed taken aback by my reaction, but he eventually came over and crouched down beside me. His words made it clear he had guessed what was tormenting me.

“Ashana, please accept my apologies. Paivrin keeps telling me that I lack delicacy. I can only agree with him. I’ve been a weapon for too long, and it’s become so natural to kill that I forget about other people’s feelings. Hate me if you must, that’s your most legitimate right. Think of me as a monster, because I am. I won’t deny it. I killed your father, your king, in what I consider a fair fight, but he still remains a precious person in your heart. But we are now husband and wife. We’ll have to overcome this ordeal. It’s the duty of both of us, so do it for the future of Muvaria, if you must find a purpose in this.”

With that, he slipped his index finger under my chin to lift my head and plunge his dark gaze into mine.

“We’re going to sleep together in this bed, not to force you to consummate our marriage, but because this way, it’s easier for me to protect you. The bath is truly for you to relax, so I will respect your privacy and wait on the other side of the door. Does that suit you?”

He claimed to be a monster, yet in that moment, he wasn’t behaving like one. But who was Dovah, really? The Black Demon? Or this man who was trying to be considerate?

“Yes,” I murmured in a broken voice. “Thank you for your help.”

With the back of my hand, I wiped away the tears still clinging to my lashes. My husband stood up and took a long look at me.

“From now on, call me Dovah. Just knock on the door when you’re done.”

With that, he left the room as promised. My mind blank, I got up to search for a nightgown and shawl in one of my trunks, when two servants entered to bring me the tub of hot water. Steam rose from the clear surface. I thanked them, then my gaze met that of Dovah, who was waiting quietly, leaning against the wall opposite, arms folded. His eyes seemed capable of holding me captive in the grip of their power. The servants set towels on a round side table covered with a worn embroidered doily.

“My lady, would you like a maid to help you?” asked the older of the two.

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