Page 82 of Warrior Queen
Back in theDomus Alba, after hours standing in the Council Hall, I flopped onto our bed in relief, my legs and back aching from so much standing.
Arthur unbuckled his ornate belt. “Thank God that’s over,” he said, plonking the belt on the table beside his sword, which he’d retrieved as soon as we emerged into the forum. “Managing that lot is a nightmare. Like herding chickens.”
Lying flat on the bed, I chuckled at his description of his fellow kings, as well as at the luxury of at last being comfortable. “It went on forever. I thought they’d never come to a decision about the messengers.”
He wriggled out of his tunic. “Nor sending more men to my army. They’ll be glad of it if they get trouble with raiders, but until that point, they’re bloody unwilling to help and will stay that way.” He shook his head. “A case of I’m all right, so why should I bother if my neighbor has problems. A total lack of foresight.”
I kicked off my boots and wiggled my stockinged toes, which felt wonderful. “You need chairs in there for the audience. You were all right with your nice big throne.” I groaned. “I need you to rub my back for me.” I rolled onto my front, and tried to look inviting.
He came and sat on the bed and set both hands on my back. “Where?”
“Just there. A bit lower. Ooh, that’s perfect.”
He kneaded my stiff muscles. “Difficult through your clothes. Shall I undo your laces?”
Smothering a grin, I nodded, and waited while he fumbled with the ties down the back of my dress, something he’d never been all that good at. In too much of a hurry to get them unlaced most of the time.
Once he’d undone them completely, he continued massaging my back with his strong fingers, and I relaxed, head down on the bed, luxuriating in his touch. With my face pressed against the bedclothes, I mumbled, “Don’t stop.”
He chuckled, his hands working up and down, easing out the tensions caused by so long standing.
I sighed. “You should have been a masseur.”
He stopped. “A what?”
I wiggled to make him keep going. “A masseur. From my old world. Someone who does what you’re doing. Mmmmm.”
“What I’m doing?” His hands were sliding down inside my dress, over my bottom, under the silken panties I’d had Cottia and her daughters make for me.
I chuckled. “Maybe notquitewhat you’re doing. But don’t let that put you off.”
A knock on the door broke into what might have been going to happen. Arthur pulled the back of my dress together and got to his feet with a sigh. “The work of the High King’s never done, it seems.”
Cei and Merlin were at the door.
I turned onto my back so they couldn’t see my state of semi-undress. Not that they’d have cared, but a girl does like to preserve her modesty.
“Cerdic’s in the atrium,” Merlin said, averting his eyes from me. “Come to call on his new ally.”
I sat up, immediately curious, holding my now loose dress up.
“Who’s he with?” Arthur asked, reaching for his tunic on the floor where he’d discarded it.
Cei pulled a face. “No one. It’s just him.”
Silence stretched between the three of them. Probably they were all thinking the same as me– that it was very odd for a king to visit another king without at least a few of his own warriors in tow. Very trusting.
Arthur cast a glance back. “Tell him I’ll be with him in five minutes. And take him to Euddolen’s old office. I’ll see him there.”
Cei and Merlin departed, and Arthur pulled his tunic on in haste, then grabbed his ornate belt. But not his sword belt.
I got up, having difficulty keeping my dress decent. “No sword?”
He shook his head. “If he’s come for a reason other than friendship, I’ll rely on Cei to protect me.”
“Shall I come?”
He shook his head. “No. I’ll see him alone.” He must have seen my frown. “You’re a woman. He’s half Saxon– they don’t see women in the same light we do– I do. You’re a chattel, not an equal. To him. Not to me.” He probably added that last bit when he saw the look in my eyes. “You know you’re not my chattel. Don’t act offended. I have to see him on my own. I’ll have Cei and Merlin waiting by the door. If he’s come armed, I’ll have them inside the office with me. Don’t worry.”
