Page 93 of Light and Shadow
I go over to the children’s’ corner and put Fort down. I push the cots together and place the five-year-old on one. “Sleep now. You’re tired.”
The other three climb in, and all four curl with arms and legs overlapping like cats. Without Tal they’ll need each other even more.
I close my eyes for a moment and repeat Nainsi’s words in my head.We’ll get them back.
Spotting Cara and Dorian near the tall windows that face east, I rush to them and hug each of them. “Are you well? Have they taken good care of you?”
Cara cups my cheek and Dorian says, “We’re fine. Everyone has been kind. It’s not surprising they worry we’re spies. No one has heard from us since Venora cleared our town and dragged us to the castle.”
I don’t suppose it would do much good to rage against this. I didn’t get to know each and every freed elf personally. It’s possible one or more could be dangerous. Not wanting it to be true doesn’t work as a defense. “I will be back tomorrow.”
Beran steps into the group. “We’ll be safe. You gave us hope. That’s more than anyone else has done for us in many years.”
Reluctantly, I agree to leave them in the ballroom with the guards.
Fancor grumbles the whole way down the hall. “Why are they a threat, but not me?”
“You weren’t held captive by Venora,” Aaran suggests.
“I was.” My anger rises. “Why not put me under guard?”
When Aaran doesn’t answer, Fancor says, “We need you, lass. Elspeth needs you, as do all the people of Domhan. If you’re compromised, all is lost. Besides, I would venture to guess that our hostess did a quick scan when she hugged you on the terrace.”
“What?” I snap a sharp look at Aaran.
“He’s probably right.” Taking my hand, he kisses my fingers. “She’s being cautious. We’ve been a land at war for over thirty suns.”
I suppose that’s a decent excuse.
Aaran takes me to a door that looks like every other wooden door in the second-floor hallway. He tells me he’ll see me at dinner. When he leaves, he shuts me inside a very opulent room. Cream and pale pink cover the enormous bed that boasts gold curtains hanging from the ceiling at the head. They flow to the floor like a canopy for the mound of pillows. A plush cream rug covers the marble floors, and a stone fireplace is dark, but I imagine it’s very cozy when the weather is cooler.
A small vanity with an ornate mirror atop and pink upholstered chair sits near one of two windows that look out to a view of mountains as tall as the Rockies. It’s midafternoon, and sunlight streaks across the floor.
My clothes are too dirty to sit on anything, so I stand near the window and admire the view. It’s strange being without Aaran. He’s probably with his parents, catching up on all that has happened.
I’d like to go explore rather than stand alone in a room far too grand for me. The door bursts open, three elven women walk in, and startled, I squeak.
Lila is carrying an armful of clothes. Her light-brown hair is pulled into a tight bun at the back. Tall and thin, like most of the elves, she smiles, but then frowns. “I am Lila. I thought you might benefit from a long hot bath. I’m guessing it’s been quite the journey. I brought you some clothes, something to wear to dinner. It won’t be formal tonight, so just a simple dress. Then I have a few leggings and tunics that should fit you.” She puts them all on the bed.
The other two go through a door, and the sound of water running fills me with joy. I never thought I would cry over running water, but I’m close to tears. “Thank you.” The dress is burnt-orange velvet. It’s soft and beautiful and will go nicely with my hair. It’s easily the nicest thing I will have ever worn.The rest looks comfortable. Black or brown leggings and white tunics. Another maid rushes in with several pairs of shoes and boots, which she places on the floor at the bottom of the bed before rushing out.
Lila’s eyes grow wide as she stares at my tears. “If these don’t please you, I’m sure we can find something else.”
Swallowing the emotions, I draw a breath and shake my head. “No. These are perfect. Thank you.”
Once the tub is full, Lila hurries the other maids from the room. “Whatever we’ve done to offend you, miss, it was not intended.”
“It’s been so long since I had clean clothes and a hot bath, that I wasn’t sure such things existed anymore.” I wipe my tears. I think I’ve cried more since coming to Domhan than in the ten previous years combined. Maybe if I’d cried more over my father and mother, I’d be tougher now.
With a warm smile, Lila nods. “Do you need help washing?”
“No. I’ll be fine. Thank you.” The bathroom is awash with cream tiles with dark veining and gold fixtures gleaming in the sun shining through the high windows. The tub is carved into the floor, and rose-scented steam rises from the milky water. Under the window is a washbasin with a dragon painted inside the bowl. Through a door at the far end is a toilet not much different than those I’ve seen in historical renderings.
I strip out of my clothes and drop them on the floor before sinking into the luxury of a tub big enough for three or four people. One end has a cushioned headrest and a soft seat as well. Two white towels wait on a chair, and beneath the chair are soap and shampoo. I should have brushed the knots. I let the water soothe my aches and pains while I unwind my braid.
Once my hair is washed, I float in the water until my skin grows pruned. With a sigh, I find the plug and pull it, letting the water drain as I stand and wrap myself in the softest towel I’veever held. I swaddle my hair with the other and stare into the foggy mirror.
Whoever the woman looking back is, I barely recognize her. She’s too thin, and her eyes are larger than I remember. The cut of my biceps and triceps has me turning to take a better look.
