Page 38 of Veiled Flames
The stab is want. I want this. I wanthim.
As we stand, watching each other, my uncertainty returns.
Given his state of undress, should I grant him his privacy?
But before I decide, he beckons, his fingers flickering in the soft light.
Slowly, not taking my eyes off his imposing body, I somehow put one foot in front of the other, mindlessly moving until I’m directly in front of his tent. Once there, I look down, suddenly shy and feeling as if I’m intruding, as if I’ve made a huge error in judgement.
“Come,” he says softly. “Your timing is perfect.”
“How so?” My gaze rises, quickly brushing over his half-nude body to seek his eyes. His head gestures to the side and he disappears behind the tent.
I take another step forward, and then hold the gei line, ducking under it as I round the tents corner. Behind his tent, steam risesfrom a copper basin, resting on a wooden tripod. Another tripod, forged from iron, holds a bubbling pot over the low flames of his fire.
“I’ve just bathed,” he says softly. “When I saw your approach, I prepared a fresh basin, so you too can bathe.”
“Oh, how lovely!” My entire body relaxes and brightens at the anticipation of clean, warm water caressing my skin. Each time we stop, the servants place basins outside the wagons, but they’re shared by everyone and are always cold and dirty by the time I reach one. Plus, I don’t dare disrobe, so I’m limited to washing my hands, face and neck.
“I’m glad you’re pleased.” Happiness paints Saxon’s ruggedly handsome face. “And even more pleased that you have joined me tonight.” His voice deepens, and the sound vibrates across the short space between us, stirring my belly.
I approach the basin, finding a sponge inside and the faint scent of lavender rising with the steam. Lifting the sponge, I squeeze out some of the excess moisture and then eagerly wipe it over my face and neck.
I long to remove my clothes so I can wash more of my body. I turn toward Saxon, finding his gaze hotly focused on me.
“Are you certain no one can see me back here?” I raise my hand to the top clasp of my leather jerkin.
“I can see you.” His deep voice rumbles, and my insides flutter.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“We are alone.” He takes a step toward me, and the firelight dances through his golden locks. “No candidate, nor servant, will dare approach my tent.”
“I approached it.”
He chuckles softly. “That you did.”
We look into each other’s eyes for what feels like a very long time, so long that I almost forget the welcoming basin of water.
“Forgive me.” Bowing slightly, he takes a step back. “I’ll grant you some privacy to bathe.” My eyes focus on his lips as he says this, reminding me of our kiss. It’s as if my body is re-experiencing that moment, and my tongue laps my upper lip as if hoping to prolong the sensations.
“Unless…” he says.
I struggle to find air. “Unless?”
“Unless you would like some assistance.” He shifts his posture. Almost coming to attention, he clasps his hands behind his back. “As a princess—” he bows slightly “—I expect you are not accustomed to disrobing or bathing on your own.”
“No, I am not.” Excitement stirs inside me at the thought of his hands performing the act of removing my clothes, an act I’ve never considered intimate before. Nurse and a long parade of Dressers have always performed the task.
I resolve to match his conduct. If he is taking on the role of my servant, then I shall play my part too. This is normal, I tell myself. Saxon is simply helping me like many servants have before.
I lift my arms a few finger-widths from my sides, taking the posture I typically do with Dresser or Nurse. As he steps forward, a tremble builds inside me, like the entire world is shaking. My trembling’s not from fear, but from a heady mixtureof nerves and need—even though I’m not certain exactly what it is that I need.
“With your permission,” he murmurs.
I nod.
Saxon starts with the clasp in the middle of my jerkin, his thick but nimble fingers making quick work of the brass fitting there. His fingers hesitate for a moment, as if wondering whether to move up or down.
