Page 4 of Bound By Stardust
Her frown deepened as she crossed the room and laid a hand on my forehead. “How do you feel? You’re not warm, which means you have no fever, but I assume all your injuries are internal.”
I stretched my fingers and toes. “My greatest crime is lying here, covered in dirt on your table. You must think I have no manners.”
“You’re sick.” She shrugged. “I’ve healed many at my table.”
Her indifference stung more than it should have. I was used to women falling at my feet, begging me to make love to them, and she didn’t care. I liked her no-nonsense manner and wondered if I might get a smile out of her. “All the same, I could use a bath, if you could point me in the right direction. I assume your husband won’t mind?”
She flinched and stepped back, eyes guarded. Finally, a reaction.
“I have no husband.” She lifted her chin. “But just because I live here alone doesn’t mean I’m not protected. I take care of myself.”
I fought to keep the sly grin off my face. “I meant no disrespect. It was simply an honest question.”
Asira huffed as though she didn’t believe me, then yanked open the door, letting in a stream of sunlight. “The bath is outside, to the left of the house. It’s rather small, so you might not fit. I’ll fill it while you figure out how to get off the table.”
With those words, she marched out the door, leaving me to groan as I rose. I wanted to laugh at her grumpiness, but as soon as I sat up, pain cut me off. So my bodyhadn’treknitted from being stabbed.
Taking my movements slowly, I stood to my feet and then paused, breathing hard, as though I were an ancient wizard in need of a staff.
Somehow, I hobbled to the door, and as soon as sunlight struck my face, I leaned against the doorframe, breathing in. The air was thick with the scent of herbs, a far cry from the floating islands that smelled of wine and gold and sin. My mouth firmed in a grim line. I didn’t want to think about the Masters and what they’d done once they discovered my true reason for masquerading in their kingdom. I’d been so careful, but it wasn’t enough.
Hand against the cottage, which was really a log cabin with vines growing over it and flowers blooming on the rooftop, I made my way to the side of the house, where Asira pumped water into a giant, round bucket. Not a tub at all, and no, I wouldn’t fit.
She gave a sharp nod when I appeared and gestured to the tub. “It’s not cold, but it’s not hot either. You’ll have to make do with the lukewarm temperature. I have soap that will make you smell like herbs; it’s best for you since you’re still healing. I sprinkled stardust in the water that will help as well. Soak for a while, and I’ll see what clothes I can find for you.”
I smirked at her as I loosened my trousers. “How can I thank you?”
Her gaze snapped to my face as I dropped my trousers and slowly stumbled out of them. A vulnerability flickered across her face, but her next question was unexpected. “You’re one of the Masters, aren’t you?”
I hadn’t imagined having this conversation naked, while I climbed into the bucket of sparkling, herb-scented water. What witchery was this? All the same, I didn’t look like the humans in Terrin; she would have drawn her own conclusions just by looking at me. “I am,” I admitted, sinking into the water.
The makeshift tub was just big enough to hold me, but I had to bend my legs and drape them over the edge. It wasn’t particularly comfortable, but it would do.
I glanced at Asira, who stood with her arms crossed, modestly staring off into the forest instead of at my nakedness.
She had a beautiful home surrounded by trees, with a tiny barn in the back, chickens pecking around it. There was a path that snaked away, perhaps toward Terrin, or—I shivered—the boneyard, and she lived here alone. Did she have no fear?
“What do you want?” I asked.
Her arms tightened around her waist as her voice dipped. Staring off like that, the light caught her hair, and a slight wind blew back errant curls, giving me just a peek of her own pointed ears. Curious. Who exactly was my beautiful savior?
“I…I’m not sure. I grew up here, and I’ve lived well. I have a good job. I heal people, but...” she trailed off, and suddenly, her shoulders sloped in defeat. With a whirl, she faced me, eyes on my face but not meeting my gaze. “I want nothing. My life is fine as is. I’ll go make some food; you must be starving. Come inside when you’re done.”
Just like that, she spun on her heel, and a moment later, the door banged shut.
I tilted my head back, then submerged myself in the water. What a woman. What an attitude!
Slowly, as I lay there, an idea wormed its way through my mind, and try as I might, dangerous as it was, I wanted to enact it.
I was a Master, buried alive, and she was a mortal woman, a lonely mortal woman who didn’t know what she wanted. I had the power to change all that, and with that change, I’d enact my revenge.
3
Asira
Drazhan returned with a towel wrapped around his waist. My face heated as his bulk filled the doorway, and once inside, my cottage felt much smaller as he filled it up with his presence.
A growing scene of unease came over me, and I pointed to the table where I’d placed a collection of clothes. “Something in that pile might fit you.”
