Page 36 of Prize for the King
I want to ask with annoyance what it is that he wants me to say, but Khay sweeps me up in his arms, and I swallow my angry words, holding on to his neck. Stairs sound absolutely exhausting right now.
“Oh, my lady,” he berates me gently. “Are you so spoiled, then? Did your servants know you so well, you never had to ask for anything? I suppose I can do that, too, but not before I learn all about your needs.”
I sigh and close my eyes. Was I spoiled? I suppose I never went hungry, because meals were regularly served, and I had beautiful dresses and luxuries aplenty. My bed was soft and warm, my horse taken care of. I had everything.
On the other hand, whenever Avinia locked me up in the punishment cellar and I pounded on the door for hours, begging to be let out, no one came. I learned fast that some requests were allowed, but not others.
“I’m not used to asking for help,” I settle on saying.
“Hm. We can both learn, then. I’ll be more attentive to your needs without you having to tell me, and you can try to ask me for things sometimes. For example, what do you crave the most right now?”
“A hot bath,” I say with a sigh. “And to wash my hair.”
Khay hums in approval, hoisting me a bit higher in his arms. “That was perfect, little diamond. I’m very pleased.”
A shiver runs down my spine, warmth spreading in my belly, and I open my eyes to see Khay gazing at my face with a self-satisfied smirk.
“You liked that, didn’t you? I’ll praise you every time you ask for something. That should do nicely as an incentive.”
I huff, a bit outraged, but also amused. “It sounds like you’re trying to train me to do tricks.”
“I’ll be the one doing tricks once you let me,” he says with a mischievous grin. “Did you know Vardi has plumbing in this castle? Only on one floor, and it’s sometimes capricious, but the bathtubs are amazing and you get hot water on demand. I’ll draw you the best bath you’ve ever had.”
I swallow, taking a deep, apprehensive breath. Khay snorts at my lukewarm reaction but says nothing, and I wonder what to do. Should I allow him to help with my bath? I hesitate, and not just because it’s so indecent.
Khay makes me feel safe, and I trust him as much as one can trust a person newly met, but at the same time, I do feel a certain unease around him. Just like Magnar, he sends my body into a strange, chaotic state.
All that talk of bets, too. I don’t really have a reason to suspect it had anything to do with me, yet there’s an itch under my skin, a sort of premonition. I can’t help thinking it’s something dirty, and the secretive vagueness makes it even worse.
“And here we are.”
Khay lets me to my feet, and I sigh with pleasure, taking in the large bedroom richly furnished with dark, ornate wood. The carpet is green like my dress, the walls pale yellow. Overall, it’s a cheerful, luxurious space, and I can’t wait to stretch my limbs among the many pillows in the large bed.
“After you, my lady.”
Khay opens the door to the bathroom, and I walk in, gasping when I see the bathtub. It’shuge, probably because it was designed with the Agnidari in mind. It’s not quite big enough for me to swim in, but I think at least three of me could lie in it without being cramped.
“I will, of course, watch over you in case you decide to drownagain.”
I turn sharply to look at Khay, who leans insouciantly against the doorjamb. His eyes crinkle, his laughing lines prominent as he smiles with a hint of teeth. For the first time, I notice how his black shirt molds to his body, tight over his muscles.
His sleeves are rolled up, revealing shapely forearms. I stare, fascinated, when I notice a thick, bulging vein crawling up one of them. My hands itch, and just like with Magnar’s hair before, I have an urge to touch Khay.
“Are you already asleep, little diamond? You haven’t moved for a minute,” he says with a chuckle.
I shake myself off and look at his face, helpless and indecisive. I really want to wash my hair and I’m afraid of falling asleep in the bath, but the way he turns my insides into a fluttering mess makes me wary.
Khay’s expression grows serious as he steps into the bathroom.
“I already saw you, Caliane,” he says softly, and I flinch at the sound of my given name. “Let me take care of you. Please.”
I think it’s the first time I see him like this. His dark eyes are wide open, mouth soft, and he looks so earnest.
I nod.
It’s like he said. I’ll have to get used to it sooner or later.
Khay takes a deep breath and lowers his head, his eyes closed. I expect him to make a smart comment about my acquiescence, maybe poke fun at me a little, but all I sense are relief and gratitude.
