Page 71 of Prize for the King
He kisses my forehead a few more times, and I splash him with water twice, but soon, my punishment that’s so unlike any I’ve received in the past is over. Arvi pulls back and stretches, his vest and shirt riding up to show a sliver of his lean abdomen.
I hug my knees to my chest, still fuming at being forced to say such ridiculous things, even as a tiny, inquisitive voice in my head wonders why it was so hard. Arvi was right, it was a simple sentence. Why couldn’t I say it without being forced?
“What do you need right now, my queen?” Raduna asks while Arvi does his breathing exercise to calm his overexcited mind.
“To wash my hair and go to bed.”
Raduna pushes away from the wall and stands next to the tub, his eyes briefly glazing over as they roam me. He closes them and shakes his head, his thin red braids dancing around his muscular arms.
“All right, Arvi. You need to get her hair thoroughly wet first.”
I sigh and lie back before either of them reacts, submerging my scalp. Arvi plunges his hands in the water and gently massages my head, tilting it this way and that.
“You’re done for today. You did amazing, and now all you need to do is rest. Nothing more,” he murmurs, as if sensing my wariness.
I’ve just promised myself not to say anything revealing or even slightly vulnerable again, because I won’t be able to force any more ridiculous lies through my throat. Arvi’s words help me relax, and I sink into the water with ease, laying my head on his steady palm.
“This one is shampoo. Fill your cupped palm, that should be enough for her length.”
Arvi helps me sit up and gently lathers the fragrant substance into my hair. I flinch when he drags his nails down my scalp, something Khay didn’t even try when he washed me, but then I remember Arvi’s claws are blunt. He does it again, and I sigh with pleasure.
“Yeah, I have no more regrets,” he murmurs. “I’ll keep them short and win you over, because none of the others will cut more than three for your sake.”
“This is not a competition,” Raduna rumbles, sounding defensive.
“Maybe to you it isn’t, cause she’s been wearing your underpants and rubbing all over your dick for days. I haven’t had the pleasure yet.”
My thoughts have slowed down, too focused on the bliss of Arvi’s touch, but his meaning registers a moment after he’s done speaking.
“Would you like me to wear yours, too, Arvi?” I ask, still baffled that the men insist on this strange ritual.
“Yes. I want you to ride with me, too.”
Raduna growls at that, and Arvi sighs in frustration, correcting himself. “That is, I would be honored if you rode with me, my queen.”
“Yes. Of course.”
A queen must not have favorites. All knights are equal, eventhough they are so delightfully, frustratingly different from each other.
Khay is seductive and playful. Raduna is serious and protective, and a patient teacher. Arvi is volatile, yet deeply devoted.
And Magnar is powerful, attentive, blunt yet protective, and very annoying. I can’t forgive him for hiding my own shame from me. He should have told me what I did when I was inebriated.
“And now, you take that small pot and use it to rinse it off. Be very thorough.”
Arvi grunts in assent and submerges the pot. I tilt my head back and he pours water down my hair in careful, focused movements.
“Why don’t you have long hair, Arvi?” I ask, remembering how Raduna said it was unusual.
Water splashes my upturned face, and I flail, snorting and coughing. Strong arms steady me until I sit on my heels, gripping the edge of the tub and blowing water out of my nose.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” Arvi repeats, dabbing at my face with a towel. “So careless! Forgive me, sweet. I’m so fucking sorry.”
When I can finally breathe, I snort with laughter, seeing his panicked expression. Arvi can go from mischievously cruel to endearingly lost in a second, and something about his face being so expressive, right next to his unabashedly blunt tongue, makes me trust him.
“It’s all right,” I say, lying back again so he can keep rinsing. “Could have happened to anyone. I mean, it never did, because no maid of mine has ever blundered like that, but I’m sure theycouldhave.”
I giggle, and Raduna joins me while Arvi huffs in irritation. “Keep teasing me. I’ll put you over my knee and…” He breaks off at Raduna’s meaningful grunt. “And do whatever you tell me to, of course.”
