Page 17 of Between Sun and Moon

The taller strawberry-blonde bowed, her head tilting up, a soft smile adorning her pleasant face. Although her eyes did not meet mine, the fact that she raised her head and offered a smile was a leap in itself.

Seeing the two girls standing there together reminded me a bit of Lyra and Harper, the difference in their height making the connection for me. My heart struck a heavy beat—oh, how I missed them. Ryker too. And Ezra. And Von. Always Von.

“Good morrow, my lady,” they said pleasantly. Once again, they spoke in perfect, practiced unison.

I shifted to the side of the bed and greeted them in return, tacking on, “Please, call me Sage.”

“That is most improper, my lady,” Brunhilde gasped. She looked repulsed, as if I had hocked a loogie in her stew. “They will call youmy lady, and that is that.”

I didn’t have it in me to argue, nor could I see any benefit in doing so, so I kept the ol’ trap shut.

“Now, I also understand that you have not had a proper washing since your arrival. We shall see to that now.” She turned to Naevia. “Dear, please tell them that we are ready for the bath, and then see that the dresses are brought up. And Cataline—” she turned to the other girl, “—go to the kitchen and find out what is taking so long with the breakfast tray. It should have been here a good five minutes ago.”

Five minutes?Someone was a stickler for time.

The girls nodded, starting towards the door.

“Oh, and one more thing, Cataline, make sure it is just a light breakfast—His Royal Highness has arranged for the dressmaker to work with my lady today.”

A wave of nausea trolled my stomach—the prince did what now? Why was he taking a sudden interest in what I wore? It didn’t sit well with me, especially after what happened last night.

A hand pressed against my forehead, the unexpected touch causing me to jolt back.

“Apologies, I didn’t mean to scare you. You looked unwell for a moment there. The color seemed chased from your cheeks,” Brunhilde stated, her hands returning to her voluminous hips. “I was just checking to see if you were running a fever. You know how it is when winter comes—she brings all forms of nasty colds with her.”

“I’m fine,” I assured her. Although the pain in my neck and the nausea in my stomach was making me feel anything but fine.

“Well then,” she patted my hand, softly, “we should get on with the day.”

As if her words were a summoning, two men wearing servant’s clothes carried an empty, wooden tub in. Brunhilde directed them to set the tub by the fireplace. After they left, a continuous line of young boys rolled in and out of my room, each one of them struggling with the heavy buckets as they waddled awkwardly towards the tub. I scrambled off the bed and hurried over to the youngest one, who looked not much older than six.

“Let me help you with that.” I offered him a smile as I slipped my hand around the handle, and lifted, taking the heavy weight off his little legs. He offered me a toothy grin in thanks. It was a pleasant surprise. Apparently, not everyone hated the Cursed in this castle.

Brunhilde swatted at my hands. “Now you give the boy back his bucket, my lady. This is his job, not yours.”

I let her have her way when it came to what the ladies-in-waiting were supposed to call me, but I wasn’t about to let her have her way with this. Ignoring her, I helped the boy with his task, and then I turned to help another one. And then another. Brunhilde didn’t so much as make a peep, but I felt the scrutiny of her glare burrowing holes into my back as I helped the rest.

When the tub was three-quarters full and everyone else had left, Brunhilde motioned for me to get in.

Happily, I complied.

I shucked off my nightgown and tossed it to the side.

After working at the bathhouse, I had very little shame when it came to being undressed in front of other women—something the girl from the cottage would have never done. I dipped my toe into the steaming hot water, a smile gracing my lips as I lowered myself inside.

Heavenly.

Cataline returned with a heavy-looking tray, her eyes rising, so very close to meeting mine—but not quite. Still, it was another step. Brunhilde pulled a small, round end table over beside thetub, motioning for Cataline to set the tray down there, which she quickly did.

The tray housed an expansive spread of breakfast foods. Fruits—no apples—boiled eggs, ham, toasted bread, and cheese. If this was what Brunhilde considered light, I could only imagine what a heavy breakfast would consist of—I doubted poor Cataline would be able to lift such a tray.

Leaning over the edge of the tub, I plucked a grape and popped it into my mouth, a sugary, slightly tart flavor bursting across my tongue.

Brunhilde set her hands in the voluptuous contour of her hips. “I apologize, my lady. This is an old part of the castle so there is no indoor plumbing here. The newer parts of the castle do have it though.”

I nodded while filing that bit of information away—who knew what would be beneficial to my cause. Anything I could learn about the castle seemed like a good thing.

“Well, go on, eat up, my lady,” Brunhilde said, gesturing for me to eat. She didn’t have to tell me twice—I was famished.

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