“What?” She wrinkled her nose at the last part, a little shocked, not the least of which was because the girl had not only sworn at her but was telling her to seduce the very man she’d warned her away from. “Why in Kingdom would you tell me that? Weren’t you the one urging me away? I should have listened to you.” She rubbed her nose, wanting nothing more than to crawl under the sheets and go back to sleep.
“Shayera Caron.” Dalia planted her hands on her hips. “I like ye, nay, I’ve come to look at ye as a bit of a sister, charms notwithstanding.” She gave a mischievous wink. “And I’m telling ya that ye’ve got very little time to make a lasting impression on the master that will decide your fate.”
“What fate?” She rolled her neck from side to side, wincing at the tightness on the right. “I begged him to tell me what he has planned. He never does. Keeps his thoughts locked tighter than Pandora’s box.”
“Eh.” Dalia gave a wide grin. “I know Pandora, she’s a right cheeky lass and should never have been in charge of sumthin’ so powerful as that box, but no matter.” She waved her hand. “Point is, I’ve changed me mind. You must seduce the master.”
“No.” And on that she would not budge. Bad enough that she suffered the dreams every night, at least her days belonged to her. “You were right; I should stay far away from him.”
“No, miss, I was very, very wrong. You affect the master. In ways I could never have imagined. Ever since the night of the feast, he’s been a beast. Growling and snapping at all of us. I never see you two together anymore, why?”
She sighed. “It’s private, and… I can’t forget about that wolf. You said that bowl would show me wonder and joy, but Rumpel has brought me nothing but misery and suffering.”
Nibbling on the corner of her lip, the maid looked around as if anxious that no one hear and whispered, “The master’s no wolf, miss. Pure royal blood cannot assume an animal familiar.”
Relief warred with a very minor twinge of disappointment. Not that it would have mattered anyway. Shayera had never had any intentions of pursuing any sort of a romance with him.
Absolutely not.
Never even crossed her mind.
She ignored the tiny voice that called her a liar.
“Now c’mon on with ya.” Dalia yanked on her hand and finally, finally Shayera consented to stand.
“Fine, fine,” she grumped. “I’ll bathe and I’ll even let you do my hair, but ask no more of me.”
“Your wish is my command.” Dalia crossed her arms like a djinn and nodded her head.
The two laughed and Shayera kept to her end of the bargain. Dressed and showered and smelling a million times better, she made her way to the dining hall for a late meal.
Cook had left a tea tray out for her. Smiling, she took a few finger sandwiches and wrapped them up in a doily. It was nice out and suddenly she longed to eat out by the lake and watch as the birds flew overhead.
In no time she was sitting and eating and immediately the soothing calm of nature brought a smile to her lips.
“Miss,” a sweet boy’s voice cried out, and she turned just in time to see Kai running full tilt her way. He waved cheerily and then flopped down beside her. “I thought I saw you headed out this way a second ago.”
“Kai, hello.” She gave him a small shoulder bump. “Hungry?” She showed him the last cucumber sandwich.
Taking it with a nod of thanks, he ripped into it. Hugging his knees to his chest, he pointed. “I was thinking of fishin’ today. Right there. Me da says they’re biting.”
“My dad says, and yes, that would be lovely.”
“My dad says, and good.” He gave her a gap-toothed grin and before long Shayera was laughing and smiling and the memories of the nights were almost completely forgotten.
They whiled away many happy hours as he mostly chatted about what new water vessels he’d be crafting soon. They caught no fish, but catching fish wasn’t usually the point of fishing anyway. At least not with Briley. It’d always been about sharing and talking and catching up.
“Good-bye, miss. I think I hear Mum callin’.” The sun had settled lower in the sky and he waved.
“Come find me anytime you’d like, Kai. I’m always happy to see you.”
With a final wave, he turned and trotted off.
“And would you be as equally happy to see me?” A voice she’d not heard in weeks shivered like silken honey down her spine and made her gasp.
Twirling, heart dropping to her knees, she blinked. “Rumpel, what are you doing here?”
“Spying.” He grinned, giving her a heated once-over. “What does it look like?” When his eyes finally joined hers, they didn’t smile.
In fact, once her shock wore off, she realized he didn’t look well. His skin was still that golden, beautiful bronze, but he seemed tired. Less vibrant.
“You don’t look very good,” she whispered and then caught herself and shook her head.
“No.” He held up a hand as she made to move back. “I don’t feel well. I pace these halls for any glimpse of you. I’ve missed you, Carrot.”