Chapter Sixteen

KEYARA

The door clicked shut, and she rested her forehead against it, taking a much-needed moment to gather herself. She had wanted to pull him inside the room and beg him to kiss her again.

Her life up until this point had just been about surviving one day to the next; she had never felt this way about anyone.

She had never even kissed a man before Ash. She felt light-headed with her sudden brazenness and was glad she had resisted making a fool of herself.

She let out a deep sigh and turned around, taking in the room. It was pleasant and well-appointed. A large bed was against one wall, covered in rich blankets and furs.

An armchair was in the corner with a small table next to it and a bookshelf with a modest selection of books.

In the other corner there was a screen, and she could see steam rising from behind it, filling the air with a sweet floral scent.

She ducked behind the screen and saw the enormous bathtub filled with water. There was a cloth hanging over the side to wash herself with, and a soft robe draped over a stool.

She quickly took off her tattered clothes. She frowned at them. They seemed so out of place in this pristine room. She folded them and set them beside the tub.

She took the precious package containing the portrait out of her pocket and set it on the stool under the robe. She untied what was left of her braid and ran her fingers through her hair, pulling out the tangles.

She hesitantly stepped over the side of the tub, easing her foot into the water. The bath was hot and luxurious, filled with sweet-smelling oil. She lowered the rest of herself into the tub.

She sighed and leaned back, completely submerging herself in the water.

The heat soaked through her tired body, and she did not know how long she lay that way, but every muscle was completely relaxed, and the water had long since begun to cool.

She dipped her head under and scrubbed her hair, rinsing it over and over to get out all the dirt. A bath at home was usually just a bucket of warm water.

It had been a long time since she’d washed her hair, she realized shamefully. She washed herself with the cloth and stepped out, wringing out her hair into the tub and grabbing the robe.

It was huge; surely it was loaned from one of the enormous men. She tied it around herself and rolled up the sleeves, but it was still swimming on her.

She retrieved the package from the stool and slipped it into the pocket of the robe.

She sat on the bed, leaning against the soft pillows, to wait for the promised change of clothes. The hot water had let the fatigue creep back into her body, and she was soon asleep.

ASH

He hurried through his business, penning quick notes to the other human kingdoms apologizing for having to miss his scheduled meetings and proposing some alternate dates, if they desired. He hoped that they would not.

~“Rowan, I need you.”~

~“Yes, Alpha, on my way.”~

The warrior appeared in the doorway of Ash’s small office, dressed in leather like the others, his dark hair pulled back.

“I apologize for sending you back the way we just came, but I need you to handle this for me,” he told Rowan.

Rowan nodded. “My pleasure, Alpha,” he said at once.

“Deliver these to the lords we were supposed to travel to see. They announce our absence this year. If they press, keep our reasons vague but stay respectful.

“Obviously steer clear of King Pershing’s castle. Take the valley road,” Ash commanded him, handing him the bundle of messages.

“Of course,” Rowan replied.

“Now, for Lord Axell,” Ash continued. “He’s putting off the spice shipment, hoping for more coins. I don’t care what extra expenses he tries to convince you of, a deal is a deal.

“Remind him we agreed on an amount long ago, and tell him we will take our business to Saphine if he persists. I do not think he will call your bluff. It is a very large shipment. If he does, then leave.

“I’m sure we will hear from him soon enough if that happens, and if not, we have enough inventory to last us until next year if we pinch down.

“Alpha Fox will just have to go without his hot peppers from the south. Maybe less spice will improve his mood,” Ash mumbled

The corners of Rowan’s mouth turned up at Ash’s final words, but he knew better than to laugh. “Yes, Alpha.” He tipped his head in respect and took his leave.

Ash rubbed a hand over his face. He was exhausted.

He pushed himself up from the desk and went into the common room. By the roaring fireplace was a chest of spare clothes.

Sometimes they needed to shift unexpectedly to travel fast and left their clothes behind. Many showed up here needing something to change into.

He dug through the spare shirts and breeches until he found a pair of leather pants he thought might fit her. They were meant for an adolescent werewolf male, but they should be small enough for her.

He grabbed the smallest shirt he could find and went to deliver the promised change of clothes.

He tapped softly on her door, but there was no answer. He opened it quietly and smiled at the sight that greeted him.

She was asleep on the bed, curled up on one side with her hands clasped to her chest. Her dark chestnut hair was spread on the pillow, still slightly damp from her bath.

She was draped in his oversized robe, and the sight of her in his things sparked a deep desire. The room was filled with her scent, and before he could stop himself, he was drawn to her.

He placed the clothes carefully on the end of the bed and perched lightly on the edge, behind her. He stroked a lock of damp hair from her bruised cheek, tucking it gently behind her ear.

She moaned softly and stirred, opening her eyes and turning slightly toward him.

“I’m sorry, Keyara, I didn’t mean to wake you. I brought you some clothes.”

“Mmm,” she replied sleepily. “Thanks. Not tired, Ash?” she asked, barely awake.

“Yes, I’m tired, Key. I’m going to sleep now.”

“C’mere then,” she said, grabbing his hand and turning away from him, tugging his arm with her.

He let himself be pulled beside her, kicking his boots to the rug as he moved. He put his arms around her and pressed his face into her sweet-smelling hair.

Before he knew it, he was asleep.