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Runa barked a laugh, the sound erupting like bubbles in the finest of champagne. She tilted her delicate chin, peering down her nose at me. “You know, you’re not the only one with a silver tongue. While speaking with some of our competitors, I learned that Reuben stole food to feed his family. Dexter accidentally dropped a lantern and was convicted of arson. And Adolph attempted to free his ailing mother from debtor’s prison and was captured. There are many here who are more than criminals.”

“I suppose you’ll say you are one of them. That you are wrongly accused. A generous outlaw stealing for the good of others.”

“Oh, no.” She grinned. “I’m guilty as sin. The worst this place has ever seen.”

My lips curled. “Yes, you are.”

Again, her laughter had my insides twisting. I tensed my stomach, quelling the reaction. This female, this thief, shouldn’t have this kind of effect on me or any effect at all, for that matter.

In rebuttal, I uttered a disappointed sigh. “Your opinion of the others is rather naive. Reuben killed the shopkeeper and two of his customers in his endeavor. Dexter razed a building containing his ex-wife and her new lover. Adolph gutted a guard who had three children while rescuing his drug-addicted mother.”

Runa sank deeper into the water. “It’s all in your perspective, I suppose.”

Given her casual response, she hadn’t believed a word of my lies. Interesting. There were few capable of seeing through my manipulations.

Feet scuffed behind us, and I tensed.

“May I help you with your bath, Master Custodis?” Milani asked.

Of course, the simple-minded servant would want to touch me. I glanced in Runa’s direction, finding the narrow glare she directed at the other woman amusing. Could it be my partner didn’t appreciate the servant’s attention? Perhaps she was annoyed at witnessing proof that I was, in fact, irresistible to the opposite sex?

“Yes, by all means,” I said with a flutter of my hand.

Two slim legs hit the water flanking me. Milani sat on the ledge, placing my frame in the cradle of her thighs.

“I selected a special fragrance for you. One I’m certain you will enjoy.”

“Very well,” I agreed absently.

Sudsy hands caressed my upper back, Milani’s fingertips kneading my flesh.

I had to admit it felt divine. “Harder,” I groaned, and the brownie complied.

Heat seared the side of my face. The source—Runa’s daggered glare.

Finished with my shoulders, the servant guided my head back to rest in her lap, then proceeded to bathe my chest. While I found her ministrations relaxing, her honey and wheat fragrance singed my nostrils. She smelled nothing like the sorceress’s spicy fragrance of pears and cinnamon.

With my upper body spotless, Milani trailed a hand up the inside of her thigh. “If you’d like, Master Custodis, it would be my honor to nourish you before your first challenge.”

She offered her femoral? It had been a while since I’d fed in such an intimate fashion. The effects were known to be rather orgasmic. However, the thought of Runa watching me while I fed from the woman held a certain appeal. Before I could utter a word, Runa shot upright in the water.

“That will be enough, Milani.”

“But—”

“You are excused,” she snapped.

“Yes, Mistress Runa,” the servant whined, withdrawing from the water and slapping away on sodden feet.

Rather than resume her relaxing soak, the sorceress exited the pool and settled behind me as Milani had. One shapely calf on either side of me.

I tensed, expecting to feel her slim fingers wrap around my neck.

Twitch. Twitch.

Bloody hell.

“What are you doing?” I asked, my voice a husky, grating sound.