Page 36

“And I’d like a bath.” Layala was still self-conscious that she smelled like goat turds.

Kail lifted a hand and curled his finger. “Of course. I’ll have Alisara assist you. She has impeccable taste.” Layala didn’t even have to turn to know exactly who Alisara was.

The brunette appeared at the table a few moments later, blowing a stream of sweet-smelling smoke at Layala. She arched a sleek eyebrow, looking from Layala, to Thane and then Kail. “Yes?” she said in a slow, melodic voice.

“Sister, Laya here needs some new attire. Would you be a peach and get her a few changes of clothes?” He turned back to Thane and Layala. “Will that be enough? How long do you plan to stay?”

“Not long. Perhaps for the night,” Thane answered. “But a week’s worth of clothes would be appreciated. Traveling attire preferably.”

“Of course.” She dipped her head. “Anything for you, Highness.” Layala didn’t like the way her seductive gaze lingered on Thane. But Alisara held out her arm to gesture for her to follow, and Layala stood. She needed that bath.

Thane grasped her wrist, offered a brief smile, and kissed her knuckles. “I’ll be right here.”

She nodded as a nervous pull tugged at her insides. Parting with him so soon even if it wasn’t for long, reminded her of their mate bond being torn apart, leaving her with a gaping hole that still ached. Her stomach knotted the moment he dropped her hand.

Thane turned back to Kail. “Remember that thing I asked you to find me? Did you?”

“I did,” Kail’s voice drifted away as Layala followed behind Alisara. What did he ask him to find? She glanced back once more, trying to ignore that incessant feeling not to leave Thane. His bright-green eyes watched her with predatory awareness. With a deep breath Layala pulled her gaze away focusing on where she walked. The tables full of leering males made her skin crawl.

“Don’t worry, most of them are harmless,” Alisara said over her shoulder, blowing another puff of smoke. “But you are fresh meat so don’t begrudge them for looking.”

“I’m afraid I’m not much to look at at the moment.” She gestured to her dirty dress.

Alisara dragged her lavender gaze up and down Layala and she turned without a word.

Before she got to the other side of the hall, Thane appeared at her side. “I’m walking you to the room.”

The relief that washed over her was like warm summer rain. She slipped her hand into his and bumped her cheek into his shoulder.

Alisara turned slightly but kept walking. “This is your mate, isn’t it? The one you always told me you waited for.”

“Yes,” Thane answered. Layala absently touched her wrist where the mate mark had been all her life—gone now. She glanced between the two of them. Did Alisara have feelings for Thane? They had some sort of past if he’d told Alisara about her.

A not-so-genuine smile pulled up the corners of Alisara’s mouth. “Congratulations.”

They marched up a set of creaky wooden stairs with crooked frames hanging on the walls, passed several doors on either side of the long hallway, and ended up at the last room on the right. A gold key ring jingled from her pocket, and she stuck a thick silver key into the lock. It clicked and she pushed through the door. It was a small, plain room holding a narrow bed with red velvet covers. What appeared to be a large silver trough with a metal pump of some kind sat in the corner with a small arched brick fireplace behind it.

“Pull the lever a few times and hot water will run. There should be some soap and oils on the tray next to the tub. I’ll be back with some clothes in a little while.” She hovered near the door. “You and I look to be about the same size so it shouldn’t be difficult.”

“Running water?” Layala asked, stepping across the room. She touched the metal handle and inspected the spout.

“Yes. My brother’s invention. He’ll have to speak with you about installing it in the castle.”

Thane plopped down on the bed, sliding his hand over the top of the velvet blanket. “Perhaps when I’m not a wanted fugitive.”

“I’d heard there was a bounty on your head. Be careful, Thane.” She rested a hand on the door handle, popping out one of her hips. “Money corrupts and the amount your father is offering would be enough to make even the most loyal consider turning on you.”

“And where does that leave us then?” Thane asked, giving her a hard stare Layala had only seen him use a few times. Usually right before he was going to kill someone. The coldness of it sent a chill down Layala’s back and it wasn’t even directed at her.

She raised her chin slightly. “You know I have plenty of money,Your Highness.”

“And yet you’re never satisfied.”

So these two did have a past. It’s not that Layala believed Thane didn’t have a life before her, but the tension between these two left her with a lot of questions. They clearly knew each other on a deeper basis than mere acquaintances.

“You’ve always been able to trust my brother and me.” She closed the door gently behind her.

Layala walked to the metal trough and tugged on the waterspout handle a few times. Water indeed rushed out of the spout. Her fingers glided through the hot water, and she smiled. It would feel wondrous on her grimy skin and hair. She peeked over her shoulder at Thane, debating on asking him about his relationship with Alisara.