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The prince opened his mouth and then closed it. After a moment, he said, “And was she witness to your prowess?”

“Well…no.”

“That’s it!” he said, snapping his fingers. “You must show her your skill, your bravery. She will melt at your feet!”

“If you are wrong, I shall take the feather from your cap.”

“What about my curls?” he asked.

“What curls?” I asked, a wicked smile tugging at my lips as the prince paled and smoothed his hand over his shorn hair.

Chapter Twelve

The Bell

When I returned to my room, a metal tub full of steaming water waited. My body ached and my bones screamed, and the thought of sinking into the heat made me want to weep with relief.

I closed the door quietly and scanned the room for any signs of fae but saw none. Then I turned my attention to the water, attempting to assess if it had been enchanted. While I did, the door opened.

Naeve entered, grumbling. “What are you waiting for?” she asked. “Get in! You stink!”

I straightened. “Did you order the bath?” I asked.

“Who else?” she snapped.

“Thank you,” I said.

The harsh lines carving the brownie’s face softened at my gratitude, and she averted her eyes as if it made her uncomfortable.

“Hurry, hurry, before the water cools!”

I smiled at her embarrassment and reached behind me in an attempt to loosen the laces of my dress. Casamir had tied them, and they had grown tighter over the two days I’d stayed in this gown. Naeve pushed a stool toward me, climbed it, and took over. With deft fingers, she had the dress undone in seconds. It was stiff as I pushed it down.

Once I was naked, I stepped into the bath. I could not help the moan that escaped my mouth as I sank into the water. For the first time since I’d arrived here, I felt the tension leave my body.

I could not see Naeve, but I could hear her moving about, and I knew she was near when a scrub brush popped up over the edge of the tub. It was followed shortly after by her face as she climbed the chair.

“Lean over,” she said.

I hesitated and considered telling her that I could scrub my own back but decided I’d rather keep her favor, so I did as she said. When she was finished, I leaned back in the bath and immersed myself in the water, enjoying the feel of it cradling my body. When I surfaced, she scrubbed my hair until I thought my scalp might bleed before she poured a fresh bucket of water over my head without warning and then stood, holding out a towel.

My bath was finished, and as I stood and the water dripped off me, Naeve said, “Our prince is an idiot.”

My brows lowered. “What?”

“Take the towel,” she said and then hopped off the chair.

I stepped out of the bath, watching the brownie as she pushed the stool back to the vanity.

Once it was in place, she turned and continued, “He is an idiot, and he is not a good person. He has few positive traits, save that he is handsome, but so are all elven princes, and he will likely never understand your needs because he has never had to think of anyone but himself, but that does not mean he will not try.”

“What are you talking about, Naeve?” I asked, confused by her sudden speech.

“I am trying to help you fall in love with him,” she said.

“What?” I asked on a breathless laugh.

“To be sure, he has not been kind by your standards,” she said, as if she had not even heard me speak. “But by the fae, he has granted you every mercy.”