Page 20

Chapter Twenty

Aleksander

True to her word, Breda returns exactly ten minutes later, arms laden with a fresh tray and various healing supplies.

“Your punctuality is remarkable.” I step aside, letting her bustle into my chambers. “Did you run the whole way?”

“Only half.” Carefully, she sets everything on my desk, completely missing my sarcasm. “The kitchen staff wanted to gossip.”

“About me, no doubt.” I drop into my chair, eyeing the steaming bowl of stew. “I’m sure my face is the talk of the palace by now.”

She dampens a cloth with some herbal concoction. “Actually, they were discussing Lady Tahira’s new gown. Apparently, the seamstress used the wrong shade of blue for the fabric.”

A laugh escapes me before I can stop it. “You’re either lying to protect my pride or the kitchen staff is more vapid than I thought.”

“Neither.” She steps closer, cloth raised. “May I?”

I wave my hand in resignation. “If you must.”

The moment the cloth touches my jaw, I let out a sharp exhale, but Breda doesn’t flinch or apologize. She just continues her methodical cleaning with gentle, sure movements.

“You have steady hands,” I observe.

“Grandmother again.” Torchlight flickers across her round face as she dips the cloth in more solution. “She taught me healing arts before she passed.”

“Was she as stubbornly kind as you?”

“Worse.” A small smile plays at her lips. “She once nursed a wounded fox back to health, even after it bit her twice.”

“And what happened to this fox?”

“It stayed with her till the day she died. Sometimes the ones who fight help the hardest need it most.”

I catch her wrist, stopping her movements. “I’m not some wounded animal for you to rehabilitate.”

“No.” She meets my gaze without fear. “You’re just a man who’s hurting.”

Something twists in my chest, something dangerously close to vulnerability. I release her wrist and look away. “Are you finished?”

“Almost.” She applies a thick paste to the worst of the bruising. “There. Now eat your stew before it gets cold.”

“You’re rather bossy for a servant.”

“Only when necessary, My Lord.” She gathers her supplies and heads for the door. “Only when necessary.”