Page 21 of Mushy Stuff (Guardian Mates #1)

The bed in the suite is huge. It’s a four-poster bed with silk curtains. Just like the other rooms, everything is gilded gold or silk covered. There’s even a golden statue of a woman in here as well.

There is a bathroom off to the side, and in it is a gold clawfoot tub. There’s also a toilet; well, not really a toilet—it’s one of the old-style primitive kind that’s basically a hole in a seat. Considering I have been peeing in the woods for a few days, it seems luxurious.

As I take in everything in the room, one of the servants goes over to the wall beside the tub and lowers a panel in the wall.

A golden pipe springs out and is aimed directly at the tub.

The servant rings a small bell twice. I hear a gurgling sound, and suddenly steamy water is running out of the pipe.

I gasp. “How?”

“There is a stream that runs under the estate,” one of the servants says. “Our Lord has a Water Guardian there that controls the water. He heats the water and sends it up the pipes when it’s needed for a bath.”

All I say is, “Oh.” I don’t really want to be friendly with these servants.

I also feel pretty certain that the Water Guardian that heats the bath water isn’t doing this of his own free will.

So I just watch as the tub fills up. The servants add different soaps and oils to the water, and a mountain of sweet-scented bubbles form in the tub.

One of the servants looks at me. “You can get undressed now and get in the tub.”

I take my filthy dress off. It’s still the one from that merchant’s tent, the one that got me into this mess.

I’m standing there in my bra and panties, and the servants are looking at me expectantly.

I can’t just take my bra off because I have the mushrooms tucked into it.

I put on my shyest expression and ask them if I can have some privacy to relieve myself and get in the tub.

One of the servants says, “Yes, just call out when you are ready for us to come help you.” Then they go into the bedroom—I’m assuming to get a dress ready for me to wear to dinner with Lord asshole tonight.

What am I going to do?

I actually did need to pee really bad, so I use the toilet.

There were two baskets beside the toilet.

One had a fresh pile of folded linens in it, and the other was completely empty.

After staring at it for a few minutes, I decide that the linens are for wiping and the empty basket is for the used ones.

There are large decorative vases around the bathroom. I hide my little bag of mushrooms in one of the vases, then I slip my bra and panties off and get into the tub.

Loudly I say, “You can come back.”

The two servants come back into the room and get to work trying to bathe me.

It startles me at first and I try to do it myself, but they ignore my protests.

They are determined to help clean and moisturize my hair and scrub every inch of my body.

So eventually I give up fighting them and follow their instructions.

I stand up when they tell me to and rinse off when they tell me to.

Once I am thoroughly bathed, they tell me to stand and get out of the tub.

Then they proceed to dry me off with a big fluffy towel.

Once I am dried off to their liking, I am allowed to wrap up in the towel, and we go into the bedroom. However, once we are in there, they take the towel from me. Then they rub different oils and perfumes all over my body.

Next, they dress me in what looks like a simple cotton nightgown or slip, but must be some sort of underwear for the dress they have laid out for me.

They have me put on fancy-looking boots next.

That is followed by a corset that makes me look amazing but feels awful.

Then they top it all off with the most elaborate dress I have ever seen.

My hair is swept up into a sophisticated-looking updo and adorned with elegant jewels. And then, they are done.

I stand in front of the mirror for a few minutes just staring at myself. This is easily the most beautiful I have ever looked, but I’m so miserable. I can see it written all over my face. I want out of this awful place. I want to be with Wold.

How did all of this turn into such a mess? Will Wold come after me?

Oh gods, I suddenly remember what this Elven’s plans are for me.

Oh gods, is he going to expect sex tonight?

Will I be able to do that? Will I be able to suffer through and fake it?

I don’t want this. I don’t want any of this.

Is this going to be what my life is like from now on?

Pretty dresses and fancy baths, followed by fancy dinners, then forcing myself to have sex with that horrible… male ?

The thought of him touching me, Gods, I can’t do that.

I begin trembling. I feel like I can’t catch my breath, and I hear my breathing get heavier.

This stupid corset, I can’t breathe with this stupid corset on.

I begin pulling at the dress, desperately trying to figure out a way to loosen it so I can breathe.

One of the servants notices my anxiety and must realize the source.

She gently takes both of my hands in hers.

“Calm yourself, woman. Our Lord only wants dinner and conversation from you tonight. He will wait until you no longer smell of the Guardian before he takes you to his bed. He will satisfy himself with…others until he is able to have you.”

Relief floods through me. But then I realize what she just said. “He has others? Other women or female guests?”

She averts her eyes and shakes her head.

“No, no other guests. He will choose from…” The other servant gives her a look to silence her, and she trails off without finishing the sentence.

I understand though. He will choose from his servants.

Probably one of these two females will have to go to bed with him.

The horror of it settles into me. Gods, this is awful.

“Can I at least know what his name is?” I ask.

The servant says, “It’s Lord Varik. But he will not want you to use his name. Just say ‘my lord’ to him. ”

“Okay. How long will it take for the scent to be gone?” I feel like I have a knot in my throat just from thinking about this.

The servant looks at me and shrugs. “Probably a few days.”

A few days, that’s all I have. Oh gods. I have to figure out how to get out of here.