Page 341 of The Spider Queen

Did he want me to earn my freedom? Even if he and Lucifer were friends, why would he stop his friend?

I had no idea the thought processes of the Gods.

Closing the door to my cabin, I sighed. In the middle of the room was a huge wooden tub filled with steaming water.

“Thank you!” I called out to the ghosts who’d prepared such a luxury and then hoped none of them were around expecting a peep show.

I quickly stripped out of my wet clothes and then stepped into the tub. I moaned out loud as I sank into the steamy water. Before I even reached for the bar of soap, I leaned against the sloped side and closed my eyes.

I was quickly falling into a doze when I felt a blast of hot water fill the tub. My eyes flipped open to find Meghan standing over the tub, bucket in hand, glaring at me.

“Um, ever heard of knocking?” I demanded as I quickly attempted to cover myself.

She rolled her eyes and then sat down on a stool. “It’s time you and I had another chat.”

“You don’t think we could do that in about half an hour when I’m dressed?” I demanded.

“No.” Her eyes pinned me in place. “Why didn’t you ever mention you could breathe underwater?”

“Because I didn’t think about it.”

“Really? Despite the fact that you were going to be traveling with humans—desert people—who already fear the water? My brother, the king of our people, jumped overboard to save you because he thought you needed help.”

Shame and remorse coursed through me. “I’m sorry.”

“Those two words don’t mean anything, Stella. You can’t make those kinds of mistakes and expect everything to be forgiven because you sayI’m sorry. He’s my only brother and he would’ve sacrificed himself for you.”

“Why?” My voice sounded small. “Why would he do such a thing?”

“Because my brother is inherently good. And he would sacrifice himself for a greater cause, and he knows that you need to accomplish your task.”

“It’smycause,” I said, finally looking away, not able to hold her penetrating stare.

“You still don’t trust us—him, me—after everything we’ve done for you.” She paused. “You’ve never had a tribe, have you?”

For the first time in my life, I felt like I owed someone else an explanation. Even with Herron, I never felt the need to explain. Sure, I gave her some information, just so she wouldn’t worry when she was apt to worry. But this… This felt different.

“I only want to tell it once,” I said softly. “So if you let me finish my bath in peace, I’ll get dressed and I’ll sit with you and your brother and Dorian, and I’ll tell you why we’re here. I’ll tell you everything.”

I absently rubbed the bangle at my wrist. It was so light I had forgotten it was there, but now, it felt like a shackle. One I desperately wanted to cut off.

Meghan stared at me for a long moment and then she nodded. “Fine.”

“Can we meet in the dining room? I hadn’t even gotten breakfast before being hauled overboard.”

“Sure.” She stood and went to the door. With her hand on the knob, she stopped again and looked over her shoulder at me. “It doesn’t have to be this way, you know. You can have people.”

Half my mouth quirked up into a genuinely amused smile. “You’re kinder than you let on.”

She wrinkled her nose, but then a small smile appeared on her face. “Don’t tell anyone, okay?”

“I wouldn’t dare.”

She slipped out of my room, and I was alone once again. I reached for the soap and quickly scrubbed off the salt.

When I was clean, I stood, dripping water. Thankfully, the room was warm and I didn’t shiver as I reached for a towel that rested on a small table directly next to the tub.

I wrapped it around me and then grabbed my hair to wring it out. I quickly dressed in a pair of clean trousers and a white shirt, which had been placed on the bed. It seemed the ghosts knew my dress of choice. There was another pair of boots—ones that hadn’t been ruined by the sea.