Dragons Against Them (Kingdoms of Fire and Ice #2)(28)
She had done nothing, said nothing to upset him when she spoke before the queen, yet Rosalind felt as though Jaxon’s anger was with her. Since his return from assisting Rachel to her room, he had barely looked at her, let alone met her gaze. His movement had lost its fluid, confident grace and was now stiff and seeming on the verge of attack.
An attack Rosalind must seek to avoid if she was to find success in Weston.
So when he led her into a chamber at the end of a long hall with the instructions, “Do not under any circumstances leave this room,” she answered with but a small nod and quiet word of thanks. Only then did his gaze seek hers, so intense she felt as though he was searching her very soul for the answer to some unasked question. Then, without a word, he returned to the hall, closing the door securely behind him.
With a sigh of relief—for to remain under his gaze was exhausting in and of itself—she collapsed onto a nearby chaise. This village, this clan, had her quite vexed. No one seemed to speak in full sentences, but rather spoke in riddles. Why had the queen dismissed Adelaide’s reappearance until hearing of Prince Zayne’s involvement? And then to leave without another word?
A rap sounded upon the door, and a tiny-framed woman stepped into the room. She wore a bright yellow gown that hugged her bodice then extended unruffled to the floor. It swirled about her as she approached with a tray of breakfast tea and meats. Her braided brown hair hung the length of her back, the style making her topaz eyes look all the wider. Rosalind cast the woman a wary look.
“Princess Rosalind, I am Ella, sister to Giselle. The queen asked me to see that you were made comfortable and fitted with clean clothes. Tell me, is there a color gown you prefer?”
Finally, the presence of rational thought. She offered the woman a small smile. “Please tell the queen her hospitality is greatly appreciated, as is your kindness.”
“I shall. And you are quite welcome.”
She gave Rosalind a brief tour of the room and an adjoining smaller space that contained both facilities for her to relieve herself and to freshen up. Once Rosalind had done both, she returned to the main room, where she found Ella waiting for her with several gowns draped over one arm.
“Blue, do you think? Or red, perhaps?”
Rosalind eyed the gowns, again so unlike those worn by women in her kingdom. Less frill and fluff, yet still elegant and sensual. She found herself wondering if the sight of her in such garb might lessen Jaxon’s unexpected anger toward her. But the thought only brought with it guilt as she pictured Quinn next, wearing a dark look of jealousy.
“Would you pick for me? It is too difficult to choose as they are both beautiful.”
“Red, then.” Ella set the other down and helped Rosalind dress.
“Is this your preferred color?”
“No, I prefer lighter colors. Colors of the sun, the flowers, and the fields.” Ella finished with the gown’s ties, then turned Rosalind so that she could see herself in the room’s large mirror. “But on you, this color looks magnificent.”
Rosalind found herself blushing at the compliment, though she could not argue otherwise. The gown fit her perfectly, both in girth and length. Its bodice emphasized the curve of her full breasts, while its long, flowing length added an air of mystery to what lay beneath the simple lines of the fabric. “Thank you.”
“Is there anything else I can retrieve for you, Princess?”
She looked from her reflection to the smiling woman beside her. “If one were to wish a bath be drawn, where would one go? I saw no tub in this space.”
“True, there is not. We choose to bathe in the stream on the west edge of town, where the waters are clear and cool, and serve to cleanse both body and spirit. ’Tis a tradition of ours, contrary to what you are accustomed to, I am afraid. I could take you there now, if you like. Or if you prefer bathing in the dark for modesty’s sake, I would be happy to lead you to the water’s edge at twilight.”
Rosalind’s gaze shifted to the room’s lone window, awash in sunlight. It was one thing to intentionally expose herself to the willing men in her castle, but something else entirely to bathe before a village of strangers. Would they stare? Would Jaxon see?
Why does he haunt my thoughts so?
She looked back to Ella and smiled. “Tonight will be fine, thank you.”
“Very well. Do try to make yourself comfortable, and rest if you like. Dinner shall not be served for several hours, and the queen has asked that you remain here until then. She apologizes for being absent these next few hours, but as your host, she has many preparations now to make.”
“Oh?” A wave of unease washed over her.
“As Rachel said, we have been expecting you.” Ella’s smile widened. She walked to the door and paused. “And seeing you in that gown will indeed improve Prince Jaxon’s mood. It was for him that I brought it to you.”
With that, she glided into the hall and pulled the door shut behind her, leaving Rosalind in stunned silence. What had she done to alert Ella of her thoughts concerning Jaxon? And then she remembered…
She was among witches.
Not only did it seem she could trust no one in this village, but she would need to guard her thoughts better as well. Especially thoughts about a mysteriously captivating man she had no intention to pursue.
Chapter 14