To Seduce An Assassin (The Omaja Series Book 2)(18)

“Yavi,” she halted him before he opened the door. “Thank you for rescuing me tonight.”

He inclined his head to her briefly, then stepped into the hallway and shut the door behind him. He passed the servant girl on his way out of Yajna’s wing; she was heading back to Graciella’s room with a pitcher of drinking water, a cup, and a piece of flatbread. A pitiful offering for his young sister-in-law’s first night in his house. He wished he could have sent her roasted beef and a heaping pile of potatoes and green beans, mincemeat pie and cream, and a vintage bottle of red wine.

And perhaps dined with her, instead of retreating to his room alone.

Little Graciella isn’t little anymore. He smiled to himself. No, indeed. She was a tad taller than Jiandra, in fact, with sweetly rounded breasts and a smile that took his breath away. Jiandra would want to clobber him if she knew the thoughts that were running through his head about her beautiful younger sister.

He shut himself in his room, went to his washstand, and splashed cold water on his face. He patted dry with a towel, then peered into the looking glass. This surge of lust would pass, he told himself, like it always did whenever he put his mind to it, and he would regain control again.

§

Graciella took the tray and thanked the servant girl, closed and latched the door, then sat down in the armchair by the fire to eat. She was starved, and the cold, slightly stale bread tasted far better than it should have to her hungry stomach.

After washing up and donning her cold, rumpled nightgown, she crawled into the comfy feather bed, settling her head into the pillow and pulling the thick quilts up to her chin. As was her habit, she thought about Yavi before sleep, only tonight it was with far more excitement than usual. He was every inch the strong, quick, devastatingly handsome warrior-assassin she remembered. She couldn’t have asked for a better finale to the evening’s harrowing events but to have him show up to rescue her, take her the rest of the way to Darpan, and then personally escort her to her room and see to her needs. The fire he’d built for her still blazed strong in the fireplace, warming the room and lighting the stone walls with a yellow-orange glow. Throughout their encounter he’d been so concerned and attentive, albeit a little stiff. No smile on that gorgeous face tonight. He was frowning, serious, all business.

Graciella sighed. She was finally back in Darpan with Yavi, and she had every intention of erasing his frown for good.

§

The next morning, her bedroom door flew open. “Gracie!”

Graciella sat up, startled. Her sister rushed to her side and hugged her, half-pulling her out of bed.

“When did you arrive? I didn’t hear a thing last night. I thought you wouldn’t arrive until tonight!”

Graciella chuckled, staring at her sister’s warm green eyes. “It was after midnight. Yavi and I didn’t want to wake you.”

“Yavi? He was up?”

Graciella cleared her throat. She didn’t want to get Yavi in trouble with Jiandra, figured it was best to let him tell her the truth if he so chose. “Ah, yes, he…he was up.”

Jiandra swept her into her arms again. “Oh, little Gracie. It’s so good to have you here!”

Graciella squeezed her sister’s neck. “Thank you for inviting me. I’ve missed you so much, Jia.”

Jiandra pulled back after a moment and swiped at a tear. “All right, Miss Grace, get dressed and meet me downstairs for breakfast. Yajna will be eager to see you as well.”

When her sister left the room, Graciella rose, made her bed, and padded over to the washstand. She peered into the looking glass, examining her reflection in the morning light coming in through the tall, narrow, ornate windows on either side of the bed. Her hair was a mess, her face was pale and pasty, and she had dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep.

“You can’t see Yavi like this,” she told her reflection. “The seduction plan will be ruined if you go down there looking like a swamp hag.”

She brushed out her hair until it shone, then carefully coiled and re-pinned it atop her head. She pulled out a few wisps around her face and neck, scrubbed her face and pinched her cheeks to get some color, and dressed in the new rose-colored gown she’d recently purchased in Kingston because she thought it set off her breasts.

She was sitting in the chair by the fire lacing her boots when Jiandra rapped at the door. “Gracie! Are you dressed yet?”

“Yes, Jiandra, coming!”

Her sister opened the door, beaming.

Graciella stood up, smoothing down her skirt.

“Oh, my! What a beautiful dress! Is that new?”

“Yes, I bought it at Mrs. Gadbee’s shop in town.” Graciella turned from side to side to model it for her.

“My, it’s certainly…a little low-cut in front.”

“Yes. Exactly.” Graciella looked down, adjusted her bosom for greater effect.

Jiandra chuckled. “You’re such a flirt, little sister.”

“Maybe. All I know is, I intend to make my best effort to get Yavi’s attention on this visit.”

“Oh, Gracie.” Jiandra’s smile dissolved. “Don’t get your hopes up too much about Yavi. He’s not the same since his father was killed and he was named emperor.”

“I know he’s become withdrawn, melancholy. But I feel I could give him the love he needs to heal and be happy again.”