To Seduce An Assassin (The Omaja Series Book 2)(34)

Jiandra glanced at Graciella. “All right. Thank you, Yavi.”

Yavi took Graciella’s glass and set it on the mantel alongside his, then offered her his arm. She rested her dainty hand inside the crook of his elbow, smiling up at him as he led her out of the study and shut the door behind them.

He walked her slowly down the hallways and into Yajna’s wing, then slowed even more as they made their way down the long passageway to her room, reluctant to bid her goodnight. Graciella didn’t seem to mind—her face bore the most charming of secretive smiles the entire way. He paused outside her door, searching for an excuse to go inside with her at the same time that he was chiding himself for wanting to.

She didn’t release his arm; she merely stood still and waited for him to open the door. He pushed it open and entered the dark room. “Bollocks, why isn’t there a fire going in here? It’s freezing cold.” He stepped out and shouted toward the back end of the hallway. “Ciren!”

“Yes, Sire,” came a faint response.

“Find Liel and tell him I want to see him in Miss Stovy’s room right away!”

“Yes, Sire.”

Externally, Yavi had just displayed his authoritative emperor side, but internally, he was grinning ear to ear. He’d just found an excuse to tarry a moment longer with his delightful female guest.





Seven


Graciella went to light the candle on her night table and then stood by the bed with her arms hugged around herself while her handsome escort knelt to build her a fire. He had just gotten a small flame going when there was a knock at the door.

“Sire, it’s me,” came Liel’s voice through the door.

“Enter.” Yavi moved a twig to spread the flames better.

Liel entered and bowed.

Yavi rose to his feet, hands on hips. “Why was there no fire in Miss Stovy’s room this evening?”

“Sire, I lit the fire myself, an hour ago. Just before dinner ended.”

Graciella spoke up, suppressing a shiver. “It’s true—there was a fire in here when I came in here before meeting you in the study.”

Yavi frowned at Liel. “I don’t understand how it went out, then, and why it’s stone cold in here now.”

“Neither do I, Mahaj. Perhaps a window was left open?” Liel went to check the windows, but found them all latched.

“How is Miss Stovy supposed to go to bed in these freezing temperatures?”

Liel offered a suggestion. “Perhaps I can get some extra blankets, Sire.”

“Yes, get some extra blankets, and send up a steaming hot jug of water for her washstand.”

“Yes, Sire.” Liel bowed and left.

Graciella gave Yavi a tentative smile. His angry expression softened a bit, and he motioned her to come closer to the fire. When she did, he unexpectedly placed an arm around her shoulders to warm her. She snuggled into his side, and as he squeezed her in closer to his torso she noticed it was covered in hard muscle. A blissful warmth radiated through his shirt. He smelled clean and masculine, and she could detect the fragrance of the bergamot soap she’d found on his washstand.

“It seems we’ve placed you in the coldest room in the palace,” he murmured somewhere near the top of her head. “A grand welcome for my little sister-in-law.”

I’m not little, she wanted to protest. “In general my room has been very comfortable. Although a couple of nights ago a window did blow open and let in a cold draft. I’m sure that’s what must have happened after Liel lit the fire tonight. Perhaps another servant came in and closed it.”

“Yes, perhaps that was it.”

She dared to rest her cheek against his thick pec muscle. “It’s comfortable and warm with you here, though.”

She felt him pause and look down at her, then caress her shoulder.

Her moment of heaven was interrupted by a tap at the door. “Sire?”

Yavi released her, stepped away, and cleared his throat. “Enter.”

Liel strode in with an armful of white fur, followed by Tinni carrying a steaming jug of water. The boy filled her washstand while Liel spread the fur covering over her bed.

“That filstoc fur is the warmest bedcovering we have,” Liel said as he worked. “Miss Stovy will sleep like a baby under it, Sire.”

“Good man.” Yavi nodded. “Tomorrow, I want you to tighten the latches on all these windows, ensure they are secure. Miss Stovy says one of them blew open a couple nights ago.”

“Yes, Sire. Anything else tonight?”

“That will be all.”

When the servants were gone, Graciella went over to rub her hand over the thick, soft fur on her bed. “What’s filstoc?”

“It’s a large bear native to the northern tundra of Nandala.”

“Oh. I’m sad he had to give up his life for my bed covering, but his fur is beautiful.”

Yavi smiled. “I’m sure this one died a peaceful death of natural causes, and went to live with the Old Gods soon after.”

Graciella looked over her shoulder at him and grinned. “We both know that’s a load of rubbish.”

He chuckled, then cleared his throat and fixed his silvery gaze on her face. “Well, everything appears to be in order now, or as best as I can make it.”