To Seduce An Assassin (The Omaja Series Book 2)(35)

“Yes. Thank you.”

“I’ll take my leave so that you may use your washstand before the water cools too much.”

“Yes.”

“Well, good night.”

She wanted to rush across the room and push herself into his arms again, beg him to stay a bit longer, but chose to behave herself instead. “Good night, Yavi.”

When he was gone, she quickly stripped out of her clothes and washed up, tugged her nightgown over her head, and crawled into the cold bed. The filstoc fur was heavy and comforting on top of her coverlet, and soon she drifted off into peaceful sleep under it, pretending Yavi was holding her as she slept.

§

Yavi lay in bed, one hand behind his head, the other resting over the emperor’s ruby, deep in thought.

Troubling thought.

If he had known that Graciella had grown into such a beautiful young woman, he never would have agreed to send for her to visit right now. Not now, while he was acutely missing his mother and father, and feeling his loneliness made all the more apparent in comparison to his brother’s happy marriage. The more he was around Graciella, the stronger the temptation became, and tonight he’d indulged himself a bit too much by holding her. She’d curled up against him as if it were the most natural thing in the world for him to hold her in his arms by the fire.

It’s comfortable and warm with you here, she’d said. As he watched her caress the filstoc fur with her delicate hand, he’d wanted to crawl under it with her, show her a level of comfort and warmth she’d never known before. And the way she’d snuggled against him almost felt like she was seeking his touch, but he was certain she thought of him more like an older brother, or an uncle. Not a lover. And either way, she was off limits. He wouldn’t break his oath.

He rubbed a hand over his face. “She’s off limits,” he repeated aloud to himself in Nandalan. Get her out of your head.

It wasn’t working. Her sweet smile, lovely hazel eyes, and silky dark hair—all of it was emblazoned on his brain. He needed a plan that would keep him away from temptation. No more late-night chats in his study, for one. She had a way of drawing out his innermost thoughts and feelings when they conversed in the intimacy of his private study. And no more popping in on her in the kitchen—she was far too sexy when she was cooking.

And certainly, definitely, absolutely no more escorting her to her room late at night, because next time, he might not be strong enough to leave.

§

The next morning after breakfast Graciella sat at the desk in the library making a list of supplies they needed in the kitchen while her sister worked on knitting a blanket for her baby. The twins were outside in the courtyard, practicing their sword skills and archery.

There was a tap at the door, and Jiandra called for the servant to enter.

Liel came in and bowed. “Your Highness, a farmer is here from the village of Nirren, asking to speak with you.”

Jiandra set her knitting aside and rose to her feet. “What is it about?”

“I don’t know, Your Highness, but he says it’s urgent.”

Graciella stood up. “Would you like me to accompany you, sister?”

“Yes, please.”

The two women followed the steward down the main staircase and into the Great Hall, then stood waiting by the throne for Liel and Wolfan to usher in the farmer. He wore worn leather boots and a threadbare coat, and held his cap in his hands.

He bowed deeply to Jiandra, then said something in Nandalan.

Liel translated. “He says thank you, Your Highness, for receiving him today. He has an urgent request from Nirren. The village has been struck with Vinta fever.”

Jiandra nodded to the visitor. “Go on.”

The man spoke again, a pleading look in his silver eyes.

Liel translated. “Some have already died, and others are deathly ill. They need your assistance, and he’s asking if you would be willing to come to the village and heal the sick with the Omaja stone.”

“Absolutely,” Jiandra replied. “Give him some water and something to eat, and have him wait while I speak with the emperors. Wolfan, would you please go out to the courtyard and ask them to meet me in the library?”

Wolfan bowed curtly. “Right away, Your Highness.”

§

Graciella looked up as Yavi and Yajna entered.

“What’s this about?” Yajna asked his wife.

Jiandra related what the peasant had said. “What is Vinta fever?”

The men exchanged glances, and Yavi answered solemnly. “It is the sickness that killed our mother.”

“Oh dear,” Jiandra said.

“It spreads through contact with infected people or animals,” Yajna explained. “It’s common on ranches and farms.”

Jiandra nodded. “I’d better go and take care of it immediately. Will you escort me, husband?”

“Of course. You are certainly not going without me.”

“How far away is Nirren?” she asked.

“About a day’s ride by coach. We would need to stay at an inn for at least one night.”

Graciella spoke up. “Would you like me to accompany you as well, sister?”

“No, I don’t think there is any reason for you to make such a grim journey during your visit here. Yavi, what do you think?”