To Seduce An Assassin (The Omaja Series Book 2)(78)

Yajna and Jiandra chose the first pool from the entrance, and Yavi said something to the monk, who nodded and left.

“He’s bringing some towels and robes,” Yavi told Graciella in a hushed tone as he led her to the pool at the far end.

She gazed down at the still water, at the misty steam rising off its surface. “It looks inviting,” she whispered, untying his cloak from around her neck.

He helped her remove the cloak, then folded it for her and laid it on the stones nearby. “These pools work miracles on tired muscles and ease the mind as well. Go ahead and get in—I’ll wait for Eliv outside by the archway.”

“But—don’t you want to soak?”

“Yes, but I’ll wait until you’re done.”

“You could join me,” she suggested.

He smiled. “I would love that, but Yajna and I need to speak with Master Volkan first. Go ahead and soak, Sheir-zin. I’ll go wait for Eliv to return, and then I’ll bring you a towel and a robe.”

After he left, Graciella sat on a low wooden bench near the pool and tugged off her boots. She stood to pull her ruined dress over her head, then stripped off her petticoat and chemise. She stepped close to the pool’s edge and dipped a toe into the blissfully steamy water, then climbed down the steps to sink into it up to her neck.

She felt around her bedraggled coiffure for any remaining pins that might have survived the evening’s ordeal, carefully collected them in her palm, washed them, and placed them on a rock near the side of the pool where she could find them later. She leaned her head back to rinse her hair, smiling at the heavenly feeling of the warm mineral water gently buffeting her naked body.

Soon Yavi’s voice came from around the corner. “I have some supplies for you, Sheir-zin.”

She grinned, stretching her arms out to float them along the pool’s surface. “Well, bring them in.”

He came around the wall and placed a stack of linens on a large, flat rock near the pool’s edge, setting a cake of soap and a comb on top.

“Are you sure you don’t want to join me? The water’s wonderful.” She rose up slightly to reveal the upper swell of her breasts above the water.

He glanced down at her chest. Then back up at her face, swallowing. “I’ll be back in a moment. After we’ve met with Volkan.” He turned to go, calling out to Yajna to join him.

Graciella sighed and reached for the soap, lathering it up to wash her hair while he was gone.

§

Yavi and his brother bowed deeply as the elder monk entered the room. “Master Volkan,” they greeted him in unison.

“Mahajin,” Volkan replied. “You have ill news for me.”

“Yes, Master.” Yavi’s jaw tightened. “A son of Thakur has emerged to challenge the throne. His name is Uman, and he’s Vyrkune.”

Volkan’s eyebrows rose. “Vyrkune?”

“He’s raising an army of other Vyrkune to fight us,” Yajna added. “We can’t kill them with sword or arrow. Yavi had to give Uman the emperor’s ruby in order to free Jiandra’s sister from their clutches.”

Volkan frowned. “This challenger took young Graciella captive?”

“Yes.” Yavi’s heart twisted at the memory of seeing her helpless in their grasp. “But we got her back safely.”

Volkan shot him a fierce look. “You must protect her, Yavi.”

“I will protect her with my life, Master. Always.”

The monk patted his shoulder. “Do that, my son, and Tejeshwar might smile on you with the gift of her love.”

Yavi swallowed. “A precious gift that would be, Master.”

“Precious to him who already loves her with all his heart.”

“Do I have your blessing, Master?” Yavi asked hopefully.

Volkan studied his face. “How does the girl feel about you, Yavi? Have you had any indication?”

Yavi thought about her making his favorite Nandalan dishes, sneaking into his room to spy on him, and lacing his cake with Tongkat Ali to weaken his almost-nonexistent defenses against her beauty. “I believe she feels the same way as I do, Master.”

The monk held his gaze. “She has told you as much, hasn’t she?”

“Yes.”

“Then love and protect her, Yavi. You have my blessing.”

Yavi grasped the old monk’s hand in gratitude.

Yajna cleared his throat. “I hate to interrupt, but now that Uman has the ruby, Master, I fear that will only embolden him in his quest. It may cause more Nandals to join his ranks. And Tejeshwar appeared to Jiandra at the temple in Nirren and told her Yavi and I must prove our worth by achieving victory over this enemy.”

Yavi spoke up. “We know there must be some way to kill the Vyrkune if Tejeshwar ordered us to fight victoriously. We just don’t know what it is.”

Volkan paced to the window. He turned back to address Yavi. “Do you still have the sword of the Zulfikars? The one your father gave you?”

“Yes, it’s in my quarters at the palace in Darpan.”

“There is a legend that Emperor Archan of the Zulfikars fought Vyrkune with it. Centuries ago.”

“Archan?” Yajna furrowed his brow. “I do not know this name. Do you, brother?”

Yavi shook his head. “I’ve never heard of him.”