Page 133 of A Broken Throne of Bronze

Peeling my sweat-stained dress from my body, I leave it in a heap on the floor of my washroom. I lower myself into the tub, the hot water already soothing my aching muscles. I scrub my arms with soap until my skin is free of dirt, oil, and sweat. Lifting my fingers to my scalp, I slowly work the soap into my hair next. When I’m done, I sink lower into the tub and lay back, so all but my face is submerged.

I revel in the silence. Closing my eyes, I take long, deep breaths that fill my lungs.

Now that the adrenaline that’s been powering me is gone, my limbs feel heavy with exhaustion. As does my mind.

I soak like that until I hear my chamber door open.

“Your Highness?” Tiffy calls.

It takes me a moment to realize that she’s calling for me.

“In here,” I reply, shifting into a sitting position.

Metal clanks—the dinner cart, most likely—and then Tiffy appears in the doorway. Her scrunched face relaxes when she sees me, lips spreading into a wide smile. She picks up a towel and unfurls it, holding it up for me.

I stand and step over the tub, and then Tiffy wraps the towel around my dripping body. She takes another towel to my hair, wringing it out. Once I’m dry, she drapes my dressing robe around my shoulders and fastens it around my waist.

Ushering me out of the washroom, Tiffy clicks her tongue.

“You look so thin,” she tells me, fussing like a mother hen. “Come, eat. The kitchens reopened just for you. Oh! And I made you some tea.”

I sit at the end of my bed, and Tiffy rolls the cart with my dinner right up to me. She watches me intently as I pick up my fork and knife, only visibly letting go of the tension in her shoulders when I take my first bite.

“I’ve missed you, too, Tiffy,” I say in between bites.

That seems to melt her expression. She bends down and pulls me into an embrace. “I didn’t know where you’d gone, or if you’d ever return.”

I frown slightly into her shoulder. “I’m sorry I worried you.”

She pulls away. “There’s no need.” Her voice slows. “I heard about your father. How is he?”

“Stable, for now.” Worry creeps into my stomach.

Hopefully, I have enough time to save him.

To save all of them.

“The gods will watch over him, Your Highness,” Tiffy assures me, patting my arm. “He’ll recover. You’ll see.”

I nod and take a sip of tea.

“Well,” Tiffy says, brushing off her skirts. “I imagine you’ve had a long journey and need your rest. I’ll leave you to it.”

I offer her a small smile. “Thank you, Tiffy. For everything.”

She smiles. “Of course.”

With that, she slips from my chamber, gently closing the door behind her.

Chewing slowly, savoring every bite, I finish my dinner and drain my tea. Standing, I push the cart away from my bed, leaving it up against the far wall so it’s out of the way.

I sit at my vanity table and run my fingers through my tangled hair. Working through the knots, I manage to tame my auburn mane and weave it into a single braid that falls over my shoulder.

As I’m finishing my braid, a soft knock sounds at my door.

A sense of calm washes over me.

“Come in,” I call, knowing who waits outside.

---