Page 78 of Merciless Prince
Killian yanked on my other arm, pulling me into a large hall with patterned marble tiles and richly-decorated wallpaper. Ahead of us lay a series of arched doorways leading into different halls.
“This way,” Killian muttered, nodding toward the hall on the far left. “Remember our deal.”
I nodded, lips pressing into a grimace.
The hallway twisted into another one with burgundy wallpaper patterned with little gold arches. I saw a couple of unattended baggage carts sitting by a closed door, but there wasn’t a person in sight.
Killian steered me toward a sweeping staircase with a red and gold carpet runner. We headed up until we reached the fourth story and turned into a wide, vaulted corridor lined with doors and gilded artwork.
A petite woman in a crisp black and white maid outfit passed us a moment later. She offered Killian a shy smile and a nod before turning her gaze to me. I stared at her with wide eyes, hoping my expression conveyed the dark truth of my situation, but she simply smiled and quietly murmured “Have a good night, ma’am,” as she stepped past me.
I fought the urge to turn my head over my shoulder and beg her for help. If I did, Cori would get hurt.Again.
Killian stopped at a door halfway down the corridor and turned a key in the lock. The door opened up to a small room with plain gray walls and a barred window. The furniture was clean but cheap-looking. A door on the left wall led to a tiny bathroom.
“Your family charges people three hundred dollars a night forthis?” I asked, brows furrowing as I looked at Killian.
“This is a staff room,” he said, closing the door behind us. “They get the accommodation for free, so there’s never any complaints.”
I motioned to the window with a skeptically-raised brow. “They don’t mind the bars?”
“No. It’s historical,” he replied. “After the original owner died, his family turned this place into a boarding school. This was one of the rooms they kept the troublemaker kids in to make sure they couldn’t sneak out at night.”
“But we’re on the fourth floor,” I said, brows furrowing with confusion.
“I guess the bad kids were making ropes from sheets and sliding down them, or something like that,” Killian said. “Anyway, you won’t be able to get out through there, so save your sheets for the bed. Don’t bother screaming, either. I’ve had all the staff in adjacent rooms moved elsewhere, and I’ve had the door soundproofed too. As for the walls…” He trailed off and knocked on the closest wall. “This whole castle is built from thick stone. No one can hear through that.”
“Bullshit,” I muttered.
He narrowed his eyes. “I’m not just saying this to stop you from trying, Shay. There are over five hundred staff members and guests here right now, and the casino is still open in the east wing. But listen. Can you hear anything?”
I cocked my head slightly to one side, straining to listen. Killian was right. It was so quiet in the room that it seemed like we were the only people in the castle.
“Got it,” I said softly, sagging on the end of the bed. “I won’t scream.”
“Get up. I need you to take a shower,” Killian instructed, gesturing toward the bathroom. “There’s towels and soap in there already. When you’re done, put this on.”
He reached into a drawer and pulled out a tiny black satin camisole with matching shorts. The thought of wearing something so skimpy on such a cold night made a shiver run down my spine.
“I can’t wear that. It’s too…” I trailed off at the sight of Killian’s dark expression. As always, it would be much easier for me to do as he said. “Never mind,” I murmured. “How long can I shower for?”
“As long as you want. Take your time,” he replied, lips curving into a small smile.
I frowned, wondering why he was being so uncharacteristically kind, but I didn’t question it. I hadn’t showered in a week now, so I wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
I headed into the bathroom and closed the door behind me. Then I stripped off and used the toilet while I waited for the water to heat up.
As soon as I stepped into the little cubicle, I let out a long groan of pleasure and tipped my head back, letting the water stream all over my face and body. All my life, I’d taken hot water for granted, but now it felt like one of the most magnificent luxuries known to mankind.
I washed my hair and body twice, eager to rid myself of the grimy feeling that my time in the dungeon had left me with. Then I stood there and let the water tumble all over me, luxuriating in the sweetly-scented warmth until my fingers and toes wrinkled.
I felt bad for wasting so much water, but I couldn’t help myself. As long as I was alone in this cubicle, shrouded in hot steam, I felt like I’d escaped from the torment of imprisonment. The second I turned the water off and headed back into the main room, that feeling would vanish.
After at least half an hour had passed, I let out a regretful sigh and stepped out of the shower. I dried myself and slipped into the slinky cami and shorts. Then I took a deep breath and opened the door.
As soon as I stepped outside, I realized why Killian hadn’t limited my time in the bathroom. There was a new addition to the room—a large X-shaped cross in the corner. Leather cuffs dangled from each end of the frame.
I stared at it, a cold-water chill rushing through my body. Killian smirked at the expression on my face and commanded me to go over to the cross and turn around. I did as he said, clenching my jaw as he strapped me against the firm wood.
