Page 68 of The Blood Crown

He laughed, crossing his arms over his chest as he shook his head, raising a russet brow. “Seems obvious enough to everyone else.” He waved a hand toward the open door. “You’ve never looked at anyone like that—not even . . .” His smile faltered for a moment before he let out a low whistle. “Take some advice fromyour big brother. Don’t waste time lying to yourself about what it is that you truly want.” His green eyes met hers. “You’ve spent too much of your life doing that.”

Chapter 33

Satisfied that Asher was comfortable, that he had everything he could possibly wish for, Aurelia was finally convinced to leave him.

She shut the door to his chambers behind her, exhaustion making her very bones feel heavy as her feet led her to the familiar room further down the hall. Her fingers twisted the knob before she stopped herself . . .

Ven’schambers—not hers.

Dropping her hand at her side, nails biting into her palm, she continued on to the empty rooms further down, choosing a door at random and letting herself into the sparse bedroom.

Morning light filtered through the windows, illuminating the dust motes in the air. A bed and matching end table were centered along the far wall. A worn chair before the fire.

How long had it been since she’d slept? Had a hot meal?

She’d never asked how to master the basic magick they all possessed to conjure food for herself, so she’d have to find her way to the kitchens. But right now, the only thing she could thinkabout was a scalding bath. Hot enough to boil away the grit and grime and blood that still coated her skin and hair.

She lifted an arm and grimaced, wondering how Asher had managed to stand beside her and not comment on the stench.

Finding the door to the bathing chamber, she cracked the faucet, watching steam billow out of the tub as it filled with water.

Raiding the empty cabinets, she let out a defeated sigh. No scented oils or soaps—but that could be quickly remedied now that she’d claimed this room as her own.

Her own.

Somehow the thought left her feeling a pang of loneliness.

It wasn’t until she glanced up into the mirror that she realized she still wore the white uniform Valea had stolen for her. Stained and soiled beyond recognition.

Her braid had mostly come undone. The dark brown waves of her hair lank over her shoulder. Dirt smudged across her cheek. Amber eyes harder than they’d been before she’d left this place . . .

Bound.

The word clanged unbidden through her thoughts, disrupting what little peace she’d had since returning.

The way Embra spoke of her bond with Nira made it seem like something to fight for—something to envy. And yet Ven spoke of it like a curse.

Did he resent the fact that he would be tethered to her?

She’d felt that same undeniable pull to him—but maybe for him it was an anchor around his neck . . .

And yet he claimed her.

And the coin . . . She tried to recall the first time she’d noticed him wearing it, but all of her memories swirled into a weary haze around her.

Shoving away the tangle of thoughts, she peeled the clothing from her body, testing the water with a toe before easing into the tub with a hiss. Her hand gripped the stone, knocking something onto the floor with a clatter—

Bottles.

A neat row of them now lined the edge of the tub. Scented oils and shampoos—ones that hadn’t been there only moments ago when she’d been searching for them. Bergamot and citrus. Cedar and lavender, Balsam and lilac.

She plucked one at random, pouring the contents into the water.

But as she slipped under the surface, she quickly realized why she’d selected the scent. Who it reminded her of—who’d no doubt sent them to her.

Washing her hair a second, third, fourth time and scrubbing her skin until it was pink—she finally gave up on luxuriating. Placing a wet foot onto the stone floor, she silently cursed as she realized she hadn’t thought to look for towels.

A neat stack appeared by the wash basin, and she rolled her eyes, begrudgingly taking one—still warm and fresh from the laundry.

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