Page 106 of A Bond in Blood

Six and a half months.

One hundred and eighty-two days.

The day of the Winter Rite.

I stared in the bathing room mirror while Adie combed my wet hair. The young girl chattered about some boy down at the docks who her uncle disapproved of. A scandal given her family’s standing beside the king.

I told her I loved a good scandal and listened contently while she recounted her forbidden romance.

The bedroom door slammed open, startling us both.

Ulrich appeared with his menacing presence layering over us. I startled in my chair at the mask fitted across his face. Another death mask made of bones, but this one was also horned like his others. The object terrifying, painting the king like the beast he was to fear.

“Your grace,” Adie whispered, ducking her chin down before she scurried out of the room.

“You just interrupted a rather entertaining conversation,” I said coldly.

I kept my eyes on him while I returned to the mirror, running the comb through my hair myself while he leaned against the door frame.

“Why are you readying yourself?” he asked.

I twisted around. “For the Winter Rite?”

He grinned. “You are not attending that. Do you not remember?”

“That’s not fair,” I countered. “We’ve been getting along for the last week. Why would you deny me some fun?”

The stool by the tub clattered before me. The sound echoed across the room.

“You will not attend the Rite. Do you understand?”

I glared at him, sitting back in my seat while I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Tell me why.”

“I’m not required to. I am the king,” he replied, standing.

I stared up at him, my eyes tracking the velvet black suit cut tight against his body.

“What am I supposed to do while the rest of you enjoy your evening?”

Ulrich glanced around the room. “You’re supposed to stay here and not move. I’ll havetrollbring you dinner and some of that mulled wine you enjoyed.”

I scoffed at the wink he gave as he sauntered out of the room.

I followed him. “Wait!” I called out as he reached the bedroom door.

He turned around with a smile.

Gods, I’m a fool.

I dropped the towel around my body, exposing myself to him.

He blinked then his smile grew wide. “If I knew all I had to do was ban you from a party to have you offer yourself so brazenly, I would have done itmonthsago.”

Regret settled over me and I bent down, reaching for the towel. Only he got to it first and held it before my face, waving it mockingly.

“My Brenna,” he put emphasis on my name, “there was much more hidden behind those undergarments than I'd realized.”

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