Page 34 of The Time Of Queens

“Yes, and I swear to you that I will get to the bottom of it, for her crimes will not go unpunished. On this, you have my word.”

“Then why am I here, if I am not in trouble?” I asked in a far calmer tone, now that I knew he was going to do the right thing and the evil cow hadn’t managed to talk her way out of further punishment. At this he smirked before telling me,

“Trouble? My dear, I fear it isIwho finds themselves scolded, and for good cause too, for I had no knowledge of what was happening within my own household,” he said, and I cringed when I thought back on what I had said to him. As I knew that had Draven known, there was no way he would have allowed her behaviour to continue. Which was why I was quick to make my excuses for him.

“And tell me, my Lord, do you spend much of your time down in the lower levels?” His face said it all.

“And who manages your estate when you are in town for the season or away from home?”

Once more, he didn’t reply but then again, he didn’t need to. He knew as well as I did that he wasn’t to have known what was happening with his staff.

“I do not wish to get anyone in trouble, but I feel as if I should point out that the fault does not land solely at your feet… feet which rarely see the inside of the wine cellar,” I said, knowing that it wasn’t his fault, so he shouldn’t shoulder all of the blame. He released a heavy sigh and guilt gnawed at me once again.

“I was angry, forgive me, it wasn’t right for me to take it out on you,” I said in a far softer tone now all the anger had left me.

“No!” he shouted, and I jerked a little at his outburst as he walked away from me. Then, just as quickly, he turned back to face me while dragging a frustrated hand through his hair.

“This happened under my roof, by the hands of someone under my employ… you were hurt, and I dare not to think how much worse it could have been!”

I got up and went to him, unable to stop myself from taking his hand in mine, ignoring his sound of surprise at my doing so.

“Please don’t say that. You are not to blame for this and if I am honest, then I am thankful it happened if it meant that her vile actions were discovered. I only wished she had been foolish enough to make me her victim sooner.”

His gaze softened before he teased,

“Yes, your right hook was most impressive, I must say.”

I laughed as he raised my hand up to his, seeing the cut skin over the bone.

“Although I fear you pay for it now.”

“Still worth it,” I replied, shrugging my shoulders, but he walked me towards a small table and chairs that was situated in front of a window.

“Here, sit… if you please,” he added when my expression questioned the order. So, I did as he asked, something he looked thankful for.

“I won’t be gone but a moment, can you please wait here for me?”

I nodded, telling him that I would, watching as he strode from the room with purpose. Of course, I wasn’t questioning for long where he went as it was but thirty seconds later that he walked back inside. This time, carrying a small glass jar of something. He placed it down on the table before fetching a bowl of water from what I assumed was his bathroom. Something I was happy to find had greatly improved in the last sixty odd years I had skipped forward into. Of course, I didn’t have my own private bathroom because, being classed as a servant, we shared a communal wash space that had a portal bath in it. Although most seemed to wash with nothing but the basin and jug that we each had in our rooms. At the very least, we had a flushable toilet which I knew was classed as a luxury.

But back to Draven, he had with him a cloth and what looked like a roll of bandages, making me wonder how he got them so fast? Had his brother been at the ready to give them to him? Or perhaps Sophia?

“Will you allow me to attend to your injuries?” he asked, taking a seat opposite me, pulling his own chair in close.

“That’s alright, I can do… erm sure, why not,” I added when he gave me a stern look. Because he might have asked if he could, but with that one look I knew he had only been giving me lip service. Meaning he wasn’t taking no for an answer. But then he started to pull up my sleeve and I tensed, snatching my hand back just like I had done when spilling tea on myself.

“Easy now, I merely wish to care for your injury without getting your sleeve wet,” he told me, surprised by my sudden actions.

He held his hand out and his gentle gaze told me how much he wanted me to trust him. So, I took a deep breath and nodded before placing my hand back in his. He seemed grateful for this and bowed his head slightly before positioning my hand over the bowl. Then he used a cloth that he first soaked in the water before cleaning my cuts. Something that made me hiss in pain. The sound prompted him to lean over and blow on the torn skin, which managed to take away the pain instantly. Now whether this was down to using a slither of his powers or just down the sensual fact he was caressing my skin with his breath, I didn’t know, and nor did I care. It was magic either way.

“Y-y-you… you seem very skilled at that,” I said, after first having to clear my throat as the words felt thick and shroud in lust.

“Have you met my brother? Trust me, we have seen our fair share of bruised knuckles over the years.”

I laughed.

“Speaking of which, when did you learn how to fight?” he asked, making me release a sigh.

“After I was sick of playing the damsel in distress… besides, someone once told me that the fist is the only weapon that will never fail you…nor does it need sharpening,”I added, making him laugh and unbeknown to him, with words he himself had once told me. Of course, the irony wasn’t lost on me that I had replied very much in the same way as he did now.

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