Page 18 of Smoke and Flame

“Um...okay.Thanks.”Kai rubbed her hands along her arms.Something about this woman made her uneasy.

“I’m Ninki.”The taller woman held her hand out.

Meeting her palm, Kai shook it.Kai wasn’t a small woman by anyone’s standards.Ninki had about four inches on her, but the other woman’s strength as their hands clasped proved that Ninki wanted to ensure Kai knew of her might.Or the lack of Kai’s strength compared to hers.Not one to let someone bully her, even covertly, Kai returned the shake at the same intensity.“Kai.”

With the tip of her chin, as if recognizing the answer to her challenge, Ninki pulled her hand back.“In the closet behind the door next to the bathroom, you will find a robe hanging up you can use.Also, there is a basket for your...”she paused and waved a hand to indicate Kai’s clothes, “Soiled things.The McKenna’s servant will take care of them while you bathe.”

Kai knew her clothes were terrible, but she took offense at the woman pointing it out.Rude.

Walking to the cabinet beside the sink, she pulled the doors open.“You will find your towels and any cleaning cloths you need here.”

The woman moved around the bathroom with such confidence Kai was sure that it was not the first time she’d been there.But Aodh had said he would send her an attendant, so it would make sense if the woman maintained his space.And, indeed, Ninki knew her way around the suite.“Thanks.”

“Anything else I can help you with?”Ninki asked.

“Uh, can you tell me where I can locate the soap?Is it under the sink?”Kai started in that direction.

“Oh, no.”Ninki moved to the side of the tub and picked up the tray with the jars.Tapping one with a white powder inside, she said, “This is for bathing.Only use a small amount because it lathers up good, and a little goes a long way.”With her long lavender-painted nails that matched the colors in her skirt, she removed one with a pale-green liquid and unscrewed it.She poured a large dollop into the water.“This will moisturize your skin, something you need.”

Kai blinked twice to keep from rolling her eyes at the woman’s comment.Ninki was helpful, even if it came across as crude.

“Now, this one is most important.”Ninki set the other one back in place and lifted one filled with a yellow-and-orange powder.

“What is it?”If the other two were for cleansing and moisturizing, then what the last one was for Kai could not imagine.

“Oh.”Ninki’s gaze roamed along Kai’s form, seeming to take in her body critically.

Not in the same way that Aodh had done, a glance that made Kai’s skin heat with need.No, this woman’s look made Kai want to pull the sides of her jacket together and shield herself from what was more like prying eyes.She drew her hands into fists to keep them at her side and not show this woman that she made her uncomfortable.

“It will work wonders to help your body to relax...adjust.”

“Adjust?”

“Yes.”Ninki popped off the cap and dumped all the contents into the roaring water.“Aodh never allows anyone into his suite but family and thosespecialto him.”The glint flashed in her gaze again.“If you are here, then the dragon king has plans for you.”

The chuckle the other woman let out grated over Kai’s nerves.It was something about this woman.Ninki was only the third person she had met in this territory, but if Kai never had to see the woman again, she would be okay with it.Perhaps she would tell Aodh that she would clean his suite, and it would keep the other, who was too comfortable in the space, away.

“No plans.I’m just here until my sister is better.”Kai knew Aodh wanted other things from her, but she wasn’t going to unpack any of that with Ninki.

“I’ve heard there’s a sick human in the chamber.”Ninki shrugged one shoulder as if she could care less about Morlie’s health.“Then, like you, I hope your time here is short.Doubtful.”She didn’t go further with the last comment; instead, she went on, “But, regardless, the king will take his pound of flesh.He must.”

Ninki’s eyes held shadows as she glanced away.

Kai wanted to question what Ninki was dropping crumbs about but checked her tongue.

“Anyway.The Drahks of our Thunder are not the kind of males you would be accustomed to being with on the inside of the wall you humans live inside.So, soak up.”Without saying another word, Ninki set down the tray and sashayed her wide hips and long legs out.

Innocent but no fool, Kai understood what Ninki hinted at—sex between her and Aodh.The other woman spoke as if there would be some issue with that happening.Kai didn’t want to think about it.Partly not to give Ninki satisfaction but mostly because it put her body on edge.Taking a moment to shut off the water, Kai went to the door.

Something she had said caught Kai’s mind.“Ninki, if you aren’t the attendant, Aodh sent to come and help me...who are you?”

Kai watched as the other woman’s steps halted on the path toward the front door.

Ninki swung back around.The quick movement caused her silken multicolored dress to bellow out and display smooth, sleek, defined, long, muscular legs with markings like Aodh, showing more proof that Ninki belonged in his world.

Kai did not.

“I’m the Drahkelle who warmed the dragon king’s bed before you came and will be there when you depart.”The flash in the woman’s eyes was a bright, rust-tangerine flame that Kai saw across the room.

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