Page 39 of Touch of Death
With a frustrated sigh, I force these thoughts from my mind before I can spiral any further.
In reality, it matters little what he saw or whether he was disappointed or not. I feel ridiculous for even having these thoughts.
Of course, he doesn’t see me in that way. Our kiss was little more than a moment of weakness in an ocean of overwhelming emotions.
He made that obvious when he mentioned how he thinks Eros plans to help us. How he means tolethim train me, despite his initial reaction in the throne room.
I shudder at the thought.
If he truly loved me, surely, he would have told me by now.
No, I am little more than a fly caught in his web of guilt. I should have known better than to hope for more.
Towantmore.
With a sigh, I slip beneath the water in an attempt to drown the thoughts from my mind. I need to focus on the task at hand. I need to remember that I no longer have a promised future.
Death was right; I need to think of my father.
I need to focus on returning to my body … and, hopefully, making something of my life. To pick up the pieces and move on. I want to see Father again, to feel his arms around me once again.
To I want to forge a future that we would both be proud of.
Though I do not know how I will do that if I am still blamed for Amadeus’ death. I frown, realizing a return to the mortal realm may not be as simple as I thought … and I wonder if it’s a life I even want anymore.
18
Hazel
Iallow myself to soak in silence for several minutes longer before turning to the woman meant to be helping me.
“I’m sorry about earlier,” I say, her gaze suddenly sharpening as she glances up at me. “I—”
“Are you ready to let me help then?” she asks, startling me with the abruptness of her question.
“You really don’t have to. I’m used to taking care of myself.” She lets out a huff at this, sinking down again to lean against the edge of the tub in boredom. “I mean … unless you want to?”
She sits up again, her eyes bright again.
“Of course, I want to,” she answers, splashing the space in front of her. “Come.”
I do as she bids, and she sets to work scrubbing me down. Unlike Merelda, her touch is gentle, almost erotic, in its thoroughness. I blush as she gushes over me, complimenting the softness of my skin, the rosiness of my cheeks, the warmth of my body.
I murmur my thanks but soon find it overwhelming as she finds more and more ways to flatter me. Tuning her out as she moves on to washing my hair, I decide this must be part of her job. I can almost hear Eros demanding it, insisting that those who serve him feed his ravenous ego.
It’s strange to have her hands on my scalp, massaging scented oils into my hair as they lull me into a sense of calm. When she’s finally satisfied with my cleanliness, she helps me stand before wrapping me in a soft towel.
Leading me across the room, she sets me down on a small stool beside a fire that burns with iridescent flames. As I watch it, she sets to work on my hair with a silver comb. The woman runs it deftly through my hair, detangling it without pain before braiding it into an intricate pattern around my head.
She hums a soft tune while she works, and I drift along with it. As warmth washes over me, I find it strange to think that my body lies elsewhere. That I am but a soul torn from its anchor, struggling not to be lost at sea before it can be tethered to safety once more.
Glancing at the fire, I let myself get lost watching the flames dance and am reminded of the first time I woke in Death’s palace. It isn’t long before happy memories of my time in his palace replace the rest.
“When you are ready, I’ve lain out your dress,” the woman tells me, her voice lyrical as she backs away from me.
Dragging myself away from the fire, she leads me over to the dress she’s arranged on one counter. I stare at it for a long moment, unable to comprehend how it could possibly be for me. The white fabric is stunning, soft and airy, and unlike any garment that I have ever seen.
I have absolutely no idea how I am supposed to put it on, let alone if it’s something I should wear at all.
