Page 55 of Stone Heart
The bruising on her shoulders from where the talons of the serpent had grabbed her were slowly disappearing right before her eyes.
Superb healing, she remembered. Memories of her as a little girl with scraped knees from her rough playing came to mind. Her mother would smile as she washed off Rina’s knees and lay a gentle kiss to them while they watched the skin repair itself. Her knees would be good as new within minutes.
She tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled at the little point that denoted her elf blood.
“You’d think that being a paranormal, I’d have been a little taller once the spell wore off,” she muttered, turning away from the mirror.
The steam from the bubble bath rose, and she slipped into the warm water. She didn’t know how she was going to turn her mind off of Rhodack’s capture and sleep but she hoped that the warm bath would help. It wasn’t fair that she would enjoy the luxury of a bubble bath while he was God knew where.
“I’m coming for you, Rhodack,” she whispered, leaning back against the pillow on the edge of the large tub. Images of her strong gargoyle warrior came to mind, and she relaxed in the tub. She closed her eyes and murmured his name, hoping that somehow he’d hear her. “Hold on. We’re coming for you.”
Her voice seemed to echo in the oversized room. Her muscles loosened. Deep in her heart she knew he’d hear her. If they were truly mates, would they hold a mental connection?
She suspected they would have a mental link between them since they were destined to be together.
She concentrated hard but didn’t hear any response in her head. She snorted. The only voice she heard currently was her own.
She still had so much to learn about being an elf that she couldn’t wait to spend time with her parents. She’d force her father to allow her to go home to Faery. It was her birthright, and if she were to be the queen, then she would need to have a crash course in being an elf and being a princess.
Rina enteredRhodack’s sleeping quarters and gasped. She gripped the towel close to her body and stared at Calista and the two women with her.
“My lady,” Calista nodded to Rina.
Her cheeks warmed as she thought of the passioned-filled night she’d spent with the female gargoyle and Rhodack.
“Calista. What are you doing?”
“We’re here to take care of you, my lady,” Calista replied with a small smile to her lips. “In our lord’s absence, we’re still obligated to take care of his mate.”
“I don’t need anything at the moment.” Rina shook her head and studied the other three. The one woman with flaming red hair she remembered from when she’d first arrived.
“Rhodack will be very upset if we didn’t see to your needs, my lady,” Ajuki remarked, collapsing her hands together in front of her.
“I’m Manga, my lady.” The smaller of the trio waved to Rina. This female had dark hair with light eyes, and she was almost the same height as Rina. She had a warm smile on her lips while she ran her gaze over Rina.
“Come, Rina. Lie on the bed, and we’ll help you relax. We’ll give you a nice massage, and that should help you sleep.” Calista moved forward with her arms motioning Rina to the bed.
Rina looked over at the other two. Manga held a small bag.
“Massage sounds good, but I’m serious. I’ll be fine,” Rina protested.
Calista guided Rina toward the bed. Calista urged her onto it, laying her on her stomach. She positioned the towel over Rina’s bottom to give her modesty.
Rina’s muscles tensed while the women moved around the room. The lights dimmed, and even, soft, soothing sounds floated. The smell of incense burning circulated through the air, and Rina relaxed. The trio was turning the suite into a little oasis for her. She sighed, unsure what she’d been thinking trying to turn them away.
This was just a massage to help her relax.
“You’re so tense, my lady,” Ajuki murmured, running her hands along Rina’s calf muscles.
Rina held back a moan as the woman spread oil onto her skin and began a light massage of her left leg. “We will not harm you.”
“We’re here to take care of you,” Manga spoke up from the other side of the bed.
The bed dipped as she knelt on the opposite side of Rina. Small, soft hands rubbed oil into Rina’s right shoulder.
“Calista, really, why are you ladies here?” Rina asked, turning her face toward the gargoyle.
Calista smiled and patted Rina’s shoulder. “When we heard how you fought at our clan leader’s side, we knew you would be a good mate for him. Rhodack will need someone strong at his side. The family name will depend on him mating with a strong female. We, as his harem, will never bear children for him. Fate will only allow his mate to carry his seed.” Calista brushed Rina’s hair away from her face.
