Page 24 of Of Wolves and Wives

“Come, let us get some food in you,” Heath says.

I let him lead me back to the table, where he sees to it that I’m settled. Normally, I’d bat away his hands but I’m too exhausted from everything to bother. Let him tend to me, I decide. At least I can enjoy the food knowing that my symptoms should be changing now. As I eat, Ms. Thompson orders Beatrice about, having her tend to the floor. It takes everything in me to not smile at the maid’s misfortune.

10

Rose

It’s a welcome change to have my mates allowed in the room with me. But it takes less than twenty minutes to realize that it comes at a cost. Before leaving the room, Ms. Thompson gives Heath and me a look.

“The prince will find a way to retaliate,” Ms. Thompson warns. “In any case, I’ve assigned a maid to be present at all hours. She will ensure that nothing happens and will fetch Helena and I should anything happen.”

She gives us a curt nod before leaving the room. Beatrice sends a smirk my way before following Ms. Thompson. If she’s the maid to be assigned to me for hours on end, I don’t think this will end well. I’d almost rather go back to being unable to stomach anything. At least that was a fate I knew too well and was familiar with.

“Be thankful it’s just a maid sent to watch over you,” Heath tells me.

I try to remember that as the day slips past. I’m aware of the maids, who rotate just as my mates do. They stick to the shadows, but I’m aware of them there, watching and probably reporting every move back to either the prince or Ms. Thompson. My skin crawls every time I feel eyes on me. This is a worse punishment than the Grey Prince could have imagined. There’s no way I’ll be able to slip away at this rate.

It’s a relief when the sun slips away and I can retire to my room. I feel as though I’ve spent all day glancing over my shoulder, searching the shadows to see which maid has been assigned to spy on me. At least I’m able to keep food down, I suppose.

Returning to my room from my afternoon spent in the rose gardens, I’m happy to find Rykker waiting. He offers a gentle smile as I step into my room. Excitement bubbles through me as I realize this is my first chance to spend time alone with him. Finally, I’ll be able to speak with him and perhaps even see what lies under his mask. My excitement dies when a blonde maid scurries into the room, carrying a cot to sleep on. Even in sleep, they mean to spy on me? Annoyance flares as I watch her get settled. I suppose it’s a small mercy that Beatrice isn’t the one here tonight.

I still don’t understand why I’m to be monitored at all hours. It’s not as though I can cause any trouble. Not in my state. Pressing a hand to my stomach, I almost snort as I realize they’ve started to treat me as though I’m some virginal maiden that must be protected. Don’t they realize that it's too late for that? I’m already pregnant. I can’t be further ruined by my mates. There’s nothing left for them to protect. I’ve been ruined for far longer than they suspect.

“You’ve regained some of your color,” Helena comments as she sweeps into the room.

Her eyes move over my face, watching as Rykker hands me a roll to eat. I do so, feeling ever like a pet as she nods her approval at my appetite. Perhaps that’s all I am to the shifters. The thought makes me scowl as I tear apart the roll.

“Maid, have a warm bath prepared for her,” Helena orders. “Be sure to add the petals I left with Ms. Thompson.”

She doesn’t wait to hear any of our replies. She’s already turning and leaving the room as quickly as she came. I watch her go, listening for the telltale sign of the door locking behind her. Once the click fades and quiet returns, I let out a sigh. The three of us are trapped in here until morning, it would seem.

As I finish my meal, Rykker helps the maid shove the tub into the corner and turns the facet. I watch as the water begins to fill the tub. No steam rises yet from it, and I feel a shiver work its way through me. An awkward quietness fills the room as we wait for the bath to be prepared. I want to talk with Rykker but not with the maid around to eavesdrop. Even as silent as she is, it’s hard to ignore her presence.

Finally, the first tendril of steam rises from the tub. I watch it float toward the ceiling, longing to be just as free as it is. Then my eyes meet the maid. Without saying a word, she signals for me to undress. I frown slightly as I make my way toward the tub. Rykker has moved to the door, his back to us as I strip down.

A content sigh escapes me as I slip into the warm water. I let it pool around me as I close my eyes. The maid ruins my moment of bliss by grabbing my arm and scrubbing at it with a rough piece of soap. I open one eye, tempted to snap at her that there’s no need to scrub so hard. I’ve barely worked up a sweat in the last day, but I bite my tongue. She’s no freer to make her own choices than I am. I’m sure she’d rather not be stuck here, bathing me and watching over me as I sleep tonight.

Once the maid has scrubbed several layers of skin from me, she nods that I’m done. Reluctantly, I stand, letting the water drip from me. I can’t help noticing the way that Rykker’s eyes flick to me from across the room. He fails to drag them away as I stand there. I should step from the tub and wrap a towel around myself, covering my body. But I don’t. I like the way his eyes linger on my curves before slipping further and further down my body.

A fire spreads through me as I shift in the tub, letting the crackling fire near me better illuminate my body for him. His eyes flash with desire as they linger on me. I can feel his gaze lazily combing every inch of my bare skin. Something about it thrills me as he drags his eyes back up to mine. Our gazes clash. A fire hotter than any I’ve experienced bursts to life within my core.

The maid makes a small noise, and I come crashing back into my sense. I have no idea what came over me. My cheeks flame as I glance at the maid. If it weren’t for her presence, I know I would have happily thrown myself at Rykker. Body and soul, I would have begged for him to take all of me until we were both too spent to move.

I let the maid pat my skin dry, reminding myself that I can’t think that way. Desire is a dangerous game that I have no time for. No matter how badly I long for Rykker’s touch. I will have to survive on the burning glances we exchange as the maid hurries around me. And the passing touches that I’ve come to long from each of the three men.

I’m impressed with how quickly the maid works. Once she’s satisfied that I’m dry, she has me sit before the fire. I’m reluctant to take my eyes off Rykker, but I allow her to position me. It’s not worth the fight or the whispered words I know she’d repeat to Ms. Thompson. Her fingers are deft as they comb through my wet hair, gently massaging my scalp as she works to detangle and then braid my hair. Closing my eyes, my mind wonders if this is what I’ve missed out on. For so many years, I was alone in the world. But in another life, would I be familiar with a touch like this from my mother?

“I’ll turn down the covers for you, miss,” the maid says.

Her words startle me from my imagination. Opening my eyes, I give her a nod. Then I glance about. I expect to find a nightgown waiting for me, but there’s nothing. Frowning, I glance at the maid as she prepares the bed for me.

“My nightgown?” I ask.

She glances at me. “You are to not wear anything in your sleep, miss.”

“What do you mean?”

“It is meant to improve the quality of your sleep, miss. And to promote the health of the babe.”

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