in water for her bath. She stinks so bad I can’t stand it, so soap would be most welcomed,” he continued.
“I imagine she smells like death and is offending your senses with her presence, my brave Lord. If you’d like, you could join me while she rids her body of the offending stench. You would be more than welcome in my bed, Torrin. I miss what you do to my body, and I hunger for their light with so many of them around.”
“I may help you out later tonight, Kat,” he said huskily. “For now, let’s get the bitch bathed, so she is ready to travel in the morning. The king is rather tired of waiting for her arrival. I’m over babysitting her and dealing with her mouth, among other things.”
“Does he intend to share her with you as you’ve done with me many times before?” she asked, a pout entering her tone.
“She’s too thin and too much work to even try to bed, Katherine. She’s simply a mission, and once I reach the palace, I can be rid of the bitch.” Torrin exhaled slowly, pushing her hair behind her ear. “Get the staff to bring in water and have a light meal sent up.”
I turned away before he faced me once more. My stomach flipped before flopping, and angry tears pricked my eyes. I was such an idiot. As much as we were working to seduce them, they were returning it tenfold. He moved toward a large leather pack and pulled out a silk gown, placing it onto the desk before a knock sounded at the door.
My mind wandered back to everything we’d done and how he’d acted through those things. He’d been turned on, or so I’d thought. This was Torrin, the legendary warrior who led his king’s armies into war and had never lost a single battle. He was a notorious rake, known for enjoying women and leaving them the next morning.
“Your bath will be here shortly. I’ve set out clothes and a drying cloth for you. Tomorrow we will reach the palace. I don’t want to chance another attack, so we will travel fast enough to reach it before nightfall. There’s more tonic on the table. It seemed to ease your pain and keep the fever down. Use it; it’s laced with moonflower dust, but not enough to make you lose your willpower. You won’t have to ask me to get you off again.”
“I don’t think that will be a problem anymore.” I breathed in sharply, pulling the sheet with me while moving to the edge of the bed.
I ignored the look that passed through his eyes, dropping my head into my upturned palms while I considered how stupid I’d been of late. I’d let my guard down because, admittedly, I’d wanted him. He was deliciously wicked, and yet those men always turned out to be huge pricks. I knew that, but unlike Amo, Tabitha, and the others, I hated meaningless sex with strangers in taverns.
“The pain of their loss will pass,” he stated from behind me.
“I’m aware. I don’t need a pep talk from you, Torrin. Thanks, but no thanks,” I stated as the door opened and several young women entered, batting their lashes at the larger-than-life male while barely noticing me.
Once the water was full to the rim, I stood and dropped the sheet before sinking into the large round tub. Grabbing the soap, I made quick work of scrubbing my flesh raw to get the stink off before washing my hair. My eyes stared off into the dancing flames, and I replayed the last moments of the girls’ lives, forcing myself to memorize it visually.
I stepped from the tub, wrapping my body in the drying cloth without turning to look at the brooding, dominating male, who watched my every move. He probably thought my anger was from being rejected when, in fact, it was at allowing him to slip between the walls that encased my emotions. I was usually pretty good at hiding my feelings or protecting myself from getting attached to anyone. I dressed but chose not to return to the bed, lying on the floor in front of the fire instead.
The door opened, and I listened as he issued orders. I struggled to get better control of my emotions as tears slid free from the tight hold I’d had on them.
I felt emotionally and physically drained from being feasted on by the wraiths. While it wasn’t Torrin’s fault, at least not