accumulated since my dip in the lake. I almost laughed when the thought popped into my head; how long would it be before I was covered in blood and grime again? At length the tub became a pool of dirty water and I stood, rinsed myself with one last bucket of steamy water, and stepped out.
Once I dried off, I spied the extra bucket of water and after a few more moments, emptied Wolf’s coat pockets and gave the garment a thorough scrubbing. When it was clean enough to my liking, I wrung it out and hung it near the fire to dry. I hoped when I came back from dinner, it would no longer smell like him.
I dried my hair by the fire, brushing it thoroughly again, before rifling through the dresser drawers. I scoffed at all the dresses. Did women not wear pants at all here? I glanced at the mirror again and considered my options. I settled on a forest green dress that shimmered gold in the light. The dress was simple, sleek, with thin shoulder straps and made of a silky material without any embellishments. Though I wasn’t too fond of my scars, wearing a dress that presented them would show others that I’d been in my share of fights. In my search for undergarments, I found a golden belt. I set it aside.
Once I dressed, my feet in knee-high boots of soft gray leather, I called to Alex again. He got up from his spot where he’d been laying at the window. I carried the golden belt over to him.
“Trade you.” I took the key from him and tied it around my leg, letting it slide into the boot and back into place over my ankle. I fastened the belt around Alex’s neck.
“I remember this from a story,” I told him. “The sister put a gold collar around her deer so she’d know it was him and no one would hunt him. Something like that. Just in case you have to go outside, they’ll know not to hurt you. You never know.” I patted his neck. “All right. You ready to do this?”
He nodded his big antlered head.
“Then let’s go.”
I opened my door and shouted in surprise. Martock stood there, his hand up to knock.
“My apologies,” he said.
“It’s okay,” I said. Then I pointed at him. “I could use some pants in here, by the way. There’s nothing but dresses, and I don’t like it.”
The corner of his mouth twitched. “I’ll see if I can find something to suit you.”
“Good.”
He gazed at me for a minute, his eyes traveling up and down my body, gauging me in some way. His focus settled on the scars on my arm and shoulder for a moment before he finally turned and strode through the halls.
Alex and I followed him back to the throne room. We emerged into the vacant throne room, out of the darkened halls and back into the light. I thought I heard a faint gasp behind me and paused, looking over my shoulder. But I heard nothing else and Alex hadn’t reacted to anything. I started forward again, keeping my senses open to everything. I hadn’t noticed before, but the throne room and the dining hall were actually together in one huge chamber. One long table was positioned near a massive fireplace open on four sides with the flue rising in the center. Heat radiated out into the room. But my gaze fixated on the food on the table. The scent of roasted meat, buttered vegetables, and freshly baked bread made my mouth water. A feast set in silver dishes awaited us, sliced fruits glistening with juices, creamy orange soup with steam floating lazily toward the ceiling, and bronze mugs with etched designs filled to the brim with foamy drinks. My stomach growled in anticipation. God, how long had it been since I’d eaten a real meal? I resisted the urge to leap into my chair and shove handfuls of food into my mouth.
Dunstan Hood sat at the head of the table, wearing a fur-lined cape and a serpentine smile. I went on the defensive again. Did he have poison tasters? He wanted to know where Marianne was—would he try something here?
“Sit,” he said, gesturing toward the seat at his right. A Sentry pulled the chair out for me and then pushed it in again once I sat. Being this close to Dunstan made me want to squirm, but I held my composure.
“He eats with