Page 18 of Fated to the Demon Lord

A white mist hung at the end of the bed. A broken vase lay shattered on the floor, and the ghostly outline of a figure, of a face I recognized. Lord Vaelor’s gaze glowed in the blackness, watching me. I inhaled, poised to cry out, though no rescue would come.

I blinked, praying I was dreaming and that he wasn’t really there, ready to exact his revenge.

When my eyes opened, he was gone, but the shattered vase was still there.

I remained awake until the sun rose.

Erlinen walked into the room with a broom and a dustpan the next morning. She paused, looking me over and frowned. “What’s this? Why didn’t you take a bath? And your clothes?” She took in the discarded nightgown on the floor.

My fingers sank into my filth-covered skirts. “I refuse to play Lord Vaelor’s games.”

She snorted. “There are no games.” She stalked over to the broken vase and began sweeping.

“He tried to kill me last night.”

“And then he offered you a bed and a bath, and you refused him. Do you think that will make him happy?” She looked at me. “Now, you’ll get undressed and get into the water, or I’ll call Feron in here and we’ll strip your raggedy clothes from you and force you in.”

“I want answers.”

“His lordship doesn’t owe you. You murdered him, and he has the grace not to kill you, and you demand answers? You ungrateful little whelp.” Her good wing spread while the other lay dead at her back. “Your actions destroyed everything he was seeking to achieve. I’ll be returning shortly to take you to breakfast, and you better be in the bath or getting out of it.”

She took the broom and dustbin full of broken shards and marched from the room, slamming the door shut behind her.

Approaching the tub, I dipped my uninjured hand into the now-cool water. Then I dropped to my knees, cupped a handful, and brought it to my lips. The cool liquid soothed my parched throat.

Afterward, I rose and crossed to the dresser, where another vase sat. Lifting it, I returned to the tub and filled it with water before carrying it back and setting it in its place.

At least dehydration would not be what killed me here.

No, I’d die from lack of food.

My stomach ached, but I ignored it as I stepped up to the tub. I didn’t have any other choice. I believed Erlinen’s threats, so I undressed and climbed into the bath. To monitor the bedchamber door, I positioned myself facing it. I wasn’t sure why. If I was worried about Lord Vaelor coming upon me, it wasn’t as if he couldn’t come through any wall in the room, like he had done last night when he disappeared after spying on me.

I plunged my wounded hand into the water and felt the gentle ache as I cleaned off the crusted blood. The cold didn’t bother me. I’d spent my life bathing in rivers and streams that were much colder than this tepid water. I stared at the assortment of bars and lotions on the table next to the bath, unwilling to touch them. The amount struck me as extravagant. I washed the off my body and hair from the last few days. The rash I’d self-inflicted on myself had disappeared because I’d run out of eran root before I’d even poisoned the demon camp. The lack of protection made me feel vulnerable, and I could only hope that Lord Vaelor’s torments didn’t include anything sexual. Not that my rash would put off a spirit, anyway.

Could spirits even have sex? With my luck, they probably could.

I rose, stepping out of the water. A towel sat on a nearby stool, and I grabbed it to dry myself off.

A key twisting in the lock announced someone’s presence, and I pressed the towel to my chest as the door swung wide and Erlinen entered. She briefly eyed me and nodded in annoyed satisfaction before heading over to the armoire and throwing it open.

She sifted through the gowns.

“Did this room used to belong to someone?”

Erlinen glanced at me, startled. “Why do you ask?”

“Why does Lord Vaelor have so many dresses on hand?”

“All you need to know is that this room is designed for dignitaries and other visitors. He keeps extra clothes on hand as a courtesy.”

I struggled to wrap my mind around being rich enough to simply have dresses of various sizes readily available for anyone who might stop by. Even when living in the human kingdom, I only had three everyday dresses and a nicer one I’d wear for special occasions—and it wasn’t nearly as nice as any of the attire Erlinen was sorting through.

She pulled out a gown and held it up with a critical eye. “This will do.”

The satin red fabric with black lace was nothing like I had ever seen.

“I will help you put it on. No protesting.” She stared at me with sternness in her expression.