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“Much of the time I did. But there were occasions when I chafed at the rules. My grandfather was loving, but also stern.”
“How did he feel about the slavery issue?” she muttered.
“He would not have approved.”
“Really?” She dropped the washcloth. “I don’t suppose he’s still around.”
“No. He passed away five years ago.”
Sabrina touched his damp arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful.”
“I understand. There’s no need to apologize. I often wish he was still with us. Until his death, I was merely the heir to the city. I had more freedom. Now I have a greater responsibility.”
She knelt on the floor. “What’s the governmental structure here? Is there a parliament of some kind?”
“A tribal council that advises me. However, they do not have power unless I grant it to them. The city is a complete monarchy.”
“Just my luck.”
“You could always appeal to my mother. She has much influence with me.”
Sabrina gestured to herself, then to him in the tub. “This might not be the time. She would get the wrong idea.”
“Actually she would understand exactly what I was after.”
His voice had turned low and seductive. Sabrina swallowed. “Yes, well, perhaps later when I’m more formally dressed.”
He took her hand and placed it on his chest. “I would prefer you not to be dressed at all. I want to see my prize.”
She felt like a bird trapped in the compelling gaze of a cobra. As much as she wanted to shriek and run away, she couldn’t. Her fingers curled into the hair on his chest. Warm water lapped against her wrist and his heartbeat pulsed against her palm.
Was it her imagination or was he getting closer? Was Kardal leaning toward her, or her toward him? The shivers turned to honest-to-goodness trembling and she knew that if she’d been standing, her legs would have given way.
Fire filled Kardal’s eyes. She felt the heat down to her bones. It melted her resistance. His gaze settled on her mouth and she knew he was going to kiss her. What would it be like to be kissed by a man such as him? He would expect her to understand the ways between a man and a woman. He would expect her to be an expert, when in fact most sixteen-year-old girls knew far more than her. She’d never really been kissed—not the way she’d read about in books.
Kardal watched the various emotions flash through Sabrina’s eyes. He read curiosity and fear, confusion and desire. The combination intrigued him…and made him wonder. If he didn’t know better, he would think she was as innocent as she claimed.
But that wasn’t possible. She’d been raised in Los Angeles. There was her lifestyle, the parties she attended, the men she’d been associated with.
But the seed of doubt had been planted. Kardal found himself wanting to know the truth. He touched her soft cheek with one hand and with the other, drew her fingers under the water, toward his arousal. He’d been fully erect for some time and welcomed the thought of her touching him.
But she barely brushed against him before pulling free and jumping back as if she’d come in contact with an open flame. Color flared on her face and her mouth trembled slightly.
“You’re going to have to finish your bath yourself,” she said, turning away from him. “I can’t do this anymore.”
Interesting, he thought to himself. Sabrina might not be a virgin, but she wasn’t as experienced as he’d thought. She might be able to play at certain things, but she couldn’t invent a blush, or the haunted expression in her eyes.
“Hand me my towel,” he said, preparing to rise. When she didn’t move, he sighed. “The towel is by the fire, which is across the room. I will walk there naked, if you would prefer. If not, hand me the towel and avert your gaze.”
She did as he suggested, keeping her back to him as he stepped out of the water. After covering himself, he collected his clothes and headed for the door.
“We will have dinner tonight,” he told her. “Both in clothes.”
She glanced at him, appearing unsure of his purpose. Kardal didn’t understand it, either. It seemed that he wanted to get to know Princess Sabra. Perhaps because she might not be exactly who or what he’d first imagined.
“A girl’s school?” Kardal asked in disbelief.
Sabrina leaned her elbows on the low table between them. Humor brightened her brown eyes. “Well, duh. Eastern fathers aren’t the only ones trying to protect their daughters. Rich people do it, too. Also, a lot of studies have been done showing that girls learn more and perform better in school when they aren’t in mixed classrooms.”
