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Sai had decided when he emerged from the river that he was going to spend the rest of his time on earth, what he had left of the fourteen days, protecting Brigid as best he could.
And as long as he was with her, he felt certain Ben and Annie would stay as well. The two young humans had been extremely useful thus far, especially Ben and his skill with a saber.
Sai still didn’t know what they wanted from him, and he didn’t care. He would use them to protect Brigid, just as they intended to use him for something else.
He didn’t know when he came to this decision exactly. Perhaps it was the moment when Brigid had leaned close, standing on tiptoe, arms wrapped tightly around his neck.
He’d felt her warm breath on his face. His lips, which must have been blue from the freezing river, had immediately thawed. Becoming pliant and full.
Tender. Hyper-sensitive with…expectation.
She wanted something from him, he instinctively knew in that ephemeral moment. And he’d wanted something back…
He just didn’t know what.
“The prince endured the worst of it, I’m afraid,” Brigid continued.
“First, leaping into the way of those rough riders to protect my person. Then, jumping into the river to haul me out when I tumbled in. He must be bruised, sore, and terribly frozen. The least we can do is offer him the hospitality of a hot bath and supper. And perhaps it would be best if he stayed the night.”
“Absolutely,” Lady Rathbourne immediately agreed, nodding vigorously.
“He must stay until he is entirely recovered. Why, he may as well have saved your life, Brigid dear! We owe him a great debt.”
Sai scowled more fiercely as the lady of the house ringed for servants to prepare his comforts.
But then, Brigid shuffled close and surreptitiously reached for his hand.
“Stay,” she whispered beneath her breath, as if she could sense his desire to bolt.
She slid a look in his direction under the cover of her lashes, magnified by the spectacles perched adorably on the bridge of her perfect nose.
And he was caught like a fly in the trap of the Venus flower. Entangled inextricably in those fluttering, silky fans.
He stayed.
Now, he sat in a grand bed, back against the headboard, wearing a borrowed robe and nothing else. Carefully consuming the freshly made broth that Brigid herself brought up to him.
He’d taken his time in the bath some two hours before, simply luxuriating in the hot, scented water until it turned lukewarm. Then, he hastily scrubbed himself clean with the sponges and soaps that were provided.
The Rathbournes had offered the use of their servants. Sai declined. He didn’t need strangers seeing the barely closed gashes and stab wounds all over his torso, arms and legs. He must look like he’d been mauled by a bear, and even he knew that there were no bears in the city of London.
He didn’t want to explain his wounds. More than that, he didn’t trust anyone to see him this weak.
The Master had spies everywhere, even among the human population. Perhaps especially the humans. In Sai’s experience, they were easily bribed with coins and other favors.
By the time he stepped out of the large tub and wrapped himself in the thick robe that had been draped over a chair, the water was a murky dark gray. His legs were rubber, but his body no longer shook with chills.
There was a similar plush carpet in his room, though the design was different. While he had the opportunity, he walked back and forth upon it at the foot of his bed, feeling the soft moss-like material tickle the soles of his bare feet.
A toasty fire had been kindled upon the small hearth, and he stood before it with his robe open, hands out, letting the heat from the flames caress his newly washed skin.
How long had it been since he felt truly clean? He couldn’t recall. It was well before the Master had got hold of him.
Animal spirits of all Kinds, including dragons, loved cleanliness. Perhaps serpents most of all, for they lived in water. He hadn’t known how much he needed this bath until he had it.
Somehow, Brigid had known.
She always seemed to know what he needed.
