AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Luka makes a little noise of what can only be interpreted as displeasure as we leave. Then out in the hall, he hisses, “Of all the underhanded tricks, I can’t believe you would attempt to use my mother.”
I feel my brow furrow. “What?”
He stomps down the hall and swings open the door to his room. “Get in here.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “No.”
“Rina,” he warns.
“Luka.”
His jaw shifts, telling me he’s not fooling around. But I don’t care. Neither am I. Then he seems to really see me. “Why are you not dressed?!”
My annoyance becomes rage. “Is that some kind of twisted joke?”
Ion, who’s trying to disappear into the stonework, shifts on his feet and Luka turns his wrath on him. “Get gone.”
“I’m talking to you, Luka!” I erupt, not caring if the whole stronghold hears me. “If you don’t want me wandering your halls in my underclothes, I suggest you provide me with adequate clothing.”
The space between us crackles with animosity. “What is the use of providing you with it, if you don’t wear it?!”
“What’s the use of providing it,” I mock him, “only to take it away at your whim?!”
“What?” he snarls, storming into his room only to return two seconds later. “Kata!” he bellows toward the stairs, making me jump.
“Don’t scream like that! You’ll scare her.”
“Just get in here.”
“No! I won’t be locked up anymore. If I must be treated like an animal, you can chain me to the hearth downstairs with Cayson. At least I’ll have some company, then, no matter how rotten.”
“I don’t know what you’re playing at, princess, but I’m not buying this bullshit.”
The viciousness with which he delivers that cryptic remark feels like a slap. It’s like I’ve woken to an unrecognizable world.Hadn’t we turned a corner together yesterday?Because this man is like a stranger. I’m forced to swallow back a horrible lump of disappointment.
“What?” he scoffs. “No comeback?”
My eyes flip up to his. “Sorry, turns out my well of bullshit isn’t as deep as you thought it was. I have nothing left to say to you.”
He’s already opening his mouth to insult me further when Kata comes barrelling around the corner from the stairs, her arms full. She pulls up short when she sees us, then cowers when Luka turns his ire on her.
“Where have you been?” he thunders and I scurry to put myself between them.
“Enough,” I seethe at him. “Go be an ogre somewhere else.”
Kata juggles the clothing in her arms, lowering her head again and again in respect or apology to Luka, trying desperately to show him . . . the bottom of my blue gown?
“Oh, Kata,” I say, surprised. “Did you move the hem on my dress?”
She nods so vigorously I fear she’ll strain her neck.
“Thank you.” I finger the material and find it slightly damp. “Did you wash it too?” More nodding. “But when?” I ask. “Have you been up all night?”
Kata only shrugs her slender shoulders, shifting the heavy bundle in her arms. I spot my boots in the pile and pull them out to lessen the load. They’re much cleaner than they were yesterday.
I curl my arm around her shoulders. “Come,” I say, guiding her around the giant, brooding barbarian in the middle of the hall.
Undoubtedly not used to being ignored, Luka follows us into his chilly room. “The high and holy princess needs companionship, Kata.”
