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“I’m afraid the best I can probably manage for the moment is something in the style of my people.”
“That’s fine.”
“Shall we?” He swept aside to indicate the stairs. I grabbed my crusty skirts and began climbing. Once we reached the next level, the King muttered, “Wait here while I get your ravenous belly some food.”
“And drink,” I sweetly reminded.
He snared a woman washing the table, and she nodded a few times before heading for an archway at the back of the room.
“Your tray will be up shortly.”
“You’re getting better at this host thing already,” I praised.
He snorted. We headed for another set of stairs winding upward. At the next level, soldiers guarded the stairs going up. We, however, had arrived. A rounded vestibule with five entrances, the doors made of varnished and bleached bones, each held a different symbol.
He pointed to one of a half sun on a horizontal line. Sunrise. Very similar to sun set. “That is your chamber. Your uncle is in the one beside it.”
“Thank you.”
“Your majesty.”
“Excuse me?” I blinked at him in confusion.
“The proper address, even for a foreigner, is your majesty. Or highness. My people use the term my king, as well, but that doesn’t apply to you, does it?” Even with his veil, I felt his piercing gaze.
My own face felt naked before it. I had to be careful. My expressions would give me away.
“So sorry,Your Highness,” I drawled. “Wouldn’t want you to feel disrespected.”
He muttered a low, “I doubt that. Now, if you’ll excuse me, you’re not the only thing in my kingdom requiring my attention.” The King left, and that was fine.
We’d met, perhaps not how I’d have preferred but a start. The next time, I’d have to ensure he saw me as more than a whiny, smelly, and crusty annoyance.
Whether by accident or design, the outfit laid on my bed provided the perfect opportunity to showcase my difference.
Now I needed to gather the nerve to not only go barefaced in front of all his court but purposely show off an indecent amount of skin.
CHAPTEREIGHT
The bath was being filled as I walked into the bedroom I’d been loaned. Koppa stood by a spout that filled a large basin big enough for me.
Running water was not unusual, but the fact it emerged hot enough to cause rising steam? I almost clapped my hands in glee. I waved my hand at Koppa. “Leave. I can finish without your help.”
He bolted, and I took a moment to secure the door before stripping. Rather than dump the disgusting rags on the floor, I opened the door and tossed them out, only to halt, bare arm in the hall, at the sight of a girl carrying a tray and another with a pitcher.
My eyes went to the pile of dirty fabric then the girls. Using quick thinking, I hastily exclaimed, “Thank goodness the King sent you to help me with my bath. I was wondering how I’d wash my hair properly.”
Both girls gaped before the freckled one to the left said, “What is that smell?”
I shrugged. “Me, my clothes. I was almost eaten by a monster in the desert.”
If possible, their jaws dropped even further. Again, the freckled girl recovered first. “I’ll fetch a bucket. We’ll need it for rinsing.”
While I lounged in the hot bath, the freckled one called Menni took care of my hair. Lalla brought me bites of food and a glass of juice to drink that had me groaning. “That’s the best jasmine rice I’ve ever had.” Menni froze, and I realized I’d made a mistake that needed quick covering. “We stopped in a few taverns on our trip to your capital, and I made a point of trying the local specialties."
With that satisfactory explanation, Menni resumed combing my wet hair, pulling out gunk. “What kind of foods do you have in Weztroga?”
I actually knew because the gradeena often hosted specialty evenings, including events that involved serving dishes from other countries. I named off a few, and I thought I’d covered well, but I’d have to be more careful. I had to be clever without the drugs. Even if I hadn’t lost my stash, I couldn’t exactly dope everyone around me.
