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“You’re already finished?” Sylvia said, somewhat surprised.
“I loved every minute of it, but wanted to get dressed in case I have any visitors. Do you mind emptying the tub for me while I dress?”
“Are you sure you don’t need any assistance?”
Tempest offered her warmest smile as she sensed Aiden moving closer. “I should be fine. I will let you know if I need any help.”
“Of course. I will be out once I’ve cleaned up.”
Tempest watched the woman enter the bathroom and turned her attention towards the wardrobe. Two drawers filled with the softest undergarments she had ever felt were at the bottom. She could only hope the dresses were just as comfortable. She was not disappointed when she opened the doors and a wide array of colors greeted her.
Grabbing an emerald gown, she slipped it over her undergarments, the fabric sliding easily across her freshly oiled skin. Glancing around as she closed the doors, she spotted a jade comb on the nightstand. She snatched it up and began working the knots from her hair.
She felt him getting closer with each passing moment. Either their quarters were very close, or the emperor was on his way to see her.
The tightness disappeared, and she could finally take a deep breath again. Twisting her hair into a quick knot at her neck and securing it with a pin, she rose and moved towards the door. Someone knocked just as she came within reach. It had to be him.
Tempest opened the door, revealing Aiden and several guards on the other side.
She offered a small curtsy. “Your majesty.”
Aiden’s face lit up as he took in her appearance. “I see you’re settling in well.”
She smiled in return. “I am, thanks to you.”
“Do you mind if I come in? I would like to talk for a moment.”
Tempest held her arm out in welcome, stepping to the side. “Of course. Please…”
There was a loud crash behind her, and both she and Emperor Aiden jumped as his guards into rush the room.
Chapter 7
TempestmovedtoblockAiden from whatever caused the sound with her body, ready to call Soulshadow if needed. Her eyes quickly found Sylvia on her knees, head to the floor, hunched over broken glass. The guards surrounded her as the scent of jasmine hit Tempest’s nose once again.
Seeing that there was no danger, Tempest moved to help Sylvia.
“Your Majesty! I’m so sorry,” Sylvia blubbered. Her fingers trembled as she began picking up the broken shards. Tempest dropped to her knees and grabbed Sylvia’s hands just as a shard sliced the tip of her finger.
“Be careful. Here,” Tempest led Sylvia to one of the chairs and handed her a cloth from the trunk. “Let me clean this up. The calluses on my fingers make them tough to cut.”
Tempest dropped to her knees and began gathering the pieces in a second cloth she’d removed from the trunk. Careful not to look up, she nevertheless kept an eye on Sylvia and Aiden as she worked. He watched her with interest, hands at his side and oblivious to his guards who had rejoined him.
She lifted a large piece of the broken glass and dropped it again with a gasp.
Aiden stepped towards her. “Are you all right? Did you injure yourself, as well?”
With a hand raised to stop him from coming closer, she replied, “I’m fine.”
Lifting the glass again, she pulled a golden star nestled within a crescent moon out from under it. A delicate gold chain dangled through her fingers as she investigated her find.
“I was bringing it to you,” Sylvia blurted out. “I thought you must have left it in the bathroom and didn’t want it to get lost. I wasn’t keeping it, I swear!”
A pang of pain hit Tempest’s heart as Sylvia spoke. She couldn’t dig deeper right now, as there were too many people around, but her ability was calling to her. She would need to help this woman’s heart heal before she would find peace. She made a mental note to speak to Sylvia when they were alone and held up the necklace.
“This isn’t mine. Where in the bathroom did you find it?”
Sylvia trembled as tears welled up in her eyes anew. “It was just sitting there on the counter next to the sink. I swear I didn’t take it.”
