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“How many rooms?” Petra asked.
“Two,” said Devon. “It’ll do Uther good to have a room to himself.” He could trust Uther, at least partly because my father had rather taken to him since our time at Martha’s. Uther didn’t understand that this man had taken us prisoner or that he was going to sell us to our enemies. Devon’s charm worked well on a man who’d become somewhat detached from reality. But I could hardly brag; I knew what he was doing and that charm had worked on me too.
“Three rooms might be more comfortable,” I put in.
“Two,” said Devon, firmly.
“You’ll have more fun in two,” Petra recommended.
I didn’t argue. It wasn’t as if I was going to get my way—if he wouldn’t even leave me untied after I saved his life, then there was no way Devon would let me have a room to myself for the night.
The inn was charming and warm and well run. The rooms were cozy and even though I was forced to share with Devon, I was already looking forward to a night in a real bed, with a soft mattress at my back instead of the hard earth.
Downstairs Petra created a convivial atmosphere, chatting and laughing with regulars, singing songs with them and sharing gossip, while her young husband raced this way and that, taking orders which he wrote down slowly with his brow deeply furrowed, then scurried to the kitchen to cook, never failing to whack his head on the way through.
To be frank, I hadn’t expected much from the food, but Thomas turned out to be an excellent chef.
“There’s only two things he’s good at,” laughed Petra. “Cooking is one of them.”
“What’s the other?” I asked.
Petra looked at me a moment then patted my cheek. “You’re so very young, aren’t you?”
I blushed and Devon tried to hide his laughter.
***
The fire was lit in our room when we entered later, and, standing in front of it, was a gleaming copper bath, freshly filled with steaming water.
“You said you needed hot water,” Petra said, as she showed us in. “I thought we’d go you one better.”
“Much appreciated,” nodded Devon.
“Just the one,” Petra grinned. “But I’m sure you two can share.”
When the landlady was gone and the door closed, I said, “I told her we needed hot water so I could clean and replace your dressings.”
Devon shrugged. “Well, this ought to do it.”
His body had slumped as soon as the door closed, and I realized that putting on an act all evening had put a strain on him. A relaxing hot tub was exactly what he needed.
“I could wait in Uther’s room,” I suggested.
“I need you to help with the bandages.”
Of course, the real reason was that he didn’t trust me.
I turned my back as Devon undressed but still felt my cheeks flushing hotly at every sound that came from behind me. Finally, I heard a pained gasp. A pause. Then another.
“Selena,” and there was some embarrassment in his voice. “I can’t get into the tub.”
I wished I wasn’t blushing so obviously as I turned around and went to help him.
“What are doing?”
“I’m helping you.”
“With your head, I mean.”
