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I must have been in the bathroom much longer than I realized, and I exhaled a breath I didn’t know I’d been clinging to.
Turning my head toward the doorway, I half-expected to see the Royal Guard standing there, but she kept her distance in the bedroom. I liked her. Too bad I hadn’t met her sooner. I would have preferred her to Jaylen or the other males who had silently and rudely watched over me.
“Yes, Isa. I’m coming out.”
Reluctantly, I turned off the shower and reached for a fluffy white towel, wrapping my dripping, aching body in it. All the walking had taken its toll on me, and I wanted nothing more than to crawl into the enormous bed and sleep for a week.
But not alone. I wanted to be sleeping with Zen, just like we did in the woods.
My stomach growled as I entered the bedroom, and to my utter surprise, a silver tray sat on the vanity, laden with food.
“The king had food sent up for you,” she informed me.
I didn’t know what to say, my mouth watering at the sight of it. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d eaten anything at all.
“Let me get dressed.” But I realized I had nothing to wear but the filthy outfit I’d brought from Agnan’s property.
“The king also had some garments brought in. They’re in the dressing room.”
Why was he doing all this for me if he didn’t care? Maybe he did care.
Another round of tears filled my eyes.
“It’s all right, Miss Mirielle. Please don’t cry,” Isa said.
Sobs silently wracked my body. I was entwined with his enemies, and still, he found it in his heart to offer me kindness.
Hastily, I wiped my cheeks and forced a smile before I could embarrass myself more in front of this stranger.
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled, turning toward the closet. “I’ll be right out. Can you thank the king for me?”
“I…” Isa trailed off helplessly, and I didn’t press her.
Zen wasn’t looking for gratitude. He was just ensuring I was well-fed and dressed before he sent me on my way. He was furious, but he didn’t want anything to happen to me. He didn’t want that on his conscience, either.
He hadn’t sent any of the expensive dresses back to hang in the empty closet, but I wouldn’t be needing a formal gown today—or in the future, for that matter. I found a pair of jeans and a white blouse before heading back out to the vanity to brush my unruly red waves, still damp from the shower.
The platter was filled with meats, cheeses, and vegetables charcuterie style for me to snack on. A steaming pot of coffee sat in a silver urn, but I didn’t touch it, knowing it would disrupt my sleep habits, which would no doubt already be sketchy.
“Isa, could I go to the king?” I asked boldly once my stomach was filled, a deep tiredness settling inside me.
I sat back on the vanity stool and stared at her, catching my own plaintive expression in the mirror. The guard’s eyes popped, and she shook her dark head of hair with so much force, strands came loose from her bun.
“Oh, no… I don’t think he wants to be disturbed. He’s having a private meeting with the head of the Royal Guards,” she blurted out.
I arched an eyebrow. “Would you tell him that I’d like to see him when he’s finished talking to Calliver?”
Isa pursed her lips, and I could see that my requests were making her more ill-at-ease than she already was.
“Miss, it isn’t really my place—”
I stood abruptly and moved toward the bed, the agitation keeping me from wanting to sleep.
“Can you call Landon or Jaylen in here, then?” I asked impatiently. “If they’re not in the meeting, at Calliver’s side?”
Isa sighed heavily. “With respect, miss, I have orders that…” She paused. “You aren’t to be giving orders.”
Well, that was a gut punch. I fully understood my place. Prisoner in a gilded cage.
