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I wonder if I will be prohibited from acting as her body decoy now that I am no longer allowed to work with the royal guard. If so, it would be an incredible waste. Though the majority of my time in Avedon was spent dealing with the betrothal contest, I did not forget there’s an unknown danger hovering over the fae royals’ heads. Elini, the youngest princess, was kidnapped from her bed. I found her in a blood laboratory in my realm. It’s what kicked off my involvement with the fae in the first place.
Just because I focused on surviving the betrothal contest doesn’t mean protecting the princesses shouldn’t be a priority. Maybe Queen Ulla will make an exception for me working as Alora’s decoy.
“Here we are.” Julley stops in front of the widest double set door on the third floor. In fact, I realize it is one of only three doors in the hall. The other two are smaller and subtle. They look like linen closets.
Julley confirms my suspicions when she says, “The Evergreen family is the only family that lives on this level of the west wing.”
The noble family must be very valuable to the queen to warrant such exclusive accommodations.
I lock that information away for later. Maybe I’ll be able to convince the illustrious family to dissolve the mating between me and Thalore. They can’t want him to be with a human. Or half-fae, if they subscribe to that narrative about my family.
Julley withdraws a bronze key and unlocks the door. She hands it to me. “Lord Thalore instructed I give this to you.”
I pocket the key and follow her inside.
My first impression of Thalore’s rooms is they have a distinctively masculine touch. Dark furniture with green, blue, and gold cushions, carpet, and drapes. I stand in the middle of a sitting room. High-backed chairs are positioned around a heavy-looking coffee table. A beverage cart covered with crystaldecanters filled with amber liquid and matching glasses cover the surface. The wall to my left is covered by one massive painting, depicting a dark gray castle. A lush meadow covered in flowers stretches out from it until the grass collides with a sparkling blue body of water.
“That is Gathlas,” Julley says, noticing my preoccupation.
“Gathlas?”
“Lord Thalore’s home region. His family’s seat.”
Ah.That’s right.
I remember his lengthy title:Thalore Neris Evergreen, Lord of Gathlas of Saphrai.I never connected the title to the fact Gathlas was a region of the queen’s country.
“It’s pretty,” I mutter, admiring the painting. Aside from the castle, everything in the painting is vibrant and lovely. If it didn’t mean subjecting myself to living in the fae realm even longer, I imagine I’d like to go see it.
“It’s one of the loveliest areas in our country,” Julley agrees. Then, she’s back to business. “I moved all of your clothes and belongings to the secondary bed chamber down the hall to the right.”
“Secondary bedchamber?”
Julley gives me a knowing smile. “It was against Lord Thalore’s instructions, but I trust he will not reprimand me for it. I’m sure he wants you to be comfortable, and I know you would not be if you were forced to share a bed chamber on your first night here.”
Her thoughtfulness is touching. “I don’t deserve you, Julley.”
Her smile brightens. “Of course you do, Andie. You’ve been the kindest lady I’ve ever served. I am honored to continue working for you.”
I wish she and I could just be friends, and we are. But I know Julley takes her role as a lady’s maid very seriously. Apparently, it is an honor. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to having someoneoffer to wait on me hand and foot, but Julley’s gentility and genuine companionship have made it much more enjoyable than I could have ever imagined.
Honestly, I’m not sure how I would have handled the last three days without her calm, reassuring presence. And her help keeping Thalore at bay.
But now that I’m living in his family’s rooms, those days have come to an end.
Seeing the stress on my face, Julley suggests, “How about you take a relaxing bath? I brought aromatic bathing salts that should help you relax.”
“Sure.” It’s not like I have anything else to do. I follow Julley down the hall on our right. Two more landscape pictures decorate the walls. Other than that, the space is bare. We enter a bedroom. This one is decorated differently than the main space. I wouldn’t say it’s feminine, but the lighter color scheme is certainly more delicate. I’d guess a female family member decorated this room.
Julley walks into the attached bathing chamber and runs the water in the massive claw-foot tub located on the edge of the space. She pours a bowl full of lilac bathing salts into the water. “There. Soak for no less than half an hour. I’m sure it will dull some of your aches.”
I don’t know if she means my physical or mental aches. Either way, I’m not sure a bath will work. Still, I say, “Thank you, Julley. For everything.”
“Of course, Andie.” Her eyes soften. “If you need me for anything, pull the bell cord located next to your bed. It will alert the on-duty servants that you have a need and they will fetch me.”
“Okay.” I already know I will do no such thing. Julley deserves to have her nights to herself. Especially since she’s been so diligent in keeping me company these past few nights.
Julley leaves after placing a fluffy blue towel on the countertop between the double sinks. I quickly undress and twist my hair into a high bun before I slide into the warm, sweet-smelling water.
