AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Maven’s space was more of a preparation chamber, outfitted with all the necessities— a clawfoot tub filled with steaming, scented water, brushes and racks of clothing. There was a narrow table where more intense preparation occurred— the waxing and plucking of all the hair on my body except for what grew from my scalp. Claude preferred that long, so it reached my waist now. I didn’t mind the length of hair on my head, but if I ever decided to leave, I was never going to touch a single piece of hair anyplace else again. Thankfully the removal of body hair had already routinely taken place.
I went to the tub, disrobing in the silence. Maven wasn’t known for being talkative. She didn’t speak. Not once as the nightgown slipped from my shoulders and slid over my hips, or while I stepped into the tub and bathed myself. She just waited, a towel held in those crooked fingers, her gaze rheumy but alert.
Naomi had once told me that Maven was the Baron’s grandmother on his father’s side, but Valentino, one of the other paramours, said that she was the widowed wife of one of the past groundskeepers. Lindie, a cook at the manor, claimed that Maven had been a mistress of one of the past Barons, but I was of the opinion that she was a wraith that somehow had managed to keep the flesh on her bones. I glanced at the papery thin skin of her forearms. Shebarelykept the flesh on her bones.
Once I’d finished in the tub, she dried me off as roughly as humanly possible. Maven also wasn’t known for her gentleness. I stood naked, toes curling against the floor as she shuffled to the rack. The hangers clanged off one another as she flipped through the clothing, eventually pulling out a robe that was the color between cyan and blue. The shade of the Midlands’ cloudless sky.
I shoved my arms into the wrapper and stood still as she knotted the sash so tightly the fabric cut into the soft skin of my waist. One glance in the standing mirror confirmed what I already knew. The vee of the neckline was absurdly deep and the robe was more gossamer than cloth. If I walked in brighter light, the exact shade of the skin surrounding my nipple would be known.
Swallowing a sigh, I went to the stool, sitting so Maven could undo all the pins holding up my hair. She then brushed out the tangles, jerking my head back with each stroke. My nails dug into my palms throughout the whole process; I was sure I’d be half bald soon. When she finished, no more than an hour had passed. She opened the door, leaving me to rejoin Grady in the hall. She didn’t follow. Her task was done for the night.
Neither Grady nor I spoke until we entered the silent hall leading to the various wings of the manor. Only the soft light of the moon streaming in through the windows lit our way, thank the gods.
Twisting my fingers around the sash, I stared ahead, breathing in the air scented with honeysuckle that flourished along the walls of the manor as I thought of other times I’d been asked to use my abilities. Usually it was a visiting baron or another member of the aristo. My intuition usually was able to warn whether the visitor could be trusted or if they were up to something. I could even sense more, if that was what Claude wanted. He liked to know what made the others tick so that he could use that in potential dealings.
“Here,” Grady finally said, reaching into the breast pocket of his tunic, dropping a small coin-sized pouch into my palm. The laughter that usually filled his deep brown eyes was nowhere to be seen, nor were those boyishly charming dimples that had gotten him out of so much trouble when we were younger. “Find out what you need to know and get out.”
I glanced down at the black pouch containing the Long Night. Claude’s targets were never aware that they’d been drugged. The Long Night was odorless and tasteless. “Did you see who has come?”
“No. I only know of the chamber, but I’m assuming it’s a chancellor.” His nostrils flared. “I don’t like this, Lis.”
“I know.” Curling my fingers around the pouch, I slipped it into the pocket of the robe, where the material was thankfully thicker. “But you shouldn’t worry. I’ll have it under control.”
Lips pressed together, he shook his head as we walked a little farther, his hand clutching the hilt of his sword. We neared the east wing, which overlooked the courtyards and the sections of the gardens where the roses bloomed. The chambers here were stately, reserved only for those the Baron sought to impress.
I glanced up at Grady. The muscle along his jaw was ticking. “You understand that I don’t have to do this. That I’m choosing to do this.”
Grady’s brows flew up. “Really?”
“Yes. I could’ve said no. Claude wouldn’t have made me do it, and if I don’t want things to progress, I’ll use the Long Night once I find out why this chancellor is here. Hopefully, it’s not because Claude is late on his tithe, because we really don’t need that on top of everything else to worry about,” I said. “Tonight is no different than any other night.”
The muscle continued to pulse at his jaw. “You speak as if this is not a big deal.”
Folding my arms over my chest, I looked away. The thing was, these meetings were complicated, because sometimes it wasn’t a big deal. Sometimes Ienjoyedthe touching. It wasn’t like those I met under these circumstances were always bad, odious people. Often they were charming and interesting, and I . . . could touch them without the guilt of seeing or sensing what they likely wanted to keep hidden. I could shovel that blame onto Claude, and yeah, I knew how messed up that was. Deep down, I knew I still shared some of that guilt. Either way, I walked away from these encounters unharmed, and there had been only a few times I sensed things I felt like I’d never be able to erase the memory of.
Walking once more, there were just the sounds of his boots and my robe whispering against the stone floor until we came to a set of double doors.
“We’re here,” Grady said quietly. “If anything happens . . .”
“I scream,” I told him— something I’d yet to have to do.
Grady stepped in to me, his hand moving to my arm. “Be careful,” he whispered. “Please.”
My heart squeezed. “I will be.” I smiled at him. “It’ll be okay.”
Grady stiffened. “You keep saying that.”
“And maybe you’ll start believing me.”
“Or maybeyou’llstart believing it.”
I tensed. A weird mixture of sensation hit me— confusion and an emotion that scalded my insides, making me wonder if I shouldn’t be okay with any of this. If I already knew the answer to that and my words were all false bravado and deflection. I turned from him, more than just a little unsettled. But now wasn’t the time for deep introspection.
Because I was already a bit nervous. I was every time I did this. I liked to think anyone would be, because I never knew what was waiting on the other side of the walls. I wasted no more time, reaching for the gold ornate knobs. Unlocked as expected. I stepped inside an antechamber lit by a lone lamp placed by a deep-seated settee. The doors made no sound as I closed them behind me. I hesitated for only a few seconds as I scanned the space. It was empty except for the rich furnishings draped in lush fabrics and carved out of smooth, glossy wood, but there was . . . there was a presence here.
A tangible energy that coated my skin, eliciting a wave of goose bumps. My mouth dried as I turned to the rounded archway that led to the bedchambers. Fingers still twisting the sash nervously between them, I started forward even as unease resurfaced.
I assumed that whoever was here would be expecting company. Surely, Claude would’ve made sure of that. After all, the doors were unlocked. But I heard nothing as I entered the darkened bedchamber. My steps slowed as I allowed my vision to adjust to the darkness. I inched closer, making out the door leading to the bathing chamber left slightly ajar. Power also drenched the walls and floor. Tiny shivers coursed over my skin. My heart began to pound even faster. I knew this feeling, and there was a scent here. A soft, woodsy aroma that reminded me of—
