“A cloth, prophet,” one of the collared women held it out to him.
Nelina did her best not to wretch at the gruesome act.
Wrapping his ear with care, he handed it to Nelina. “The Magus can expect complete obedience from his true followers.”
Nelina filled with uneasiness, accepted the cloth with the man’s ear in it. “I will tell the Magus of your obedience and devotion to him. For now, Adar and I should be leaving.”
Esau ignored the gaping wound where his ear had been. “You are leaving so soon?”
“The hour grows late, and I was instructed to make haste in returning after meeting my with you.” She tucked the cloth behind one of the leather straps on her armor at the waist.
“I understand, perhaps next time the Magus will accompany you.” Esau motioned to the two men standing outside to pull open the flaps of the tent.
“He may, and I wish you luck in your task preacher.” She hoped Ru’ark would not have to use these people again.
Nelina and Adar made their way into the darkness back in the direction of where she had left the horse. Moving from one patch of fire light to the next, they could hear laughter and primal noises while they back tracked their steps to the entrance. It did not take long before they found the horse’s saddle, reins and other binding near where they had left the horse.
Adar pointed to the large pile of fresh bones.
“No,” Nelina’s voice cracked with sadness. “I can’t believe they killed him, Elian had chosen him more than once for me to ride.” She swallowed back the lump in her throat. “I want to get out of here.”
Nodding to Nelina, he led the way to the entrance and out on to the Kings road.
She let out a sigh dreading the long walk. “I’m glad that it’s over, but it’s going to be tiring journey back.”
The walk had been long, but Nelina was glad to finally be back at the palace and to be getting out of her armor she was not used to being in it for this long. When passing through the common District the warm light coming off the windows of the Inns they passed called to her. She had fought off the temptation of asking Adar if they could sleep in one. However, she cared more about making it back to Ru’ark. She unbuckled and loosened the leather straps on the top and middle portions of her armor, and in doing so, Esau’s ear dropped to the floor. “Of course,” She rubbed her forehead while closing her eyes and sighing. Picking it up, she tossed it onto the edge of a small table in the corner near the changing panel. If the hour were not so late, Claire would be here to help her. Her stomach rumbled, in addition to everything else she had missed her evening meal with Ru’ark. Reaching down, she released the buckles going down her outer thighs and then wriggled out of the rest of her armor. When she heard the door open she didn’t bother to turn, only Ru’ark would be entering her chambers at such an hour. Since the day he had moved in his desk, he had spent each night with her. Her eyes hurt from her weariness, and her body ached between her morning’s training and the evening’s walk back with Adar. She slipped on her nightdress and was about to step out when she realized she had forgotten about her hair. Irritated, she unpinned her long braid and then undid it by using her fingers to comb through it until she was satisfied.
Ru’ark smiled as she stepped out. “Come Sweetling, your day has been long. When I heard that you had entered the Palace I had the Kitchen prepare something for you.” She smiled back and stepped closer to the table as he lifted the cover of the platter revealing fruits, vegetables, bread cheese and strips of cooked meat.
Nelina saw the meat and froze, she looked at Ru’ark with tears in her eyes, and she was no longer able to keep them at bay. She had made it this long and had not cried in front of Adar once, here though in front of Ru’ark, her tears spilled forth.
Ru’ark embraced her, letting her cry. “Whatever it is, I’ll fix it.” He was concerned, he had sensed nothing amiss when Adar was with her or when he returned.
She buried herself into him sobbing. “You can’t, the horse is dead, and it’s my fault.”
“The horse,” he was relieved it was not something far worse. “What happened?”
“They killed him, he was the one Elian let me use all time, and if I’d have not let that stupid man take him, it wouldn’t have happened.” She clung to Ru’ark hugging him.
“Elian had told me upon his return that you and Adar were going to visit this Apostate leader.” He held her tight. “You will not blame yourself for this, it’s not your fault, from everything I’ve heard the Apostates, they are lunatics.”
“But,” she pulled away to look him in the eyes.
“But nothing,” His intense blue eyes locked with hers. “I give you my word, if there’s something I think you should hold blame for, or feel bad about, I will make it clear.”
“Okay,” with a small laugh her tears ceased and she calmed down. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, sit down and try to eat what you can.” He kissed her forehead.
She sat down in the chair, grabbing a piece of cheese. “This was very thoughtful of you to do for me, thank you.”
He sat down in the other chair. “It was the least I could do.”
“I don’t know how I’d be if I were to have eaten at Esau’s camp.” She bit off a piece of bread swallowing it down. “They really believe you’re their God, he gets up there prattling about it and his devoted flock doesn’t question it.”
Ru’ark took a sip of his spiced tea. “While I hold no faith in your God of All, I do find it interesting this group reveres me in that same way.”
Nelina, avoiding the meat, slipped another piece of cheese into her mouth. “The leader Esau is a madman, he chopped off a large portion of his ear for me to give you, and it’s on the table over by where I changed.”
“I have no interest it in it, one of the slaves can get rid of it in the morning.” Ru’ark picked his cup of tea. “How did the rest of it go?”
“Esau and his merry band of heretics will do everything you need, and they will do it with enthusiasm, Esau is desperate to gain your notice.” She drank a little of her wine. “He did try to touch my face and Adar stopped him. He thinks I’m a miracle and that you brought me back to life.” She set her down her cup concerned. “I have to know, was I dead, and was I in pain?”
His brows arched upward while looking at her. “Your soul never departed your body. But, you would have perished if my life essence had not sustained you.” He put his tea off to the side with a warm smile. “You felt no pain in the dream state you experienced.”
“Then I was in no pain, I remember that dream,” she took one last piece of bread. “That was incredible I’ve never had anything like that with anyone. My soul, and my entire being felt in unison with yours.” She shook her head. “I can’t explain it any better than that, I suppose.”
“For me, the bond we shared was beyond what I have shared with any other woman.” He smiled, “Tomorrow there will be no training.” His plans had changed since speaking with Aghadine and he needed to share them with her when she had a fresh mind.
“There won’t be?” She was surprised since she did not miss training often.
“On the morrow I have business to attend to in the morning. But, after the midday meal I would have you attend me in my private chambers since we have many things to discuss.” An almost wicked, but a sensual smile crossed his face. “Afterward, I plan on spending the rest of my time indulging in you.”
Her face flushed bright red thinking about him indulging in her as she had imagined in her own mind so often. “I will be ready.”
“Good, and if you’re finished, we should take our rest for the evening.” It was rare that he joined her at the same time to go to sleep. Usually, she was sound asleep when he took his rest.
“I’m through eating, sleep sounds exquisite.” She stood up from the table.
Ru’ark standing up with her, went over to the bed where he disrobed and then slipped into the bed.
Ne
lina climbed in with him, curling her backside against him and closed her eyes.
Ru’ark put his arms around her and held her close to him. She was not the only one looking forward to their time together tomorrow.
Sunlight poured through the large open windows overlooking the harbor and docks below as Nelina stretched out across her bed, she could not remember the last time she slept in this late.
“Morning, hope you slept well!” Claire was chipper as she poured Nelina’s morning tea and removed the cover off her waiting breakfast.
“I did, I feel refreshed,” She sat up in her bed.
“Good, while you’re eating, your bath can be prepared.” Claire walked over to the door and with a tug pulled it open to let the guard know it was time to have Nelina’s bath brought in.
With a jump Nelina was up and out of the bed as she went to the table with her now uncovered morning meal. Sitting down, her stomach gave a light tug as her mind decided on what to start with. “This looks delicious,” she chose on one of the red berry crepes. The light, flaky pastry was delicate and melted in her mouth. Her tongue could taste the sweet berry flavor.
Claire walked over to Nelina smiling, “Did you have any idea what you want to wear today?”
Her mouth swallowed down the berry crepe, and as she reached for the pitcher filling her glass with some of the breakfast wine. “Until later this afternoon when I visit the Magus, it doesn’t matter, a nice day dress I suppose.”
While she started in on her cooked eggs, the chamber door opened up and four male slaves carrying a tub came in to set up her bath.
Claire chose a dark red and tan dress for Nelina to change into after her bath and laid it out across the settee. After doing so, she went back by Nelina. “Did you have an idea for what you wanted to wear for the Magus later?”
Nelina smiled, then bit into the toasted bread and washed it down with a quick drink from her cup. “Here, I’ll show you,” with excitement, she ran to the large wooden chest containing her belongings.
Claire’s face betrayed her curiosity as she watched Nelina dig into the wooden chest, wondering what clothing it may be, since it was not with the rest of her daily clothes.
Nelina pulled out the square bundle wrapped in silk and brought it over to her bed. With care, she removed the garment from within and held it up for Claire to see.
“Don’t wear that in the hallways,” Claire had seen nothing similar, it was revealing, yet somehow elegant all at once. “It’s beautiful to say the least, a nightdress that says you want to do more than sleep.”
“I hope so, that’s the idea.” Nelina laughed, and soon it turned into a fit of small laughter between her and Claire. “Ru-” she corrected herself, “The Magus doesn’t have a clue that I had this made, and until today I didn’t have the courage to wear it in front of him.”
Claire frowned. “How did you keep this from the Magus?”
Nelina giggled. “Vera can be chatty, and I think she got him once in a conversation to the point that he just pays her and doesn’t care what clothes I choose.” She shrugged. “When the Magus saved me, I had a dream that I was with him, and that’s as close as Vera could get to creating what I saw.” She laid it down on her bed with a smile. “So yes, that’s what I plan to wear when I see the Magus later.”
“You will be stunning in it,” Claire gave Nelina a quick hug. “I think your bath is ready. I’ll leave you alone and come back in a little while.”
“Thanks Claire,” Nelina hugged her back. It had always been her preference to bath alone without any help. “I’ll See you in an hour or so then.”
Once the door shut behind Claire, Nelina went over to the tub which had been set up next to one of the windows overlooking the Torbian Sea. On the small table there was a variety of bath oils available to use. She decided on the white rose and lavender oils and put a few drops of each into her bath. She then climbed into the hot water and sunk down into the tub, which brought the water up to her collarbone, and had a good long, soak as her body reveled in its watery haven. She sat until the water had become tepid and when her fingertips became wrinkled. Finally, she decided to look to the day ahead and began washing her hair making sure it was clean. In one of her final tasks, she took the sea shell with its sharp edge, and dragged it across her legs and the other areas of her body which she sought to make soft and smooth to the touch. When done, she picked up the pitcher from the raised table, and poured it over her head to rinse herself clean. Reaching out, she grabbed one of the drying cloths and used one for her hair to absorb the moisture before taking the larger one for the rest of her body.
As if summoned, Claire returned with a light knock, but did not wait for a response and walked in as Nelina was stepping out of her bath. “It seems my timing was good.”
“It is,” Nelina walked to the settee where her dress was then slipped it on and then sat down on the cushioned stool in front of the mirror.
Claire taking a comb, ran it through Nelina’s hair. “I think since you’re not training today that I should pin your hair in a way that when you undo it will give you flowing curls, it will take me a couple of hours to do.”
“Then we should take the midday meal together when we’re done.” Nelina sat on a cushioned stool in front of the mirror as women did to watch as their hair was being fashioned.
“Sounds fun!” Claire parted a section of Nelina’s hair. “Will we be on the royal balcony?”
“No,” She stared at her reflection in the mirror. “I never complain, but I don’t like eating there. I always feel as if I must watch for my next enemy, whether it be Lucas, the Seer or the Queen.”
Claire pinned a curl, then put her hand on Nelina’s shoulder in sympathy. “Forgive me,”
Nelina gave Claire’s hand a quick squeeze. “There’s nothing to forgive my friend,” she shrugged it off. “The Magus and Elian trust me to be on my own.” Her smile was warm. “Often times I will take some of my food and go to one of the benches in the Magus’s part of the royal garden.”
“Elian,” Claire’s fingers with a nimble twist flipped a part of Nelina’s hair in and out before focusing on the next portion. “I wish he would see me the way the Magus looks at you.”
Nelina rolled her eyes. “Elian is besotted by the Queen’s lady viper Mary-Anne.”
“She is beautiful, I’m not.” Claire finished with another loop of hair and fastened a pin to hold it. While she had a fair figure and face, she was not the kind of pretty Mary-Anne or Nelina was where men took an instant notice.
“You have a beauty she can never attain, one day Elian will see it too.” Nelina stayed still as Claire worked on her. “Trust that he is a good man, one day he’ll come around, give him time.”
“I pray you are right, my father said he’d give his permission for Elian to court me if he came to him.” Claire’s hands continued to move effortlessly across Nelina’s head with her hair between her fingers creating the looped curls covering the better part of Nelina’s head. “His smile brightens my whole day.”
“For me, he is the brother I never had, and I’m glad to call him a friend.” Nelina was happy when she saw Claire twirling the last part of her hair around on top of her head. “That’s what you should try, go and ask Elian to train you as he has me.” She grinned, “I guarantee Mary-Anne will never do that and you will get Elian’s attention in a way she can’t.”
“If I can gather up the courage, I will.” Claire dropped her arms to her side. “There, you’re done, and I think for the midday meal, it might be wise to have food brought in here. We have a lot to do and we only have a few hours left before the Magus expects you.”
Claire walked over to the large polished oak door and pulled it open and instructed the guard to have their food brought in while Nelina made her way to a seat at the table.
On her way back towards Nelina, Claire brought over a small jar, she had been warming with a thin, flat, stick, and tweezers. “We should do your brows so they look pre
tty and shaped.”
“Sounds great,” The day felt odd to not be training and to spend it making herself as pleasing to the eye as possible for Ru’ark. “Out of all the things I thought would happen in my life being the Magus’s bed slave wasn’t it.”
“Is it a bad thing?” Claire spread some of the hot wax across the top of Nelina’s brows.
“No, I love him. I feel odd about it because I’ve spent many of my nights falling asleep wanting him to have me.” She felt the strips of cloths on her brows over the wax and the light pressing of Claire’s fingertips.
“Have you wanted that with other men before the Magus?” Claire in one fast motion pulled off the first strip followed by the second one and then picked up the tweezers to get any hair the wax missed.
“No, not that I’ve been with a lot of men, one before the Magus in fact.” Nelina stopped talking as the door creaked opened with one of the slaves brining in a platter of food and setting it down on the table next to them.
“You’re not a slave,” Claire removed the lid off the wide silver platter. “I mean, yes, you are the Magus’s bed slave, and I’ll be the first to admit that for a time people referred to you as his slave-pet, but you are far more than that.” The platter held several small cuts of meat and cheeses with warm bread surrounded by leafy greens and fresh, red, miniature tomatoes. Claire’s eyes went from the food to the pitcher of the sweet wine, as she poured glasses for the both of them. “That changed the day the Magus had Lucas whipped declaring himself equal with King Agnar.” She picked up a piece of cheese. “Other than a Queen, there aren’t any consorts, yet, here you are the Consort of the Magus and the citizens of Danthamore use your name with respect.” She scarfed down the cheese she had been holding. “Recent gossip in the markets is that soon it will be the Magus who rules Danthamore.”
“Other than you, I don’t hear any rumors or gossiping.” Nelina reached for one of the small red tomatoes as she popped it into her mouth. “I appreciate you sharing it with me.”
The Magus (A Chronicle of Rebirth Book 1) Page 18