SWNOVELS Queens and Monsters: Chapter 18
Dinner became a party. As the wine and blood flowed things became…well, rowdy doesn’t quite seem to capture it. Glasses were smashed, singing broke out, kissing and drinking everywhere.
Antyne brought in a short, plump, dear of a woman named Seema to take me to my chambers. She led me through the darkened house, mentioning things like, “the kitchen is down that way,” or, “this is the library,” never stopping to let me do anything more than peek inside.
I had a feeling that was because of what was happening in each of those rooms. I only caught glances but it seemed an orgy was breaking out in the House of Axl. I saw a few naked behinds and bared breasts, heard lots of panting and moaning. Sometimes they were in pairs of different combinations, sometimes there were many more involved.
I swallowed hard.
When Dray said samhain were more sexual…he really meant it.
Seema threw open a set of tall doors and urged me inside. “What do you think?”
I blinked several times as I took in the enormous, opulent room. It stretched far overhead with a tray ceiling and ornate, carved woodwork. The opposite wall was mostly windows, with two doors that opened up onto a gorgeous Tuscan inspired terrace, complete with vines and flowers. I had a huge bed with one of those canopies that seemed to be built into the wall. There were curtains tied off on each side that could be pulled around the bed for privacy. Every window had tall, heavy curtains. Each piece of furniture was fine and ornate.
It was a room made for a princess in a fairytale. “It’s…it’s gorgeous!” There was no other description that suited the beautiful space. I just didn’t understand how it was mine.
Seema smiled. “Over here is your modern closet.” She flicked on a light and walked inside. “We’ve taken the liberty of getting you started.”
It was a full walk-in closet that was more like a room of its own. Shelves, drawers, and racks filled with expensive designer clothes from jeans to slacks to dresses. I saw sneakers, boots, and high heels. There were even handbags. In the middle was an island with soft chairs on either end. The island contained drawers filled with accessories and lacey undergarments.
“Wow.” I’d never owned nice clothes, let alone had someone shop for me. The closet was as big as my cottage bedroom. It was all too much and I felt my mind begin to disengage. This isn’t real. It couldn’t be real.
“Whatever else you’d like, simply ask. I’ll get it for you.” Then she pushed open a door that led to a hallway that appeared to be lined with storage compartments, then opened a door on the other end. “And this is your traditional closet.”
I blinked several times at the sight of ornate robes, cloaks, and gowns, some like the ball gown I’d seen Gigi wear the night I met her, some even older in style. On the far wall armor was on display under a special light.
Seeing that confused my brain even more. “Is that…mine?”
She gazed up at it. “It will be. This set always belongs to the Lady of the House, which will be you. When you’re ready to train we’ll get you suited up.” She said that like I should know what it meant, which at this point was icing on the cake. If I tried to make sense of this I’d start laughing hysterically. “Damn. Okay.”
Seema patted my arm. “Don’t you worry about any of this just yet. I’ll make sure you’re dressed properly for each occasion. That’s my job. You worry about that power of yours and let me do the rest.”
At least there was one warm, friendly face here.
“This is your bathroom!” she called back to me, leading me out of the closet and to yet another door.
If the bedroom was amazing and the closets incredible, then this bathroom was the definition of decadence. White marble everything. Heated floors and towel racks, an enormous shower with two showerheads and a waterfall above, plus the soaking tub was inside the shower.
“I might live in here instead,” I murmured.
Seema chuckled. “I don’t blame you. Oh! I forgot to show you something.” She led me back to the closets, to the hallway with the storage compartments, throwing open and sliding away the middle set to reveal a kitchenette. “You have a mini fridge here. I stocked it to the best of my ability based on the information we had.”
I peered inside to find cream, a variety of fruits and cheeses, hummus, olives, and more. Then she opened a pantry with golden baskets that pulled out filled with snacks.
“You have your appliances stored in here, but I went ahead and pulled out the coffeemaker. And over here is the wine.” She opened another cabinet with dozens of bottles of wine in a rack.
“I guess you can’t live at a winery without your own supply.”
“You’ll find the wine is flowing most of the time here. Sometimes even with breakfast. Speaking of which, what would you like in the morning? I’ll bring it to your room. After that I’ll help you dress for the day.”
“You work a long day.”
She shrugged. “It’s what I do and it’s my pleasure to help the new Lady of the House learn the ropes.” She looked around the room. “You should have everything you need in these chambers for the night. Is there anything else I can get you?”
If my eyes were to be trusted, I could live here and never leave. What else could I possibly want? “It’s more than I ever expected. Thank you for your help, Seema.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
She took my breakfast order and left me for the night. I changed into one of the beautiful nightgowns and robes, poured myself a glass of wine, and grabbed my phone before moving out onto the terrace to call Gigi.
“Oh, thank goodness!” she sighed as soon as she saw my face. “I’ve been so nervous all day! You look good! Uh, what is that nightgown? I want it. It’s gorgeous!”
I moved the phone around to give her a better look. “I have a wardrobe. And chambers. And a bathroom to put all bathrooms to shame.”
She pouted. “I wish I could come visit. What about the library?”
“I only caught a glance. There were people…um…having sex in it. But it looked formal and not nearly as magical as yours.”
“Lou has mentioned the House of Axl is pretty open about their indulgences. Although sex in any library is totally on my bucket list.”
It was definitely on mine as well. “Dinner was good, but it turned rowdy at the end. They got me out of there pretty quickly.” I could only imagine what was happening now.
“Give me a tour! Where are you now? You look like you’re outside.”
I showed her the terrace and then moved inside, sipping wine and showing off my rooms until Gigi needed to get back to her work. Walking back through everything and talking to Gigi helped calm my nerves a little and allowed my brain to start processing this new reality.
“Good luck tomorrow. I expect another call.”
I rolled my eyes. “I promised to call every day, didn’t I? Besides, I need a friend to talk to.”
“Damn straight.” Then she smiled. “Get a good night of sleep, Rhysa.”
We ended the call and I stared at the phone for a long time debating whether to call Dray. After a few minutes I set the phone aside and found my bag. The contents seemed old and drab now, but I placed my favorite jeans and sweater in my “modern” closet anyway, taking care to leave my computer and loafers in the bag before I stashed it in the back.
Rhysa.
Dray’s voice echoed into my mind, the same but different. Like a long-distance call that had a little trouble connecting. The same warm electric sizzle I loved so much raced over my skin. I felt an urge to return to my phone and before I knew what I was doing, the call had gone through and I was looking at Dray.
He scowled at me. “Why am I waiting?”
I squirmed a little. “I wasn’t quite ready to call you yet.”
“You called my sister.”
“She’s easy to talk to.”
His scowl deepened. “And I’m not?”
“No,” I said quickly because it was true. “You’re grumpy and often don’t speak at all.”
“Oh, I speak when I want to,” he said in his sex voice, all low and rumbly.
My insides squeezed. “Honestly, it was a lot to leave you today and I wasn’t sure it was wise to torture us again so soon.”
He swallowed hard. “I understand but I also don’t care how much torture I have to take. You call me. I need to know you’re well.”
“I’m well, Dray. Just stiff from it all.”
His eyes glinted with mischief. “Take a hot shower or bath then. Give your muscles some relief. I bet you’ve been tense all day.”
A bath sounded like heaven. “I’ll do that.”
“Good,” his voice rumbled so deep it almost disappeared. “Tell me about your day.”
Once again I detailed the dinner, explaining that I wasn’t exactly the most welcome person at the big table.
“That’s a problem. Watch your back.” His mischief was gone and worry filled his eyes instead.
“I’ve read enough historicals to know how this goes,” I assured him. How many times did royal rivals poison or kill the next in line so they could take the throne for themselves? Rhymus went from being the next Lord Axl to second in line, most likely to never wear the crown. He couldn’t be happy about that.
But how far was he willing to go to reclaim his place in the line of succession? Antyne wouldn’t stand by, he’d know what happened if I was killed. So he’d have to take us both out if he truly wanted to lead this House. And would the rest of the House go along? I needed to learn where loyalties lay.
“I see your mind working,” Dray murmured.
“I need to take the temperature of the House. Find out what people think of Rhymus.”
“And what they think of you. I’m sure some are loyal to their core, while others are worried about a surprise heir suddenly appearing.”
“You’re right. I felt some of that tonight, but I shut it down pretty quickly.”
Dray grinned. “I’m sure you did. I’ll ask around, see what I can find out through other channels. Now, you look exhausted. Go take a bath and get some sleep.”
I saluted him, mocking his demands. “Yes, sir.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “I’d enjoy that more if you said it naked while smiling up at me.”
“Just as I enjoy your commands much more when you’re naked and smiling down at me.”
“Fair enough. Good night my Rhysa.”
My heart skipped a beat at the endearment. It left me warm and fuzzy as I drew a steamy bath while also indulging in the waterfall shower. The sound of water blocked out the world and relaxed me, the hot water rushing over my body as I soaped up my hair and skin didn’t hurt either. When I was clean I sank into the overflowing tub, letting the water rush over the sides and spill down the shower drain.
“This is the coolest tub ever,” I murmured to myself as I sank below the water.
Close your eyes.
I did the opposite, looking around the shower in surprise.
Rhysa. Close. You. Eyes.
I shivered at Dray’s demand. It was the naked kind. Unsure what he was up to, I closed my eyes. “Draygus Wren, I thought I was supposed to be relaxing.”
“You are,” he said. It sounded as if he was right beside me now. But when I opened my eyes I was alone.
Keep your eyes closed.
The heat from the water against my skin was nothing compared to the sizzle coming from the Plane. It scared me a little, but I trusted Dray, so I closed my eyes again.
Then suddenly it was as if I wasn’t alone. I knew he wasn’t there, but it felt like Dray now sat behind me in the tub, his arms around me, his lips dropping kisses down my neck and shoulder. “Relax, Rhysa. And do not open your eyes until I say so.”