The Shade of Blood (Shades of Darkness Book 2) by Emily Chabot

Author:Emily Chabot [Chabot, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: OneTree Quill Publishing
Published: 2021-01-29T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

Max

As soon as the king dismisses us, we’re told to follow our maids back to our rooms where we’ll be getting prepared for tonight. Unlike Ignis, the Clades has been generous enough to give us each private rooms, and though I’m grateful, I hate the silence. I hate the walls that stand forged between us. I hate the emptiness of the room, lacking conversations. I hate the Clades.

Maid Twenty-Three—I roll my eyes. What kind of name is that? But she doesn’t speak, and so asking her for a name is futile. She fills the copper basin with steaming water and motions with a shaky hand for me to get in.

Thankfully, she doesn’t try to help and instead stands, stock-still, at the far side of the room, staring at the floor. There’s a privacy screen between us, but I’m quick with my clothes and sink beneath the cover of the water.

The hot water calms my aching muscles, sore from today’s practice, and I close my eyes. Taking a deep breath, I submerge my head beneath the surface and scrub at my hair. It feels tangled and I wince. Brushing this mess out will not be pleasant.

When I’m done washing, the water is a light, murky brown, and sand slowly swirls at the bottom of the basin. I grab the towel and dry myself off, my skin chilled in the exposed air.

“Maid Twenty-Three,” I start and shake my head. What kind of tyrant doesn’t allow his servants to keep names?

Her head appears as it pops around the corner of the screen. Her eyes are brown, dull, and emotionless, as she stares at me, waiting.

I clear my throat. “Is there a comb I could use for my hair?”

She points to the black vanity table by the window.

I smile, sheepish. “Thanks,” I say.

She nods, saying nothing, and moves back to her spot by the door.

Sitting on the small bench in front of the vanity, I yank the comb through my knotted curls and grimace as the motion pulls my scalp. Soon enough, my hair is back to normal, smooth and shining.

I turn to the bed and eye the small pile of neatly folded clothes that sit on top. They’re all black, and from the feel of them, they’re thick leather. Maybe the king pays attention after all. Knowing leather is far superior to any armor in the palace, I smile and pull them on.

They’re the perfect size, fitting snugly against my skin, and stretch with a gentle squeak as I move to test out the seams. As I move, the leather expands to account for my muscles. They’ve been well made.

I hear the maid come up behind me on quiet feet and turn around. She holds out a belt, then points to the small table by the door. I hadn’t noticed it before, but now that I have, I can’t stop staring.

The weapons are polished, perfectly crafted, and my hands itch as I reach for one. Reflecting the dull lighting as I pick one up, the smooth blade shines.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.