“How well do you know Adrian?”
She laughed—a sound that made my chest feel warm. “Well enough. He is my cousin.”
“Your…cousin?” I asked, surprised, though now that I thought about it, they did look alike. I had not thought about Adrian having family. “Did he…turn you?”
“He did,” Ana Maria answered but offered nothing else.
“Is it…rude to ask?”
“For some, it is,” she explained. “It depends on the circumstances by which they were turned. The oldest among us did not have a choice. We were not…in control then.”
I swallowed thickly, understanding.
“And…Adrian. Did he have a choice?”
Ana Maria did not answer as she took the teapot from the fire, setting it upon a cast iron trivet. Finally, she met my gaze. “I suppose it depends on who you ask,” she said.
She placed a few herbs into a mesh bag, soaking it in the hot water before placing it upon my skin. It smelled like peppermint and wintergreen, and once the heat of the water wore off, it began to cool and soothe. While the medicine took effect, Ana Maria made a cup of tea with a few of the supplies in her bags. As she poured water over the mixture, a strong, minty smell wafted toward me.
I wrinkled my nose.
“It is willow bark,” she said. “It will help with your pain.”
I was skeptical but encouraged by how good my arm was feeling. After a few sips, I set it aside.
“I do not know why I am here,” I said almost absently.
“You are here because Adrian wanted you,” Ana Maria said.
“But why?” I asked, meeting her eyes. “He could have had anyone, taken anyone else.”
He could have wed his vassal, and no one would have thought twice, because he did not need a union to conquer.
Ana Maria looked at me, and as she did, she slid her palms together. “You’re wrong,” she said, and her voice shook, but not from nerves. She seemed almost frustrated with me. “It could have only been you. There is no one else.”
I stared, confused, both by her reaction and her words. Then she took a deep breath and swallowed, and I thought she was trying to hold back tears.
“I apologize, Your Majesty. I spoke out of turn,” she said. “You should rest. Your lady-in-waiting will be along shortly to help you get ready for tonight’s feast.”
She curtsied and practically fled.
How strange, I thought as I fell heavily upon the covers of my bed. I did not realize I had closed my eyes until I was roused by a knock at the door.
“Your Majesty? It is Violeta. I have come to help you get ready for tonight.”
I rose from the surprising warmth of the bed, still groggy, and made my way to the door where I found a young woman waiting. She was short and thin, her limbs pale white and her hair a dull brown. She had delicate features—round eyes, a small nose, and thin lips. The only color in her face was her cheeks, which were rosy. I did not know if it was a natural tint, the cold, or perhaps she was nervous to meet me.
“You’re human,” I said, surprised.
Her blush deepened, and she bowed her head, turning the movement into a curtsy.
“Yes,” she said. “King Adrian has appointed me as your lady-in-waiting. He also advised you would want a bath.”
My eyes shifted to see a set of servants behind her holding a large copper tub.
“Yes, thank you,” I said, stepping aside.
Violeta hesitated, probably at my expression of gratitude, but she entered the room, instructing the servants to place the tub before the fire.
“Not there,” I said.
Violeta and the servants halted, staring at me in surprise.
“Can you place it near the window,” I said, and because I felt like I needed to offer an explanation for why, I added, “I’d like to look at the view while I bathe.”
I did not even know what was outside these leaded windows, but anything was better than being near fire.
Violeta did not hesitate. “Of course, my queen,” she said.
After a few trips back and forth by the servants, the tub was full of steaming water.
I shed my clothes and entered the bath, groaning with relief as I relaxed against the edge and closed my eyes. After a moment, a sensual and rich scent filled the air. I looked at Violeta, who froze, arm suspended over the water as she dropped something into my water.
“What is that?” I asked.
“J-jasmine,” she answered. “Lady Ana Maria said it would relax you. I’m sorry. I should have asked—”