Chapter 3: His Kindness?

Veya’s POV

The scent of blood still clung to my skin when I woke, submerged in a pool that wasn’t mine. Petals floated thick across the water’s surface, hiding most of it from view.

What happened last night?

Fragments came back in a haze: my scream and then darkness.

I shifted toward the edge of the pool, intent on getting out and finding clothes or at least a towel.

“Stop right there.” The sharp voice froze me. A middle-aged woman stood in the doorway, carrying a small wicker basket filled with glass bottles. “Get back in the water. Now!”

“Who—”

“Don’t ask questions.” Her tone was cold as she stepped closer. “I am the head servant of the Southern Pavilion. My name is Liora.”

I obeyed. Drawing in a shallow breath, I slipped back, letting the petals drift over my chest again. She approached without a single hint of warmth.

She dipped her hand into the water, stirring it slowly before lifting her gaze to me. “Do you know who brought you here?”

I shook my head.

“Last night, King Rael carried your unconscious body into a bed of silk. He was the one who lifted you from it and placed you in this flower pool. He told us to leave you here until you woke up like you were a newborn.”

The water felt a degree hotter just from the sound of those words. The image of the King lifting me in his arms made my skin burn with shame.

“So… he brought me here?” I whispered.

“Yes. Which means don’t cause trouble. The King has no patience for disobedient slaves.” Liora set the bottles on the pool’s edge and rolled up her sleeves. “Now, it’s time to make you presentable.”

Warmth spread from my scalp to my toes as she poured a fragrant liquid over my hair. She combed through my hair and scrubbed my skin with a foaming concoction that stung where bruises and cuts lingered.

“What is this?”

“Healing salve and skin softener. You reek of blood from last night,” she said flatly. “And the king does not like his slaves smelling foul.”

I was too stunned to protest.

After a while, she helped me out of the pool and led me toward the other side of the chamber. She took a dry cloth and patted me down before pointing toward a gown hanging behind an ornately carved wooden screen.

“Put that on.” Liora helped me into the dress, then gathered my hair into her hands.

In the corner, a tall, gold-framed mirror stood among potted plants, catching my reflection.

“I look like someone else.” My green eyes no longer looked as dull as before. And my skin was clean, though shadows of bruises still clung around my shoulders.

Liora twisted my long brown hair into a simple tie. The pale gray silk gown hugged my frame, revealing curves I’d kept hidden under worn fabric.

Only when I followed her out did I realize that the bathing chamber had been part of a lavish bedroom. A high ceiling, tall windows overlooking a garden, and a massive canopied bed draped in silk.

I stopped when I heard the scrape of a chair.

The King sat in an armchair near the armoire, one hand propped under his chin. Those golden eyes swept over me from head to toe.

“I didn’t have Liora dress you out of kindness.” His gaze pinned me in place, as though searching for a fracture to break. “I want to see the real face of the one bold enough to stir my savage side.”

The king rose, crossing the space toward me with measured steps. I took a step back, but he stopped just close enough to make the air feel thin.

His hand lifted, fingers brushing beneath my chin. “Sometimes a touch tames the monster better than a scream.”

I shivered, not from fear, but from the dawning understanding. The King didn’t want my submission out of respect. He wanted his power acknowledged by something deeper than fear.

“I…” I swallowed hard. “I promise to obey your commands.”

It wasn’t a lie. I couldn’t fight him.

“Good,” he said, turning away. “Follow me.”