Chapter 23

“Stop.” The word was said in a rush and with such an authoritative tone that it even surprised Annalise. 

Elsabeth froze, one hand outstretched towards the dress. “Is everything okay, Your Highness?” 

“My blood. There’s so much of it. You’re not wearing gloves.” Annalise had been so distracted by Elsabeth’s chatter and her own fatigue from the events of the past days that she’d not registered the maid’s bare hands, and her heart rate skyrocketed at her carelessness. The fear that Elsabeth, who’d been so nice and helpful, would be harmed by the dried blood was replaced by a mental image of the three bandits screaming and writhing on the ground the night before. Annalise suddenly found it difficult to breathe, as if a giant hand squeezed her chest. 

Elsabeth withdrew her hand but remained crouched, her voice sounding far away and as if it was under water. “Is your dried blood also toxic, Your Highness? Shall I inform our laundress of a special way to wash your clothes?” 

Annalise opened and shut her mouth like a gaping fish. She grabbed the back of a nearby chair to steady herself as her knees went wobbly, still struggling to breathe. 

“Your Highness, are you okay? Are you sick? Do I need to get a healer?”  

“No, I’m fine, just a little shocked from the trip. Give me a moment, please,” Annalise gasped, holding up a hand in entreaty. It took another minute, but once she’d finally controlled her breathing and her legs didn’t feel as weak as a newborn foal, she straightened and dusted imaginary lint off her undergarments to give herself something to do that didn’t involve making eye contact with a very concerned-looking Elsabeth. “As far as I know, my dried blood in small amounts has never caused anyone harm, but there’s so much…”

Elsabeth frowned at the article of clothing in question that lay in a crumpled heap on the floor. Using the apron tied around her waist, she lifted it up by its shoulder seams. “Do you want me to launder it? Our seamstresses are very skilled, but it is quite…used.”

Annalise eyed the formerly beautiful traveling dress that was now stained and torn beyond recognition. “No, you’re right; that won’t be necessary. You can dispose of it as you see fit. I believe my maid packed another for me in Captain Kierson’s bag.” 

“And your underthings? Do you need my help with them or with bathing?” 

“They’re easy enough to remove on my own, and I don’t require any other assistance at this time, but thank you, Elsabeth.” 

“I understand, Your Highness. In that case, while you get yourself cleaned and relax, I’ll go track down your captain.” Elsabeth curtsied before gathering the soiled clothes and leaving the bathroom. 

Annalise knelt at the side of the bronze tub and washed her hair first, then settled into her bath. The hot water felt delightful on her skin, and as she breathed in the warmth from the steam wafting around her, the constricting sensation around her chest loosened. 

By the time she’d scrubbed herself clean and her muscles had fully relaxed, there was a knock at the bathroom door. “Princess Annalise, it took some doing, but I was able to track down Captain Kierson. He’s in the infirmary but had his pack with him. May I come in?” Elsabeth asked through the door.

Annalise sat up in the bath and reached for a towel, the now-lukewarm water sloshing around her in her haste. “Yes, yes, please do. How is Captain Kierson? You said he was in the infirmary?” 

“Yes, Your Highness. I spoke to the head healer as I thought you might have questions, and she fears he hurt himself terribly when his horse fell on him. She was surprised that he was able to walk, let alone come this far, as apparently he has several nasty bruises and she’s worried his internal injuries are more extensive than he lets on. But here, I’ve brought your things. The captain insisted I take his entire pack so I wouldn’t have to unpack your undergarments in the infirmary and carry them through the castle. Not that I would have, mind you. We have plenty of baskets and blankets.” 

“That stubborn mule. He always thinks he knows best,” Annalise said under her breath. 

Elsabeth chuckled good-naturedly as she set out Annalise’s clothes—a long-sleeved charcoal gray dress, tan belt, and light beige undergarments. “That’s a man for you. I always say that if they actually knew half of what they thought they did, they’d let us women be in charge more often. I’m sure our Lady Telimary, Goddess bless her soul, agrees with me, although you’d never hear her say it.” 

“Captain Padrin mentioned her. It sounds like she rules this area all by herself?” Annalise asked as she finished drying herself and started on her undergarments. 

“Oh yes, Lady Telimary handles everything quite well all on her own. Well, she is married, but her husband, Lord Telimary, cares more for the crops and the hunt than for matters of state. On any given day, you’re most likely to find him in the fields with dirt under his nails and her in the Great Hall receiving guests. Not that he’s simple, or anything like that, mind you, he married into the family and knows his place as such, and we’re all the better for it. It’s because of his advancements that we don’t have to trade as much, and that makes everything easier, if you get my drift.” Elsabeth tittered as she laced up Annalise’s dress. “But listen to me prattling on; you’d think my head was filled with wool to be telling you all these useless things.” 

“I appreciate all the information, but to be honest, I am rather surprised at how open you’ve been with me,” Annalise said. 

“Yes, well, as my old pa used to say, sometimes you’ve got to give a little to get a little. There you go, Your Highness, all nice and dressed. Would you like me to help you with your hair? I’m afraid I probably don’t know any of the new fancy styles, but I can braid as well as the next maidservant, and I know my way around a box of hairpins.” 

“No, no, that’s quite all right. I can handle it.” 

“Oh, of course, your curse. Is your hair part of it? Would you like me to get you a hairnet or a snood? We have some very nice jeweled ones made of silver and gold.” 

Annalise paused, considering the offer. No one had ever asked if she wanted something for her hair, and the thought that despite all her precautions she’d never even contemplated the use of a stylish hairnet or a hat, rankled. “No, my hair has never caused a problem, but thank you.” 

“If it’s not part of the curse, then why…” Elsabeth trailed off and shut her mouth. “I understand, Your Highness,” she said, sounding very much like she didn’t understand at all.

Elsabeth’s sudden change of mood worried Annalise that she’d accidentally offended her. “Thank you, Elsabeth, for your kindness. I know that caring for a cursed princess probably wasn’t something you ever expected to do, but I appreciate the help. Talking with you has been quite nice,” she rushed to say, and was a little surprised that she meant it despite how lopsided the conversation had been. 

“Pish posh, don’t think of it, Your Highness. Cursed or not, you’re not even as difficult as my brothers’ twins.” Elsabeth shuddered and shook her head. “I love my nephews dearly, but those boys are right terrors. They just turned three and are technically chamber-pot trained, but their aim is terrible, if you get my drift, and they tend to run around in the nude if you don’t catch them before they fully disrobe. I’ll take a deadly curse over wrangling those ragamuffins any day. At least I don’t have to worry about you trying to see if you can jump off the edge of the bath and onto the countertop without touching the floor.”

As Annalise worked on her hair, Elsabeth told her several more stories about her nephews, and the two of them chuckled at the mental image of the young boy’s escapades. Instead of twisting her hair up into a more fashionable crown or pinning it away from her face, Annalise opted to let her single braid hang down her back. 

“How do I look?” She asked Elsabeth. Strangely, in the brief time they’d spent together, the older woman’s opinion meant quite a lot to her, and as she waited for the response she toyed with the ribbon of her half-broken mask. 

Elsabeth looked Annalise up and down and smiled. A ray of winter sun shining through the window behind Annalise fell on Elsabeth’s face. “You’re beautiful, Your Highness. You do your station, your country, and your family proud.” The older woman blinked rapidly before turning away to wipe at her eyes. “Now, if you’re ready, I believe Lady Telimary is expecting you in the throne room.” 

“Throne room?” Annalise echoed. She’d assumed that the lady of the keep was part of one of the upper houses in Rhinnea.  

“Yes, Your Highness. Lady Telimary is the chief and monarch of Murana, and she is very much looking forward to meeting you.