Chapter 20

Neera brushed Zavian's hair softly. His hair was long and silky. This was the second time she was doing this, but she was not any less scared than before. Her eyes peeked at the mirror and she saw his eyes were closed.

She glanced away, but then looked back at his reflection, this time longer. He looked calm, his breath even like he had fallen asleep.

Neera stared long before she continued to brush his hair. When she was done, she placed the brush on the table. He was still sleeping, and she did not know how to tell him she was done.

He was wearing a robe, which left some part of his chest exposed. As Neera looked at him, her eyes fell on his chest. She watched it rise and fall evenly, and gaze intent.

He was perfect. Utter perfection. Neera stood quietly by the side as she drank him in.

Suddenly, Zavian's eyes opened, and they instantly locked on hers. Neera jumped in reflex and she looked away from him, her heart banging against her chest.

This was the second time she was staring uncontrollably at him. What was wrong with her?

''I… I…'' Neera stuttered as she pointed at the brush on the table. Zavian glanced at the brush and then at her;

''I finished brushing your hair, your majesty. '' She finally found her breath and bowed.

Zavian did not reply, he just stood up and walked to the bed, and lay down.

Neera heaved a sigh of relief and turned around;

But that was when she realized he did not tell her where to sleep. Neera looked around the room. There were cushions, but they were too noble for her to sleep on, and she did not know what Zavian would do if he saw her laying on them in the morning.

She glanced at the door and wondered if she should retire to the maid's chambers, but that was risky. He was already mad at her. She could not dare go against him again.

Sighing, Neera looked at the floor where she stood. It was cold, but she did not have a choice. She was a maid, and in the king's chambers, that was her place. Neera breathed out as she lay on the floor and scooped herself up, hugging her legs.

There was a fine carpet on the floor but it was nearing winter, so it did little to stop the cold, but after some time, she got used to it. Neera trembled for some minutes before she finally succumbed to sleep.

…

Zavian woke up early the next morning. He had a meeting with the soldiers that morning and he also had to go into the villages. There were towns to visit before they returned to the castle and they had little to no time, else the soul eaters would make way to other cities.

Standing up, he had only taken a few steps when he noticed something curled up on the floor. Zavian frowned for some seconds before he spotted her long hair sprayed across the floor.

Walking towards her, he observed the figure on the ground. Her lips were turning blue, and she hugged her legs tightly. The ground was already cold and coupled with the window, which has been blown open by the wind, Neera looked like she was dipped in a bucket of ice.

Zavian remembered that he had not told her where to sleep and she must have feared to sleep on the cushion. He opened his lips to call her name, but he paused. After some thought, he bent down and gently picked her up from the ground.

She was freezing cold, and when her body felt his warmth, she melted into him. Neera unconsciously nestled her head in his chest, and for a moment Zavian froze.

His heart raced as he stared at the woman in his arms. It felt too real; like he was carrying his dead wife, and he could not help but get drawn to her.

He should put her down,

Zavian knew he should. That was the right thing to do, but he could not. He just stood there, staring at her, unflinching.

Finally, he blinked and looked away, gritting his teeth.

Looking around, his eyes fell on the couch, but on second thought, he turned towards the bed and placed her on it. Using the duvet, he covered her body.

Zavian stood beside her as he watched her sleep, her breath becoming even.

After some minutes, he turned around and walked away.

…

Neera stretched her hands and legs, her eyes still closed.

This was warm…

She thought as she nuzzled into the soft bedding. She last thing she remembered was falling asleep on the cold hard floor, so how was she on such soft and warm bedding?

She had not slept in such a cozy place in her entire life. Neera smiled in her sleep. This must be a dream, she thought. And if it was, she did not want to wake up.

After a few minutes, she frowned.

No, this was too real to be a dream. She could hear the chirping of birds by the windows, and the rich scent of the bedding filling her nostrils.

Neera frowned and touched the pillow she lay on, and she felt it; it was real!

In an instant, her eyes flung open, and she jumped out of the bed. Fear and trembling took over her when she realized where she was.

Her heart banged frantically against her chest, as she looked around the room, in search of the king, but he was not in the room.

She breathed out heavily as she stared at the bed in shock;

How did she get there?!

As though that was not enough for that morning, in ; front of her stood a few maids, staring at her wide-eyed and in utmost surprise.