I didn’t think I could argue with that. I could see why Valeriana would think this, though hatred was probably the wrong word. Self-importance, arrogance, narcissism might have fit better, but the girl was too young to know the difference.
“Well,” I said, “you don’t have to worry about her. You can stay here.”
“But you left.”
“I did.
I dealt with children enough to know that they could get clingy and that, if allowed, it wouldn’t be good for either of us.
“I was hungry,” I said, “and you were asleep. I’m certain you’re safe here, even if I have to go somewhere.” I was firm to make sure she understood I wouldn’t stay cooped up in here, even if it was her choice to do so.
She didn’t seem pleased with that, but didn’t argue further. I sat for a long moment, thinking I should check on Arabis at some point, then jumped off the bed and pulled the thick, golden cord the pixie had indicated. Within minutes, there was a tiny knock at the door.
“Good morning, Larina.” I smiled as the pixie fluttered into the room, traces of golden dust trailing behind her.
“All the sunshine to you.” She inclined her head. “How may I help you?”
“I’m sorry to bother you as there is plenty of food downstairs, but do you think you could get something for Valeriana to eat?”
“Of course, I will be back swiftly.” She was gone before I could even ask the girl what she would like to eat and before I could think to say thank you.
I turned to Valeriana. “While we wait, how about a bath?”
I was afraid she would refuse, as children are known to hate baths, but she nodded eagerly and rushed into the bathroom. When I got there, I found her naked, her dress discarded on the marble floor, and her wooden crown resting on top of it. The tub was already at work, filling itself with water that I knew would keep its perfect temperature until the end of the bath.
The girl climbed in and placed her fingers under the running stream, wiggling them, enjoying the feel of that precious liquid. I kneeled by the tub and grabbed a bar of jasmine-scented soap.
“I can wash your hair.” I held up the soap.
She nodded, and I scooped water into a lightweight wooden, seashell-shaped container.
Valeriana closed her eyes as I rubbed her scalp and worked the soap to build suds in her bushy green hair. When we were done, I went into the closet and fetched clean clothes for her. I chose a similar dress to the one she’d been wearing since I knew children appreciated familiarity. There hadn’t been children’s clothes in the closet last night, but they had appeared somehow. The dress was light green and had a fitted top with a skirt made of overlapping pieces of sheer fabric. It came down to her knees and complimented her skin tone perfectly.
When we walked out of the bathroom, we found a full breakfast set on the console table by the door, which Valeriana treated exactly the way she’d treated dinner last night: ravenously. She seemed content enough, and that set me at ease for the moment.
A knock came at the door, and I opened it thinking it was Larina, except Prince Kalyll, himself, stood on the other side. I stared up at him in surprise. He had changed and was wearing all black. His shoulder-length hair was pulled into a ponytail, and the scruff that had covered his jaw was gone. He looked devastatingly handsome, yet my fingers seemed to tingle with regret as if they longed to experience the now-gone roughness across the length of his jaw.
I tore my gaze from his face, suddenly concerned about the way my body seemed to respond to him.
As if you will ever touch the Seelie Prince like that.The male wasn’t only out of my league… he was out of my species, my way of life, my entire realm.Get a grip.
“Is something the matter?” I asked, without looking back up.
“I would like to ask for your help with something.”
“Of course, give me a moment.” I turned to Valeriana. “I need to go, but I’ll be back.”
“When?”
I glanced over my shoulder back at the prince. He shrugged and shook his head to indicate he had no idea. It wasn’t wise to leave Valeriana unattended for an indefinite amount of time—not after this morning.
“Um, would you be comfortable if Larina keeps your company?”
“I like pixies,” she said. “One of my best friends is a pixie. They’re good folk.”
“Good.” I pulled the cord again, and Larina appeared behind the prince. She hovered there, her head inclined respectfully.
“Larina,” I said, “I know you must have a thousand duties, but do you think you could stay with Valeriana while I go with the prince?”