Accommodating host

Yvette’s estate is considerably more lavish than the drab council building they left behind. The guards are shown the way to the barracks building where they will be housed, as Yvette shows the way into the main building. She leads Kael and Petra through the front door, into a spacious atrium, tastefully decorated. She turns to them with a smile.

“Would you two like some food? Or would you prefer to simply relax for the evening?”

Kael smiles in return. “I think I would be best served to wash the road dirt off, if that’s possible.”

Yvette laughs. “Of course! The bathroom is right beside the room you’ll be staying in. Let me show you the way.”

The three of them head up a set of stairs, and down a hall. Yvette shows them the bedrooms, both quite luxurious, and then the bathroom. She turns to Kael, smiling still. “And perhaps we could pick up where our last conversation left off? If you’re still interested, that is…”

Kael laughs. “Ahh, the ‘diplomacy’, as Ria so delicately described it. Let’s just say that I was encouraged to make every effort to improve relations.”

He pauses, glancing at Petra. “Although, I really should make sure you’re okay with it, Petra.”

Petra is actually stifling a grin. “Queen Ria spoke to Petra. Petra approves.”

She looks over at Yvette, who seems a bit confused, and winks. “Petra will wait her turn.”

Yvette looks between the two of them. “I thought she was your champion, not…something else. Are you saying…”

Kael nods. “It’s a recent thing, but yes. Petra is family as well.”

Yvette seems surprised now, but recovers quickly, a smile returning to her face. “Well, in that case, I’m glad to have the approval.”

Something smolders in her eyes suddenly as she places a delicate hand on Kael’s chest. “How about you get cleaned up, and then we can discuss some…diplomacy.”

With that, she turns to leave, her eyes lingering on Kael for a moment as she goes into another room down the hall. Petra, smiling, bows to Kael. “Petra will be in Petra’s room, my king.”

Kael nods, and heads inside the bathroom. As he draws the bath (magically heated water is always convenient), he strips down, stretching muscles stiffened from the trip. The tub is huge, almost a pool, and the water is the perfect temperature as he steps in, relaxing with a sigh as he sits. It’s only a few minutes, however, before he hears a knock on the door.

“Yes?”

The door swings open, and Kael is greeted by a sight that is both surprising and welcome.

It’s Yvette, wearing nothing but a towel. She closes the door as she steps inside, a somewhat nervous smile on her face. Her usual confidence seems to be gone, replaced with a slight shyness that Kael finds endearing. Nevertheless, she walks towards the bath, holding the towel around her impressive chest.

“I thought maybe you would like some company. There is a lot to scrub, after all…”

Kael chuckles. “Of course. Plenty of room, you’re welcome to join me.”