Free Bonds of Blood [Lords of the Expanse] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Honor James

personally,” he said. He knew his voice sounded angry, rather fitting considering how angry he really was, and knew that if he ever came face-to-face with the man, he’d be hard pressed not to snap his neck. “What else has he done, Xandra?” he asked, almost afraid of the answer but knowing he needed her to tell him.
    “Other than the beatings, the broken ribs, arm, fingers, and whippings”—she shrugged and sighed—“I believe the killing of my mother was the worst.” She looked into his eyes. “That was the same day I was given this”—she touched his hand over her ear and smiled wanly—“as a reminder of just who was the ruler of all that he surveyed.”
    “I’m sorry, Xandra,” he murmured. “I should not have pushed.” He withdrew his hand, letting it slide down to her neck once more. Unsure now, he nodded to a set of doors behind her. “If you’d like to have a real water bath, feel free. I know not if you have anything for bedwear.” He didn’t know if she’d come with luggage. He really should have checked into that. “But there is a robe on the back of the door.” He still didn’t know if she wanted him to remain or if she wanted to sleep this night alone, which was adding to his discomfort and awkwardness, though he was hopeful she couldn’t see that.
    “Don’t apologize for something that is not of your doing, Andries.” She looked toward the doors where the bath was and then back at him. “I have luggage. I have no idea where it is. If you send word to Diego, he can tell you.” He would likely tell them to take a flying leap. “Will you be here? After my bath that is, will you”—she felt uncertain now asking him—“will you stay?” She was flawed. He was perfect. Why would he want to stay?
    Nodding, he pulled her close for a small kiss. “I will find your luggage while you bathe and I will be here when you come out. If I’m not, I will be in the sitting room on this level,” he said, pulling back and stepping away from her. “If you cannot find anything you require, there are some shelves behind the door that may yield that which you seek. If it is not there, let me know, all right?” he asked her quietly.
    “I will.” She watched him retreating and moved toward the bathing room, turning at the last moment to enter. Once behind the frosted glass doors, she began to undress, laying the clothes out carefully before folding them and starting her bath. Completely nude, she began the bath and walked around the room, touching this and that as she waited for the water to fill the tub. The heat of the water caused a thick steam to fill the room, and as soon as it was almost full, she stepped into the water with a sigh of delight.
    She leaned back in the water and closed her eyes even as she draped a cloth over them, and with a sigh relaxed so fully she fell asleep.

Chapter Nine
     
    Opening the door, Andries took the luggage from the guards that had collected it from the suite Xandra had never even seen. Closing the door, he headed upstairs and paused in the bedroom. Setting down the bags, he looked to the bathroom and then at the time displayed on the wall by the bed. Xandra had been in the bath for almost a half hour. Frowning, he moved to the door and knocked “Xandra?” he called, easing the sliding door open and taking a look via the mirror to the tub. She had a cloth over her eyes and, from the even manner of her breathing, was sound asleep. “Xandra,” he called louder, hoping to wake her without having to embarrass her by going all the way in.
    It had been far too many years since she felt relaxed enough, safe enough, to fall into the deep sleep she was in currently, and unfortunately for Andries her body was refusing to allow her to wake at his gentle tone. Her finger twitched slightly in the still water around her, but other than that one small movement and the rise and fall of her chest, she simply slept on.
    Lips tightening at that small movement, Andries