Free Unicorn Bait by S.A. Hunter Page A

under his chin. Her arms flush against his chest. In alarm, she felt him lifted a leg and threw it over hers. She was now completely pinned against him. Her only consolation was that there were a layer of blankets separating them. She scowled at the turn of events. She still didn't want to wake him, but he'd made it impossible by becoming Mr. Grabby.
    A quiet knock sounded at the door. She craned her head around to look and contemplated whether to call the person in. Whoever it was knocked again. She felt Tavik tense. His arm tightened around her, and his head turned toward her.
    “Good morning,” he said. His voice had a trace of confusion.
    “Hi, do you mind letting me go so I can see who’s at the door?” He removed his arm and leg. If she could have seen his face, she thought she might find a blush on it. The thought that he could find their situation a little awkward made her smile. She crossed the room and opened the door to let Yula inside.
    “Lord Tavik, I am very glad to see you,” Yula said. He nodded. He’d sat up on the side of the bed. Naomi wondered about breakfast. Yula didn’t carry a tray.
    “Milady, if you’ll follow me, I will show you to your suite.” Naomi cocked an eyebrow at Tavik. She had a suite?
    He nodded and waved her out. “Enjoy your morning.”
    She couldn’t stop the smile that stretched across her face. He was keeping his promise. “You should get more sleep.”
    He shook his head. “I’m awake now, and the work won’t fade away. Go with Yula. I’ll see you later.”
    She nodded and fumbled a curtsy in her nightgown. She thought she heard a derisive snort come from behind the mask but didn’t pay it any attention. She had a suite to get to.
    Yula led her down a series of twisting hallways. She didn’t think she could retrace her steps even with bread crumbs. They arrived at the end of one and stopped. Yula swept the door open. She ventured into it in wonderment. Light streamed in from many windows, flowers were everywhere making the room smell wonderful, and off to the side, steaming the air around it, sat something that made her weak in the knees. It was a bathtub full of soapy water. She turned to Yula, and she knew an ear-to-ear smile split her face.
    “Would my lady like to bathe?” Yula asked with a teasing smile.
    “More than like. I’d marry that tub and have its children.” She began stripping off her clothes. She normally would’ve felt some inhibition around anyone while getting naked, but she felt so grimy and gross, and Yula had dressed her before, and she was another woman, and Naomi just did not care. She was taking a bath!
    She hummed while soaking in the bath. She had her head laid back, and her arms draped over the sides. She knew she was well past pruney but couldn’t bring herself to leave the warm, scented water. Yula coughed politely from behind her, and she tilted her head back to look at her. She had an armful of towels ready for her.
    “Can’t I stay in here all week?”
    “If my ladyship wishes to, she may, though I imagine Lord Tavik would be disappointed that you didn't venture further than the bath your first day in his castle.” She grinned at the idea. It would perturb him. She could imagine meeting him this way now: Bubbles spilling out of the tub, her hair loosely pinned up, perfumed soap scenting the air, flowers everywhere and pretty candles, oh and kittens tumbling over each other, while little song birds twittered from gilded cages, and he’d stand across from her in that devil mask, decked out in armor and weapons, caked with mud, or maybe drying blood. He would tell her he was going out to slaughter, maim, and pillage all in his path, and she would raise a bubble clad arm and wave goodbye and tell him to have fun killing lots of people and bring her back any chocolate that he might find.
    Her brow scrunched when she mentally stepped back from her daydream. While the frilliness was fun and laughable, Tavik’s side of the