Page 102 of A Sea So Cruel
Her stomach rumbled and she panicked. In her uncomfortable state, her entire focus was on taking a hot bath. She had completely forgotten to go down to eat before she got into her night clothes. Well, she was too tired now, so she would just have to indulge in a large breakfast. She had an apple and a handful of grains in her saddlebag that would hold her over.
She stretched first before her muscles had the opportunity to tighten again. First, standing with a leg on her bed, then she took to the floor and stretched each leg until she could comfortably wrap her palms around the bottoms of her feet again. Lack of body fat growing up had made her flexible,since stretching was the only form of exercise she could endure without becoming winded.
Linnea was about to get up and retrieve the apple from her bag when there was a soft knock at her door.
“Who is it?” she asked through the thick oak door.
“Halsten. Can I come in?”
“I’m not decent. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“I insist.”
Linnea let out a sigh, then glanced around the room for anything to cover herself with. She grabbed a scratchy blanket from the bed and wrapped it around herself before letting him in.
Halsten slipped into the room carrying a tray of food. “I noticed you never came down to eat. I know your legs hurt so I suspected you were protesting the stairway. I figured I would bring the food to you,” he said with a goofy smile.
Linnea couldn’t help to mirror his facial expression. “Thank you, that’s very kind.”
Linnea gestured to the small bistro table in the corner and Halsten placed the tray down. To her surprise, he sat himself in one of the chairs. She froze in her tracks, unsure what to do.
“I won’t bite, Little Flame. Come, sit with me.”
There was that nickname again. He must be jesting at her hair. That had to be it.
“I’m capable of eating by myself, Sir Halsten.”
He flinched at the formality but did not budge. She had hoped that would encourage him to leave.
Halsten smiled again, then gestured to the other chair. Linnea cautiously sat down, holding the blanket tight around her chest. She scooped a spoonful of stew with one hand and brought it to her mouth. It was delectable and she let out a soft moan. Halsten’s eyes widened as he watched her. She couldn’t help but notice his nostrils flaring.
He gestured toward her torso. “Why are you wearing a blanket cape?”
“I’m in my night clothes. It’s indecent for a man to see me in them.” Linnea gave him a puzzled look as if he should know that.
“Are they… see through?” He raised an eyebrow.
Linnea started. “Of course not! I would not own such scandalous attire!”
Halsten laughed a deep, real laugh. “Then why is it such a secret? Is it not the same as the dresses you usually wear, but less extravagant?”
Damn.He had her with that logic. She held a chunk of baguette in her free hand but hesitated bringing it to her mouth.
“Let go of the blanket, Linnea.”
She pulled it tighter. “No.”
Halsten pulled the tray to his side of the table. “Then I’ll just take this back.”
Linnea scoffed. “That’s mine!” She reached for the tray, but she had the chunk of bread in her hand so she couldn’t grip it.
He dove forward and bit off a large piece of her bread, his mouth now stuffed with it as he laughed.
Linnea gasped, pulling her bread hand back. “Fine!” she shouted as she let go of the blanket. It was making her itchy anyway.
The fabric bunched down at her waist, leaving the upper half of her nightgown exposed. Halsten’s eyes wandered up and down her torso multiple times before he slowly slid the tray back to her. There was an odd silence while she finished her stew and bread, but not awkward. When she was done, she dabbed her face with her napkin and stood up, leaving the blanket in the chair behind her. Her legs locked up and she winced.
“Did you stretch?” Halsten asked.
