Page 61 of A Sea So Cruel
Linnea nodded. She didn’t exactly enjoy sharing her space with anyone besides Asta anyway.
“Nothing personal,” Liva stated. “I like my privacy.”
Linnea didn’t doubt that one bit. The sea dragon probably had certain needs to fulfill while they were on a break. She knew that sirens needed to ingest blood, so she assumed sea dragons had similar needs.
The group separated, Niklas and Gyrial heading for the pub under the inn while the other three headed upstairs to get settled into their rooms.
Chapter 36
Alternate Chapter Available
Linnea took a long, searing bath and her muscles unknotted instantly. Heat used to bother her because of her last encounter with her mother, but after years of practice, she could take hot baths again. The sting of warmth on her skin still bothered her sometimes, but that’s what permanent scarring from hot coals being shoved down the back of your dress will do to you. They never fully heal.
Sometimes she could still hear her mother’s cold laughter, matching the frigid weather of the day she gained her largest scars. Linnea had made the mistake of mentioning it was a tad chilly in the house that morning, which was when her mother formulated the plan to help her “appreciate” the heat that was provided.
What’s wrong, dear? I thought you were cold.
Linnea clawed her way out of her downward spiral—working to focus on how wonderful the warmth felt on her aching muscles and not the terrible memories that heat held—and finished her bath.
Halsten was right—as long as she stretched when she got out, she would feel much better. She stepped out and wrapped herself in a towel, digging through her saddlebag for something comfortable to wear. She had been stuck in riding pants and cotton puffy shirts for days now.
Linnea pulled out a multi-layered gossamer nightgown in her favorite color, slate blue. She was not a confident woman, but she always loved how the color accentuated her gray eyes and auburn hair. She stood in the mirror and tied up the decorative strings that sat below her collarbones, leaving a keyhole effect on her chest, and her shoulders exposed.
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.
