Sweeter Tease (Sequel To Sweet Tease)

Chapter Twenty-Two

{Guinevere's Point of View}

Keirstan hadn't been by to see me in a few days.  Which normally wasn't an issue, but this time around, it was bothering me quite a bit more than normal.  I wasn't actually sure why, but I was hoping she'd be able to tell me when she finally showed up.  Amelia had been spending more time with me in her place.  I didn't care for the woman, but I also knew that even if she made me uncomfortable, I'd still have to deal with her.

Sighing softly, I rubbed the bridge of my nose.  It wasn't often that I got a headache, so when I did, it was particularly unpleasant.  I groaned when Amelia flipped the light on in my room and stood in front of me.

"You know Gideon had big plans for us today, right?"

I sighed, knowing where this was going already.  Amelia hated when she didn't get to spend any time fawning over our very own Gideon, but when I wasn't feeling well, she made it her own personal mission to make everyone just as miserable as she was.

"Amelia, I never said we couldn't go.  Stop twisting my words, please.'

I had the bridge of my nose pinched with my eyes closed, so I didn't see her own nostrils flair in her anger.  She placed her hands on her hips and scoffed.

"I'm going to run you a bath.  I hope it helps with your headache."

Another sigh broke from my lips as she stomped off to my private bathroom to set up the bath.  I didn't hear anything more from her until she stomped back into the room.

"Bath's ready.  Come on."

I whimpered softly as I stood and made my way to the bathroom.  I could already tell that the water was way too hot, but it would take my headache away.  Amelia was supposed to help with all of my bathing and some of the training portions of the ritual, but when she didn't, it didn't bother me.  I pulled my dress off and let it fall to the floor, stepping to the tub and climbing in.  My skin was on fire the deeper I went into the water, but I didn't stop until the water was at my shoulders.

"While this is too hot, thank you so much for running a bath."

I closed my eyes while she grunted an answer and the door shut behind her.  I let my mind wander while my body and muscles relaxed.  Images of what my life would have been like if my parents had kept me bounced around in my head.  We would have been close, I can imagine.  I'd have to remember to ask Keirstan the next time I saw her what my real parents like, and if I looked like them.  Maybe she could tell me why my parents never wanted me.

A soft whimper broke from me as I thought about reasons my parents didn't want me.  Tears rolled down my face, and I pulled my knees up to my chest, hiding my face in my knees.  I was getting my hopes up, and that wasn't fair to me.  I cried for a little longer and then washed my face.  Screw the plans I had had with Gideon today.  I was going to go back to bed and not worry about the rest of the night.  With a sigh, I finished bathing and got out to dry off.

I stretched as I made my way back to my bed.  I ignored Amelia as she started talking to me, instead crawling right back into bed.

"I'm done with today, Amelia.  You're free to go."

I covered myself up and snuggled into my bedding.  I was just about sleep when my bedroom door opened.  Popping my head up, I was shocked when none other than Keirstan stepped in and shut the door quietly behind her.  I gasped when her reddish eyes stared at me in the dark.  I could smell a wildness to her, almost as if she were a feral animal, but she continued to stare at me.

"I had to leave the compound for a few days, but I'm back now."