THE CAGE (The Chosen Series #3)

CH11. ♙e3 ♟a5

"Pебенок, where in the world... Never mind, come, I've drawn a bath. Let's get you out of these clothes before you catch a chill." Damir leaves me with Maria, who practically drags my body into the bath, removing my clothes and berating me on my late-night adventures.

"Why would you go out there, Pебенок, and in the middle of the night of all times?"

I lean back in the tub and relax to Maria's fingers as she massages conditioner into my hair. I can't remember Máthair doing this, but Ciara used to tell me before she died that Máthair loved washing my hair and would spend hours combing and braiding it, causing ringlets to form when dry. Oтец had Ciara continue the tradition after she died, preferring my hair to look like a doll.

"What happened out there, Maria?" I reply, my eyes closed and body relaxed as she massages my scalp.

"Whatever do you mean, Pебенок?"

"Why does the Belle garden affect Alexander so much?"

Maria pauses in her administration, and I wait for a reply. I know something tragic occurred in the garden. I can feel it in the energies that surround it. I have my suspicions and should've confirmed them with Ciara, but my priorities were always elsewhere.

"That's something for the Master to tell you if and when he chooses to do so." I don't miss the slight reprimand in her voice and know that this is a subject she will not speak freely about.

Maria rinses out my hair, and the room becomes silent.

"He's gone again." I don't bother putting it into a question. Before returning with Damir, I knew his energy was no longer anywhere on the property.

"Yes, Pебенок, the Master had to go back to the city for business, but he will return soon." I feel numb again as Maria helps me out of the bath and dresses me in a clean nightgown before putting me to bed like a child, and I allow her to.

After she leaves, I lie on my pillow and open the bond again.

<Twice in one night. One would think you have a lady boner for me.>

I slowly blink and tell him what I should've told him in the clearing. <I've just finished my bleeding.>

<Shit, Trouble, you know what that means.>

<I do.> Since my first heat, I've been taking suppressants to avoid a reoccurrence, but I stopped them just before I arrived at Alexander's office.

<Seriously, Trouble, you need to tell him. You only have maybe a week before you could potentially go into heat.>

I sigh and wrap myself tighter into the covers. <We don't know if that will happen. It had never happened before, and it was the spell that triggered my first one.>

My only one.

<But it's different now, you're bonded, and I won't be there to help you like last time.> I can feel Shay's fear and frustration in his words. <Mind you, I would totally be there if you asked. You know I love a good snuggle.>

I smile at his words and close my eyes, <I do.>

*********************************************************

Except for Maria and Cook, the other occupants of the Manor seem to avoid me over the next few days. Even Damir, who usually is my companion, has gone to be with Alexander in the city, leaving me to my own devices.

It's the afternoon, I'm lonely, I'm bored, and I'm aching. Damn!

"Maria," I call out, walking through the even winding passages of the Manor in search of her. I open my senses and find her in the rose garden, her hands deep in the rich soil as she prunes and replants.