The morning hung heavy between us.I’d kept my mouth shut while she dressed me, trapping every bitter word behind my lips.She stole glances at my face in the mirror, each look deepening lines of worry across her brow.
Yet, she never pressed.Never demanded explanations I couldn’t give.
The guilt of my silence sat heavy in my chest.She deserved better than my locked-away pain.None of this was her fault.
As we began our walk toward the library, I pushed away the festering dread and linked her arm with mine.
“I’m sorry, Mira,” I said, squeezing her tightly.“I just didn’t feel too good this morning.”
Her face transformed, worry melting into something softer.
“Don’t apologise, Elira.I understand.”Her hand covered mine, squeezing back.“But you know I’m here for you.You can tell me anything.”
My heart sunk.Icouldn’t.
Not this.
I forced my lips into what I hoped passed for a smile and bumped my forehead against her temple, breathing in the familiar scent of jasmine in her hair.
“So,” I said, pulling back, “are there any other places within the palace I haven’t seen yet?”
Mira’s eyes lit up.“Oh, there’s so much more to explore.”She bit down on her lip, a grin threatening to split her face.“One place in particular—”
She giggled high and bright, then slapped her free hand over her mouth like she could stuff it back in.
I grabbed her arm, shaking it with mock desperation.“Tell me!Where?”
She bounced on her toes.“The bathing house.”
“That’s it?Mira, that’s possibly the most boring—”
“It’s not boring!”she shrieked, then glanced around to make sure no one heard her.
We emerged onto the walkway, the warm sunlight painting everything golden.The breeze caught our hair, sending my dark waves dancing with her pale strands.
I dragged her to the railing, our backs to the sprawling palace grounds.“Explain.Now.With details.”
“It’s absolutely breathtaking.This enormous sunken pool—no, that’s not right.It’s like…” she threw her arms out wide, nearly smacking a passerby, “like a small lake!Inside!With marble steps and—”
“How big exactly are we talking?”I interrupted, enjoying the way she flailed, trying to capture something beyond words.
“Huge!”She paused, a wicked gleam in her eyes.“Well, that’s not the best part.”
“I’m listening.”
“The water is perfect.Not too hot, not too cold, with these oils that make your skin feel like silk and scents that make you forget your own name.”She gestured wildly again, painting pictures in the air.“But the real attraction…”
She trailed off, eyebrows waggling.“The people.”
“What about the people?”I asked, unable to contain my own amusement.
“It’s not private, and um,well…” She dropped her voice to a whisper.“Clothing is optional.Actually, it’s more than optional.It’s actively discouraged.”
A laugh exploded out of me, so loud it scattered a flock of birds.Several people turned to stare, their expressions ranging from curious to confused.
“You’re telling me…” I panted between fits of laughter, “there’s a giant, naked person soup just sitting in this palace and nobody thought to mention it?”
“Naked person soup!”Mira wheezed, slapping my arm.“That’s exactly what it is!”
