Humming.
And I knew that I was going to Florlunia, the land of spring.
Chapter 34
The landin the south of Crystallese was softer.
It was a strange realization. The kingdom I knew was hard and fierce. Survival was a war waged every day, and most days I was sure I’d lose.
But in the south… it was… soft.
It still snowed, and it was still cold, but the world looked decidedlyfluffier. A word I never thought I’d have reason to use to describe terrain.
The snow fell silkier, and the wind blew quieter. The sky looked less imposing.
It was all very… soft. And fluffy. I hated it.
In the towns and villages I was used to, southerners were called soft. I never understood why.NowI knew.Nowit made sense.
“You look as if you disapprove,” Baxley commented in a town one evening. I’d forgotten its name, and I don’t think my companions knew it.
“It’s just different,” I told him. The people here looked relaxed.
“Larana found warm baths,” Nicco said as he joined us. “She said something about thawing out and wants to know if youwanted to join her?” He looked my way and quickly looked away again.
“Join her?”
Baxley grinned. “They’re communal,” he explained. “Large pools, really, they heat them from below.”
I knew I was frowning. “And everyone can use them?”
“You pay a fee for the pleasure,” Baxley clarified.
“For the pleasure of being in a pool of water with others?” I asked dubiously.
“Women and men are separated,” Nicco told me gruffly. “Communal baths are cheaper than asking for a bath in your room in an inn.”
“Warmer too,” Baxley added.
I thought about it. “I haven’t had a bath since Vorn took me to?—”
I stopped when I saw them both watching me intently at the mention of Vorn.
Shit.
“Anyway, I think I’ll go.” I went to stand, but his hand gripped my wrist and guided me back down to my seat.
“Since Vorn took you where?” Nicco asked softly.
“North.” I didn’t look at either of them. “There was a hot spring. I used it.”
“With him?”
What was that edge to his voice?
“No.” I glanced at Baxley, who seemed to be very interested in the fireplace at the other end of the common room. “I was alone.”
“So you werealonewhen you were with Vorn, and instead of runningawayto safety, you took abath?”
