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My playful mood is suddenly soured by my own harsh reality.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” she adds with a snark.

We walk the rest of the way in silence until I hear the inviting sound of hissing water and know we are close. I could use a shower myself, a cold one to start. Then a hot one. My body is exhausted; I’m moving on autopilot because my mind is too occupied fighting itself from the inside out.

The minute we descend the last of the stairs, the heat hits us. Then the steam.

“Here we are, Princess.” I release her arm.

“What is this place?” She looks around, and I try to imagine seeing it for the first time in her eyes.

“We call it the bathhouse. It’s like a shower from your realm. We have some soaking tubs too, but it takes longer to prepare, and we don’t have that luxury today.” But damn if I don’t wish we did. I try not to think about how by this time next week, she will be gone if all goes according to plan.

“How is this possible?” Her eyes widen in awe at the gleaming granite carved into intricate designs depicting the Blakk Forest.

“Out of everything you’ve encountered after being brought here against your will through a magic mirror portal, the plumbing is what you’re most shocked at?”

“Well, when you put it that way.” She looks down and fidgets. “I probably seem pathetic.”

“No, Princess.” I lift her face up to mine by placing my fingers under her chin. “Brave. I think you’re incredibly brave.” And I mean it. Every word.

Stepping back, I continue explaining how it all works.

“Instead of traditional plumbing, water flows from a nearby spring, fed from the ice from the mountains surrounding the castle. It filters down and is heated on dragon stones or fire rocks, as some call them.”

“Dragon… as in real dragons?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. This isn’t Game of Thrones. We don’t have dragons.”

“Oh.” She pulls her bottom lip into her mouth, fighting back a smile.

“Fire fairies.” I wink. “They heat the stones.”

She can’t tell if I’m joking or not. Better to not tell her about all the things that go bump in the night around here just yet. I’m sure she’s had more than enough to process from her time in captivity so far.

Thanks to you. I remind myself.

“Bathroom is right around here. I’ll wait.” I gesture to a wooden door to our left.

“Thanks.” She eyes me suspiciously.

While she’s in the bathroom, I secure the bathhouse, making sure no one else is here.

“So, Game of Thrones? I didn’t realize you knew pop culture references.” she comments once she returns and I smile at her curiosity.

“I’ve spent my fair share on the other side or at least studying it.” I shrug, leading her deeper past the dressing rooms and into the innermost area, made up of divided stone stalls.

“I see. So, you’re, hmmmm… a Lannister, then?”

“Wow. You wound me.” My right hand dramatically covers my heart at being labeled the villain, even knowing I can never be the hero. “I always felt more like a Jon Snow myself.”

“Well, you got the bastard part right.” She smiles. A real, radiant smile, and its warmth cracks my cold, dark heart wide open.

“Over here, Princess.” I point to a large, round stone stall in the center of the room. “Time to undress.”

“I will not!” She turns, back to me, those cheeks flushed as ever.

“I’ll be right on the other side. Clean wraps—or towels—have been set out for you on the perch there, along with some soaps… and stuff.”