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He pushes open the door to his bedroom, revealing the beautiful red and gold décor, and leads the way to the bathroom.
“I’m sure he’ll remind you,” I say.
“I don’t doubt that.”
A monster-sized white clawfoot tub sits against the wall to our left. It’s situated by the shower, which is done in red and black tile, and I watch as he turns on the water before plugging the drain. He checks the temperature several times to get it perfect, and grabs a bottle from a shelf by the toilet, dumping a glob of blue liquid into the bath water.
Instantly, bubbles erupt to life and race across the top of the water.
“You’re a dirty girl,” he says, tsking his tongue at me. “Make sure you use extra soap and soak for a while. I don’t know how easy that nesda root will come off your skin.”
He hands me a washcloth to bathe with, and I stare up at him for a long second, studying the details of his face and wishing he’d lean down and kiss me. But he doesn’t.
The nesda smell must be super unappealing.
That, or he’s changed his mind about me having him.
I half-hope he’ll linger in the bathroom and talk to me while I bathe—after all he’s seen me naked more than once already—but he slips out of the room to give me privacy and leaves me feeling a little disappointed. I peel off my clothes, dropping them in a smelly pile by the door, and step over into the tub.
Relaxing into the hot water, I blow a mound of bubbles away from my face and close my eyes while the tub fills inch by inch. When there’s enough water and more than enough bubbles, I twist all the knobs until the water stops running.
Suddenly the room is silent, aside from the waves I make getting comfortable again. I listen hard for Elio in his bedroom, but I don’t hear anything.
Maybe he went downstairs for something to eat.
Or maybe Azarius got here and they’re chatting somewhere.
I set to work scrubbing every inch of my skin. I wash my hair, eager to get rid of the putrid smell I’ve been wearing all day, and wash my body a second time for good measure.
My mind begins to wander while I scrub, reflecting on everything that happened earlier today. From waking up next to Azarius in his bed to soaring across the realm in Elio’s arms.
It all seems like a fever dream. But I’d happily relive it over and over.
Elio’s plan had worked out flawlessly. Almost a little too perfectly, but I attribute that to his careful planning and cautionary steps. I can’t thank him enough for everything he did for me, including risking his life and going behind Rafe’s back.
On that thought, I don’t think I’ve thanked him directly at all.
Damn it.
I decide to call for him. “Elio?” My voice reverberates off all the tile and marble in the bathroom.
“Yes?” he replies, his voice muffled through the wall.
“What are you doing?”
“Waiting on you to finish bathing.”
“Can you come here, please?”
I listen expectantly, waiting for an answer that doesn’t come.
Surely, he didn’t disappear that quickly.
“Elio?”
The bathroom door pops open, making me jump, and Elio leans inside. He’s shirtless and wearing the pants he’s been in all day.
“You called?”
