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Vas moved by me, going to the tub and twisting one nob, then another. Hot, steaming water began to pour from the tap and I wanted to fall to my knees like I was witnessing a miracle. I swear I almost teared up.
Vas examined some of the small glass bottles on the shelf, then opened one up and poured some into the water. A subtle lavender scent hit my nose while bubbles formed. When the tub was full he turned off the tap and glanced at me. “You can wash first, but don’t take too long. I’ll find us something to wear to the ball.”
With that, he left. I stood there for a prolonged moment, just staring at the sudsy water as though hypnotised. Then I came to my senses and quickly stripped out of my clothes. The only personal possessions I had on me were my watch and the sepial dagger. I placed both on a shelf before climbing into the wonderfully warm bath. I submerged my entire body under the water, rubbing the suds over my skin to wash away the dirt and soot. My muscles instantly relaxed. A steamy haze fell over my vision as I lay back, allowing myself a few moments to enjoy the soak.
This was the kind of luxury I was used to back home. It was the kind of luxury I liked having in my life, and yet, I couldn’t help thinking of the road ahead. If I had any sense at all I’d determine never to return to the Blaze after tonight, but I just couldn’t stop thinking of all those people, the endless suffering.
My mind drifted to Jalio and the others who’d escaped with him. Had they been apprehended yet, or were they still free? What did they plan to do now that they were out of the mine? Would they kill the Dicteps and start a revolution, or would they leave Treyu and start new lives elsewhere?
From how Jalio spoke, I imagined it would be the former. He wanted to change things in this city, and if it meant people were no longer trapped to work in the mines then I assumed it would be for the better.
Focusing back on the present I studied the bottles of soap and shampoo that lined a small shelf near the tub. I reached out and grabbed a few, giving them a sniff before deciding which ones I’d use to wash my hair and body. They all smelled sublime. Whoever lived in this house had good taste, even if they were ruthless, demonic bourgeoisie.
I was so busy luxuriating that I didn’t hear someone knocking on the door until it opened and Vas stepped in. I stilled, so surrounded by steam and bubbles that he thankfully couldn’t see much of my body.
“I’m not done yet,” I told him, my voice unsteady.
“I was knocking on the door and you didn’t answer. I thought you’d fallen in and drowned.”
I narrowed my gaze. “Well, as you can see I’m quite all right. And I need a few more minutes, so please—"
“No, time for that,” he said and my eyes bugged when he began to strip.
“W-what are you doing?”
“I’ve shared my sleeping chamber with you for the last few nights. Surely, you won’t object to sharing a bath. It will save us some time.”
I lifted a wet, sudsy finger. “Sharing a bed and sharing a bath are two very different things, Vas. For crying out loud, I’m naked in here!”
His lips twitched like he was suppressing a grin. “Don’t worry. I’ll be naked, too.”
“Vas! That’s not—” Before I could finish the sentence he was almost nude. As soon as he was shirtless and reaching for his pants I averted my gaze. I sensed his satisfaction at my embarrassment as he climbed into the tub, thankfully situating himself on the side farthest from me. I chanced a peek and his bottom half was obscured beneath the water. His top half, however, was bare and distractingly muscular. His attention was on the taps, which were far more intricate than the ones in my dimension. Suddenly, new water flowed in. I could feel the old water being suctioned out but the level didn’t go down at all.
“What kind of technology is this?” I asked, impressed.
“It’s a water refreshing system. Only the rich have it,” Vas replied, casually moving through the water and stealing some of the bottles of shampoo and soap I’d used. I flushed at him choosing the same ones as me when there were at least a dozen other options.
I stilled when he came near me, then relaxed again when he retreated to his side of the tub. I should leave. I’d finished washing but I was frozen in place, half because if I climbed out Vas would see me naked, and half because…well, I wasn’t entirely sure what the other half was. Masochism? Morbid curiosity?
