26
Chapter 26
Ihardly remembered who I was when I woke. Sitting up, a mess of drool and tangles, I took in the strange chamber.
By Callesis’s luck, had I gained a fortune while I slept? Luxurious silk sheets caressed my skin, beneath a canopy of silver. Gorgeous dark wood furniture rested on tile decorated with carvings of Psythos, the goddess of emotions.
Everything rushed back to me in a flood. Tangled in the sheets, I rolled onto the floor, taking half the bed with me.
Someone knocked, and I looked up from my pile of fabric like a wild-eyed animal. Seraphim’s voice carried through the thick oak door. “Baths are ready. Don’t miss out.”
“I’m coming,” I shouted, scrambling to my feet and adjusting my dress to actually cover my indecency.
I flew outside and found Seraphim waiting for me in a thin white robe. “There you are.” She smiled. “Come. I have something special in mind.” Turning around, she beckoned for me to follow.
Padding down the hall after her, I admired the stunning home. Though such opulence was to be expected of a city lord.
Everything was silver. Marble tiles veined with silver threads, silver-painted walls, and delicate silver decorations lined up along dark-wood tables. Several pieces of fine porcelain tea potsand ornate vases caught my eye, and I bumped into Seraphim’s back as I stared in awe.
Chuckling, she ushered me through a door into a glorious bathroom, complete with two enormous baths, separated by a beautiful, carved-wood folding wall.
“In Cynthus,” Seraphim pushed me toward the bath. “We once worshiped a goddess of water. The sea was sacred. To express our deepest trust, our most hidden vulnerabilities, we bathed together. That tradition has lived on.”
“Ah,” I nodded, vaguely remembering someone mentioning the ‘Cynthuns’ perverted baths.’
Shrugging off her robe, Seraphim gently lowered herself into the bath. I stared rudely at her body, counting the scars crisscrossing her abdomen, arms, and legs. Beautiful tattoos in black ink traced up her thighs and down her arms, patterned her breasts and back. Covered at all times by a coat, Seraphim had never displayed them to me.
‘Our most hidden vulnerabilities.’ Realizing the depth of the gesture, I undressed and lowered myself into the water, sighing as the warmth enveloped me, stealing away the aches of the previous day.
“Don’t panic,” Seraphim leaned forward, wearing a wicked smile. “But Cynthuns do not consider bathing to be sexual.”
“Why would I panic?” I asked as the door flew open.
Percy strode through, utterly unbothered by our presence. “Glorious baths.” He groaned. “Not as glorious as that other bathhouse, admittedly.” He glanced at me. “Should I move the divider for you? Shield you from the boys?”
“If you would.” I squeaked.
He snickered. “It’s considered rude to diminish a bath with lewd thoughts, Aethra.”
“I’m not diminishing it, I just. . .” I trailed off. What did I care if they saw my tits? Eleos already had. “Never mind. I’m fine.”
“That’s the spirit.” Percy grinned, dipping behind the folding wall. A white shirt flew over it, draping over both sides, and a loud splash followed.
The display that followed was a sight to behold. The door opened again, and Eleos steered Seth through, mouth twisted in a grimace. Seth tried to look in my direction, but Eleos shoved him behind the folding wall.
Seraphim chortled. “Everything alright, Eleos?”
“Just controlling the lecher,” Eleos said calmly.
Seth tried to defend himself. “I was only joking.”
“Mhm.” Eleos sounded unamused. His tone changed to lighthearted curiosity. “What isthat, Percy?”
“Oh, you haven’t seen it?” Seth asked. I heard him undressing, and found myself envisioning what he might look like naked.
No lewd thoughts. Dipping my head in the water, I regained my purity.
“Oh, not this again,” Percy lamented.
