“Your mother is settled in her bed,” Viala says, and guilt plagues Elowyn. She was so excited to see everything that she forgot all about her mother. At least Mother will have Viala as she recovers from her weakness once the heartbinding is complete. Viala’s a better caregiver than Elowyn could ever hope to be, anyway.
“Is there a reason you’re all congregating in Elowyn’s water closet?” Pera’s voice rings out from the other room.
“We’re all just watching Elowyn be Elowyn,” Tharios says affectionately.
“Ah. I see,” Pera says. “I’d like to speak with you all before we retire, if I may.”
They file into the sitting room of Elowyn’s chamber, and Pera lays his hands on Elowyn’s shoulders as he searches her eyes. “Are you all right? This day didn’t go at all as we anticipated.”
“I’m fine. I think. Though I suspect I overwhelmed the prince on the train.”
“You need to give him time to adjust, El. This arrangement has taken him by surprise.”
Elowyn nods. “I’ll try not to frighten him.”
“He did seem quite flustered when he fled the train,” Viala says with a laugh.
“I hope I didn’t scare him off completely.”
“As I said, give him time. I have little doubt he’ll grow to treasure you, as we all do.” Pera pulls Elowyn close andsqueezes her shoulders before turning to Cerian. “What of you? Your princess seemed quiet on the train ride.”
“She’s not my—” Cerian bites his tongue at Pera’s look and clears his throat. “We spoke some. She thought she needed my permission to bring her horse to Lostariel.”
“She’ll need time to adjust as well. Our customs differ from theirs.”
Cerian nods. “I seem to have promised her some sort of...bridal wardrobe when we arrive in Celesta.”
“A bridal wardrobe?” Elowyn frowns. “Is that a thing?”
Cerian shrugs. “She spoke of giving you the glut of human gowns her mother commissioned so she wouldn’t have to bring them to Lostariel.”
“Really? That was kind of her. Did you see how full their skirts are?” Elowyn spins. “Imagine how they must twirl on the dance floor.”
Cerian’s brows draw together. “Will there be dancing at this...wedding?”
“I hope so.” Elowyn takes his hands and tries to swing him in a circle, but when he pushes her off, she reaches for Tharios instead.
Tharios laughs. “I’ll be dizzy if you keep this up.”
With a sigh, Elowyn lets him go and drops to a nearby sofa.
“We should all get some rest,” Pera says. “I’ve been informed that we’ll meet to discuss the details of the ceremony in the morning. Sleep well, my elflings.”
One by one, or two, in the case of Tharios and Viala, Elowyn’s family files into the corridor. As soon as they’re gone, she locks the door and hurries back to the water closet to experience the indoor rain in all its steamy glory.
Discarding her dirt-crusted travel clothes, she twists the knob on the left as Tharios suggested. Soon, steam fills the tiny enclosure, and she frowns. That’s too hot. With her dual affinities for fire and water, she’s quite familiar with steam. Not that steam will hurt her. Her fire magic protectsher from the heat. She probably doesn’t need to use such hot water, though.
She adds cold water as well, and soon, the most glorious stream of perfectly hot water flows from the nozzle above. Biting her lip, she steps into the imitation rain and emits a sigh that’s half moan. Warm water massages her scalp and shoulders as it runs in rivulets down her body to a drain in the floor at her feet.
The water soothes her magic as she simply exists in the beautiful, relaxing stream. Mother would love this. Hopefully, someone will help her experience it. Pera has probably already thought of it—he’s always so attentive to Mother’s needs. Especially when it comes to replenishing her magic stores.
By the time Elowyn turns off the water and reaches for one of the fluffy towels, her fingers have turned into prunes, but she feels fabulously fresh and relaxed.
Hopefully, Prince Rominy’s chamber has a shower as well.
You Smell Like a Horse
Episode 6
