“Oh, that is quite a while away. Why are we going to wait?”
“I am going to apologize to every part of you. It will take some time. However, we are first going to bathe properly.”
She snorted. “I am guessing it will not be proper.”
He chuckled. “Perhaps not, but it will be an excellent starting point. The bathing house is this way.”
He steered her carefully, and when they were near the part of the courtyard containing the bathing areas, he removed his shoes. “Your turn.”
Wylda kicked off her heels and stepped onto the smooth wood. He led her along and said, “Do you need help getting undressed?”
“Possibly. I sweated a lot, and parts of this fused to me.”
He chucked. “We will get you a robe for the rest of your stay.”
“Oh. Yay.”
They walked to the platform near the pool, where there were shower heads, taps, and buckets.
“You are sure that I can wear something?”
“Yes. If we don’t find a yukata for you, you can wear one of mine.” He was smiling eagerly.
“Fine. I will start stripping, and when I am stuck, I will let you know.” She unwrapped the outer layer, the middle layer, and then she had to peel the bra and panties off. That was where she was stuck. “Help, please, Lord Rez.”
He chuckled. “Of course, Wylda.”
He carefully drew his finger down the fabric, and she felt it part under his touch. She was naked in seconds.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” The purred words were next to her ear.
“What do I do now?”
“Sit on that wooden stool, and I will bathe you. You can do it yourself next time.” He chuckled.
Wylda walked over and sat where he had indicated. He filled a bucket with warm water, got soap and a soft cloth, and knelt next to her, still dressed.
His sleeves were pushed back, and he carefully scrubbed her body from forehead to toes. After she was rinsed, he washed her hair, and it smelled pretty when he tied it up with something.
He murmured, “Get in the water.”
She nodded and turned to walk toward the pool that was gently steaming. She glanced over her shoulder and blinked at the green flames covering Lord Rez’s aspect as he stripped. Shestepped into the pool and floated away from the edge, turning to watch as water ran over him, under the fire. She blinked. “I was not paying attention the first time.”
Compact muscles moved and bunched under his pale but tanned skin. She swallowed and put more distance between them. When he walked toward the pool, she felt rock prodding against her back. She had run out of running room.
She whispered, “What’s the flame?”
“Ogre fire. Spirit flame.” He moved toward her and smiled. “You look tense. There are benches under the water over here.”
His hands slid around her waist, and he pulled her with him. She didn’t have anything but him to hold on to.
Rez was smiling. Wylda smiled shyly. “You seem to be in a good mood.”
“This time, I am not in a hurry. We will know each other as monsters should, on equal ground.”
He floated her onto his lap and held her against him. She felt movement under her thighs and slowly looked up at him. “That’s new.”
