He nodded approvingly. “We will ready you for your quest then.”
Father Ling reached up to one of the statues standing in front of the stained glass and twisted the hand. To Simon’s astonishment a portion of the glass turned outward revealing a passageway beyond.
“You will be safe here,” the monk said to Simon as if sensing his hesitancy.
Father Ling ducked in and Isabella followed him. Not willing to allow her out of his sight, Simon hurried after them. Down a narrow hallway they rapidly strode. Then they descended a flight of steps and entered an even smaller passageway. At the end stood a thick wooden door.
The monk reached into his robe and withdrew a key. Inserting it into the lock he swung it open and motioned them inside.
Isabella gasped when she caught sight of the interior. Simon wasn’t any less impressed. The entire room looked like a tropical garden. Heavy perfume from the multitude of flowers hung densely in the air. But what struck him most was the warmth. It felt like the most glorious of spring days.
White marble columns stood in the middle of the room and marked the entrance to what appeared to be a large bathing chamber. Three monks stood to the side, evidently awaiting instruction.
The sound of running water alerted him to a small waterfall that cascaded down the left wall into a chute that meandered into the bathing room. The decadence of the chamber seemed more appropriate for a palace than a monastery.
Father Ling turned around to face Isabella. “Will Lord Merrick be accompanying you on your journey?”
She turned and looked questioningly at him. He nodded and relief lightened her expression. She returned to Father Ling. “Yes.”
“Then you must both be prepared. I will leave you to be cleansed. Afterwards I will offer my blessing on the both of you.”
“Thank you,” she said grasping his hand in hers.
He bowed before her and quickly vanished out the door.
As soon as he was gone, the three monks that had stood to the side moved forward. “If you will come this way,” one of them said as he motioned for them.
He and Isabella followed them through the marble columns into the chamber that housed the large pool of water. It formed a perfect square with steps leading down into it on all sides. Another waterfall directly fed water into the pool from the back.
The monks motioned for them to disrobe and Isabella didn’t hesitate. She shrugged out of her shirt and began working her pants down her legs. Following suit, Simon began removing his own clothing, wondering at the significance of the act.
He leaned over to pull his breeches from his feet and when he stood back up Isabella stood before him gloriously naked. Sucking in his breath, he stood rigidly, not wanting to embarrass himself by reacting to her.
She stepped down into the water, her fingers making smooth ripples as they trailed along the surface. Her hair hung to the small of her back, bouncing erotically above her rounded buttocks.
The monk motioned for him to follow her, so he stepped into the water, nearly moaning in pleasure as the hot water lapped at his knees. Anxious to submerge his entire body, he quickly descended the last of the steps until he stood waist-deep in the water beside Isabella.
To his surprise, the monks followed them in, their robes swirling in the water. They carried soap and washing cloths as well as a pitcher for rinsing.
“They only wish to wash your hair,” she whispered to him, and he smiled, wondering if she had read his alarm. While a bath with Isabella was as close to heaven as he would ever be, he had no desire to have his private parts washed by a bunch of holy men.
When the monks stood in front of them, Isabella bowed her head before them. Following her example, he too, bowed his head. Soon warm water cascaded over his head and down his back. The scent of sweet-smelling soap filled his nostrils as the monk worked his fingers through Simon’s hair. After a few moments, he again felt the warm rush of water as the soap was rinsed from his hair.
As quickly as they came, the monks filed out of the water, leaving him and Isabella behind.
“Your pallets will be prepared, and a meal will be served shortly,” one said to Isabella. “When you have completed your bath, you may eat and rest in the next room. Your journey will begin an hour before high tide.”
When they had departed, Simon turned back to Isabella who stood before him, water running in rivulets down her body. Her oceanic eyes stared searchingly at him, and her damp hair clung to her body, nearly covering her breasts. Only the tips peaked out from the tendrils of hair.
She slowly reached out and took his hand, pulling it back to lie over her chest. Understanding her silent plea, he closed the small distance between them and pressed his naked form to hers. He bent his head and kissed her hungrily.
He pulled back her hair over her shoulders and ran his fingers lightly up her ribcage and underneath the swell of her breasts. “I have never seen a woman as beautiful as you.”
Isabella shivered, letting his words swirl over her like a fine wine. Not content to waste their last remaining hours, she pulled his head down to hers then sank deeper into the water. He came with her until they were neck deep in the pool.
He grinned wickedly at her then covered her lips with his. Pulling her under the water, he kept his mouth tightly sealed over hers. His hands cupped her breasts, and he ran his thumbs over the nipples.
They rose back to the surface, water rushing down their bodies as they leapt upward. “I want you,” he growled.
