"I never said it was," she says defensively, although not unkindly. "By the looks of it, you and your friend made it to us just in time. You must have suffered greatly."
I whip up to look at her. "Nyx? Is he all right?"
She smiles. "Yes, your friend is doing much better. He strengthens every hour. It seems he has some kind of healing power that is aiding his recovery." Her face falters. "Although, he will have scars from the torture he endured."
"It's all my fault," I mutter under my breath. "He never would have been harmed if it weren't for me."
"You mustn't do that to yourself," Hani closes the gap between us and gently wipes strands of wild white hair from my face. "Come. We will wash you and apply – "
"I want to see him," I blurt. "Where is he?"
"He is sleeping. I can take you to him once we've tended to you."
"But – "
"Please," she insists. "If we are to have any chance at keeping you from scarring, we need to take care of your skin."
She stretches her hand out for me to take but I don't move.
"Were you the one who dressed me?" I ask. I need to know.
She nods in confirmation. "Yes, Hagar and I changed you. We did our best to wipe the sand from your burns before laying you in bed to rest." Her eyes dip to the floor. "I hope you don't consider that an invasion of your privacy. I'm sure you are adverse to strangers touching you. I promise we did so with utmost care and respect."
She's overcompensating. If she helped dress me, then she's seen every burn mark on my body. Some in the shape of giant handprints. It doesn't take great intelligence to piece togetherwhat happened to me. Though the idea of more hands on me sickens me, I know she and her sister did what was necessary to help me.
I offer her a smile, though it's not much. "Thank you. I appreciate your hospitality and kindness."
"It's the least we can do." She tries once more to extend her hand. "I'll help you wash your hair."
After a moment's hesitation, I accept her hand, allowing her to lead me to the bathroom. In Midori, I had ladies help me bathe so this is not a new concept, but after what I just went through, it will take me some time to accept.
"Do you want me to turn around so you can get in?" Hani asks as she twists her long brown hair up into a bun plopped on her head.
I tilt my chin downward and she immediately turns her back to me. I'm grateful for her consideration and compassion. I drop the overlay to the bath rug and slip a foot into the deliciously warm water. Flashes of soaking in a bath after a long day of training strike me. Atlas' face pops into my head and suddenly I'm frozen. What if he sees me and is disgusted by me? What if he's angry another touched me?
"Is everything all right?" Hani's voice steadies my fraying nerves.
"No," I whimper, bottom lip trembling.
"Do you want me to help you?" she asks gently, though she has kept her back to me the entire time.
"I got it." I force myself to step my second foot inside the tub and slowly sink into the water. It comes up to my neck which gives me the coverage I was hoping for. "I'm in. You can turn around now."
Hani obeys, dragging a tiny stool to the edge of the tub where my head is and pulls my hair over the lip. "Is the water too warm?"
"It's perfect, thank you."
She pours a bit of oil in her palm. It smells like myrrh. Spreading it between her hands, she begins to rub her fingers through my hair and across my scalp.
"We believe myrrh has healing and protecting power," Hani explains, picking up a second glass bottle and pouring a different oil into her palm. "Frankincense for peace." A third oil is added to her hand and subsequently massaged into my scalp. "And juniper for its pleasant aroma. It's my personal favorite. I hope you like it."
"It smells lovely," I smile, though she can't see my face.
"You don't have to tell me what happened to you in the underworld," Hani catches me off guard. "But if it is any consolation, you are a survivor and should be proud. The monster that tried to kill you failed."
My stomach twists in knots. Whether I want to or not, tears flow down my cheeks and drip into the bathwater. Her hands still.
"I'm sorry if what I said – "
