‘I didn’t have any classes ’til combat, so I used my empty morning to sleep in. I had no idea you were down there until I heard the commotion of students arguing over your unconscious body as I was walking down the stairs. I hate to say it, but that asshole got what he deserved.’
‘Who? Harley?’
Her brows hitch. ‘You don’t know … ? Where the hell do you think he’s been the past couple of days?’
I think back to every person I’ve seen since I woke up in the infirmary and realise, she’s right. I haven’t seen Harley since that first night.
‘He was sent to solitary confinement for a few days. He should be out tomorrow, though, so maybe steer clear if you see him.’
‘Solitary confinement?’ My voice hitches an octave. ‘Are they allowed to do that to him?’
‘You sound like you feel bad for him, Nocthare. Need I remind you what he did?’ Her eyes dip to the faded bruises around my neck.
No. No one needs to remind me of that. I’m sure it’s seared into my memory for the rest of my life.
‘I don’t feel bad for him,’ I tell her honestly. ‘I just … well, I just didn’t know that was a thing here. What do they do in solitary, anyway?’
I wonder if Lukas was sent there after the attack.
‘Bad things, Nocthare. You don’t want to go down there.’
I’m about to ask her to elaborate but my words get choked back down when she grips the hem of her shirt and lifts it up and over her head. She tosses it to the floor, then she does the same with the black bra underneath, dropping it at her feet.
I avert my gaze from her naked chest, feeling my cheeks go pink.
Her laugh echoes around us as she bends over to discard her boots and training pants.
‘Have you never seen a pair of tits before, Nocthare?’
No, I want to say. I haven’t. Other than my own, that is.Not that I think there’s anything wrong with seeing Lillian’s breasts. I didn’t look away because I’m embarrassed or ashamed to have seen them, I looked away because I thought that was the right thing to do. I’ve only ever slept with one person, and that was Corvin. Our inexperienced hands fumbled and shook as we took each other’s clothes off during the few times we were intimate. It wasn’t until the third and final time that Ireallylooked at him. At his toned muscles, lean and sculpted from working in the mines for years, at the long appendage that hung between his legs, and it made my skin feel like it was on fire with how much I blushed. Other than Corvin, this is the first time I’m seeing someone else’s naked body – though as I glance around and spot bare skin through the cloud of steam, I realise I’m going to have to get used to it, and fast. The water below splashes at my feet as Lillian sinks into the bath with a sigh.
‘Are you coming?’ she asks. ‘I can turn around if that makes you more comfortable.’ Her tone is teasing, but there’s a lightness to it. Jovial, almost.
I glance around once more, only to realise no one is watching. Everyone is preoccupied with mending their tired muscles and enjoying the blissful silence of this underground escape.
‘I’m coming,’ I finally reply, then slowly start to kick off my shoes and socks, laying them in a neat pile. My pants have stuck to my skin like wet leather, so it takes a moment to peel them off, but when I do I fold them up as well and place them on top of my shoes. I tuck the crystal Lillian gave me into the toes of one of them.
I decide to leave my underwear on, seeing as I don’t see Lillian’s on her pile of clothes, which makes me think she’s still wearing hers. I remove the tank top I’m wearing but keep my bra on.
When I turn to face Lillian, it’s to find her head tipped back with her eyes closed as she basks in the steam and warmth. I take that as my cue and slowly dip my foot in.
A sharp hiss escapes my lips at the first point of contact. The water is hot, so it takes a minute for me to lower my legs in and adjust to the temperature change. But eventually, I begin to sink deeper until I’m perched on a little inbuilt seat, and everything other than the top of my cleavage upward is hidden by water.
‘Holy Stars,’ I groan loudly. Already, I can feel the salt water and crystals working their magic on my tired, aching muscles.
‘It’s good, right?’ Lillian asks, opening one of her eyes to peer at me from where I’m seated across from her.
I hum in agreement, slowly paddling my feet back and forth beneath the surface. My eyes start to close on their own accord as I lean back and stretch my legs out in front of me, moaning again as my tight muscles tense then relax.
This is incredible. I feel light as a feather as I breathe in deep lungful s of salty air and let my body go limp. Minutes pass by and all I hear is water rippling, wet feet padding somewhere nearby and low murmurs of voices from the pools closest to us. A calm washes over me – it’s as ifmy mind has been cleared and my worries have been dulled. They’re still there, but it’s like a cloudy veil has been folded over them, putting them in the back of my mind for a while. For the first time in days, I feel truly, utterly relaxed.
It’s just the crystals, Aria. Don’t get too attached to this feeling.
I try to remind myself of this but instead, I lap up the freedom I feel in this moment. I enjoy the quiet stillness of my mind and body, right up until I feel sudden movement beside me and a splash of water hits my face.
FIFTEEN
My body shoots upright as a massive male body splashes loudly into the pool beside ours.
