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The sink was a good height for him to tip his head back into it, and he closed his eyes, his shoulders stiff. Adry gathered up his hair until it pooled in the sink, the long chestnut strands silken even while greasy.

Turning the water on once again, she fiddled with the temperature. Once it was right, she filled the cup, pouring it several times over his hair to wet his scalp. The ends of the long strands she could place directly under the faucet.

When his hair was wet, she opened the jar of shampoo, scooped out a generous dollop, and began working it into his hair. She took her time, massaging his scalp, then trailing her fingers through the strands of his hair. Over and over in slow, steady movements.

As she did, she could see the way his shoulders relaxed, fraction by incremental fraction. A tear trickled down his cheek, and he reached up slowly, as if he hoped she wouldn’t notice him swiping it away with shaking fingers.

She would pretend she hadn’t noticed. Just as she pretended her heart wasn’t aching at seeing Merrik like this, despondent and empty, nor her stomach fluttering at the feel of his hair gliding through her fingers.

This moment was something intimate. How many times had she had to squash thoughts of running her fingers through Merrik’s hair? It would be so easy to lean closer, press a kiss⁠—

Nope. Just a friend. Nothing but a friend. She smothered all thoughts of kissing him.

Sure, washing his hair was several steps beyond what someone would do for a mere friend. But hopefully Merrik wouldn’t think anything of it, given the state he was currently in.

After filling the cup again, she poured it over his head to rinse the shampoo, holding her hand at his forehead to prevent the water from spilling over his face. Once she’d refilled the cup, she dumped it again, and this time she must have been a little too enthusiastic about it. Water flowed over her hand and down his face.

Merrik sputtered, his hand steadier as he swiped at the water. He cracked one eye open as he grimaced up at her.

“Sorry, sorry.” She set down the cup, grabbed a towel from the nearby shelf, and handed it to him. “It’s been a while since Ellie or Tryndar let me help with washing their hair.”

“I can see why.” Merrik’s droll tone—sharp as it was—made her smile. Any hint of an emotion besides anger was a good sign. He wiped the towel over his face before he dropped it into his lap, closing his eyes once again.

After rinsing the shampoo, she worked in the conditioner, letting it sit for a moment before she rinsed it, too. Retrieving another towel, she squeezed his hair dry. She located his brush and, starting at the ends, she drew the brush through the strands until his hair lay long and detangled down his shoulders.

“There.” She set down the brush and faced him. “I bet that feels a lot better. All nice and clean.”

Merrik opened his eyes, his look still somewhat lifeless.

Yet she mentally counted the seconds. He would register the difference between his clean hair and unwashed body in approximately three…two…one…

Merrik’s eyes widened, and he gave a shudder as he plucked at his shirt, holding it away from him as if he couldn’t stand the dirty fabric touching his skin a moment longer.

Adry reached past him, plugged the sink, and turned on the faucet to start filling it. “I know it isn’t as good as a shower, but here’s the sink and a washcloth.”

“And here are fresh clothes.” Aunt Patience bustled inside, carrying a stack of clothing. She set it on top of the shelf that held the spare towels.

Good. Adry hadn’t wanted to rifle through Merrik’s shelves to find fresh clothing items. Picking out a new pair of undershorts for him would be a step too intimate.

Adry skirted around Merrik and followed Aunt Patience from the water closet, closing the door after her.

In the minutes Adry had been washing Merrik’s hair, Aunt Patience had transformed the room. The glass had been swept up, the ashes from the branches Adry had incinerated wiped away. New sheets now lay crisp and precise on the bed while a fresh glass of water waited. The elven protections on the windows and the doors to the balcony had been cracked open, letting in a breeze to air out the room.

Aunt Patience turned, blinking rapidly, and gave Adry a quick hug. “Thank you. Linshi. I didn’t know what to do.”

“Of course.” Adry returned the hug, keeping her voice low. “I should have thought to do this sooner.”

“I’m not sure it would have worked sooner.” Aunt Patience shook her head, giving another sigh.

Adry could only hope it would be enough.

Chapter

Six

Merrik’s skin crawled with a gross, unwashed feeling. He hastily stripped off his shirt, dropping it on the floor.

He washed himself as best he could with a washcloth. Definitely not as good as a shower, but as he scrubbed away the sticky, sweaty layer from his skin, he found himself feeling more alive. More like a person again.