Cand Chronicles

4: Preparation

4: Preparation

The morning came, and uncharacteristically I slept through dawn. I didn't know if there was any point to stay awake without the promise of the sunrise, so when my eyes fluttered open, I closed them again.

The cot was such a nice change from the mountain floor. I hadn't laid down to sleep the past few nights, and it made my back feel amazing to lie down on a padded cot. When I finally woke up for the day, I wondered what the bed would feel like. Probably amazing and soft. I'd never slept on a bed until Mother died and Father left his vacated. Lily and I slept on cots that were thinner than the one Nara had left. When the bed was vacated, we both shared it when Father never came home. Even when he did come home, he would pass out in the rocking chair by the stove.

I wondered if there would be an opportunity to bathe. The water didn't have to be warm, I reasoned. Just clean.

When Seraph woke up, Nara entered the room.

"Let's get you cleaned up, shall we?" She actually smiled at me.

I gawked at the kindness and nodded.

"How are your wounds?" She asked.

I unwrapped the bandage from Seraph's collarbone. While it was still red, only green showed on the wrapping. Not anything else. The infection had gone down substantially.

Shocked, I looked at my own hand. The pain had subsided to a dull thrumming, but after last night I'd barely registered the pain.

I'd never gotten around to wrapping my hand before sleep overtook me. But my brand looked like Seraph's. Less painful, but grosser as I didn't cover it up with a bandage.

"A bath would be nice, if we can... and some food."

Nara didn't even blink at my words. She didn't deny us of anything. Instead she tilted her chin to the dresser, "Get your clothes and follow me to the baths."

Baths. Like multiple? I wondered, but didn't ask out loud.

We went back through the dining room, which was empty. Out in the halls, there was a man who didn't look at me at all, as he leaned against the wall. He had to be a Witch's mate. I wondered if he was human or not and decided that dealing with one paranormal breed was enough for me right now.

I could barely stomach the dark malice emanating off of the Witches. Seraph held my hand and walked  by my side, which slowed us down. I was very glad she had energy enough that I didn't have to carry her. That was a relief.

There was a sound of rushing water and then we opened the door and steam arose from within.

An open hot spring, I realized. And the sky!

I'd heard about natural waters that were warm when they pooled, but I'd never thought they were actually real. But the steam coming out from the water was impressive and hot. It was amazing. The air smelled fresh and clean, making me feel even dirtier. Beginnings of noon made the sun sparkle on the water. It was a relief to be outside, though I had no idea how we got from underground to here—outside.

"Generally, each of us take one pool. There are plenty of pools that would be secluded too if you want privacy."

I nodded, "Privacy would be nice."

"Then go towards the back. We have towels  in the far left corner and by the door here," she motioned towards a pile of towels.

This experience was out of my comfort zone way too much, but I figured that a bath was a bath.

"If your cycle comes, please choose a pool towards the lower regions so it doesn't mess up the water for us. The pools are all connected and while we respect the body, we don't necessarily want to bathe in it."