His Queen

Chapter 2 - Kitra

The journey back to their home took three grueling days of constant walking. Neither of them had slept a wink during that time. When they finally reached the main gates to the city, their disheveled appearance and tiredness made them both irritable. Kit couldn't keep track of how many times she snapped at Alana, all she wanted was some peace and quiet and time to freshen up. But because she was considered royalty in this household, she wasn't allowed to clean herself or even dress without the help of servants.

Alana eagerly accepted the helping hands offered, but as soon as they touched Kitra, she would lash out and demand to be left alone. It took some stern words and raised voices, but eventually the hesitant servants scurried away from the wild woman before them. Covered in a thick layer of mud, tangled twigs, and scattered leaves, Kit must have appeared like a crazed forest creature to anyone who laid eyes on her now.

As soon as the door closed behind the servants, she let out a sigh of relief and allowed her shoulders to slump. She saw the steam coming from behind the screen near the window and her eagerness to be clean intensified. Stripping off her dirty clothes, she eagerly sank into the hot water. The heat soothed her tired muscles and she let out a contented groan. It felt heavenly to finally be able to relax and massage her aching feet after days of walking.

Kitra closed her eyes and leaned back in the steaming bath, savoring the sensation of the hot water enveloping her weary body. The mud and grime that caked her skin slowly dissolved, turning the clear water a murky brown. She reached for a bar of lavender soap and began scrubbing herself vigorously, determined to remove every last trace of the arduous journey from her flesh.

As she washed, Kitra's mind wandered back over the events of the past few days. The unexpected detour, the grueling trek through the wilderness, the constant bickering with Alana - it had all taken a toll on her physically and mentally. She knew her behavior towards the servants had been unacceptable, but in that moment, exhausted and on edge, she simply couldn't tolerate anyone else's presence.

The scented steam swirled around her, soothing her frayed nerves. Kitra massaged her aching calves and feet, working out the knots and tension. Slowly, she could feel the stress and fatigue begin to melt away, replaced by a profound sense of relief and relaxation.

Kitra emerged from the steaming bath, her skin flushed and supple from the heat. She wrapped herself in a plush, white towel and caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. Her long, dark locks cascaded down her back in luscious waves, still damp from the bath. Her eyes were drawn to the scars that marked her left side - remnants of a fire that had ravaged her body when she was just a young girl. The marks stood out boldly against her otherwise smooth and pale skin, causing her to let out a sigh of frustration. Despite growing into a woman, the scars remained - a constant reminder of her painful past.

However, as she gazed at them now, she couldn't help but notice how they had changed over the years. They used to cover almost half of her face, but with time they seemed to shrink in size and intensity. Now, they delicately traced along her jawline and grazed the corner of her eye, barely noticeable in comparison to their previous severity. They still marred her arms fiercely and stretched across her neck and torso - where the burning beam had landed on her all those years ago, trapping her beneath its weight.

Kitra delicately slipped on a flowing dress from her wardrobe, savoring the sensation of smooth fabric against her skin. The deep hues of dark blues and rich reds embraced her figure in wispy layers, cinched tightly at the back with a corset.

As she smoothed out any wrinkles in the material, Kitra felt a sense of calm wash over her. She knew she would have to make amends for her earlier outbursts with Alana and the servants, but for now, she reveled in the quiet solitude of her chambers.