Healing The Beastworld

Ch 8: id like a bath

  In the aftermath of a night filled with passion, Karee stirred from her slumber, her body leaving soft embrace of sleep. As consciousness slowly enveloped her mind, she realized she was swathed in multiple fur pelt blanket, its gentle folds concealing her naked form. As she opened her eyes, a wave of contentment washed over her. She stretched, feeling the delightful ache in her muscles, a testament to the night’s passionate embrace. Her heart, usually a drumbeat of nervous anticipation, was a gentle thrum of contentment. She had a mate.
  She reached over to place her hand on Rontu only to feel more fur pelts where he once was, she turned to look at the spot to confirm he wasn't there.
The sound of footsteps entering the room startled her. She watched as Rontu walked towards her, his hair tousled, his eyes crinkled with a smile that made her heart skip. He held a stone bowl of freshly cut fruit, glistening with dew, and a small stone cup of steaming tea.
“Good morning, sunshine,” he said, his voice a low rumble. He placed the items carefully on the floor infront of her, the scent of ripe strawberries and mango filling the air. “How did you sleep?” He asked.
  “Like a princess,” she murmured, her cheeks flushed with
warmth. “That's good to hear," he chuckled, his gaze lingering on her. "You deserve a good night's sleep after all that." He settled himself beside her on the bed of pelts, his hand gently cupping her face. His fingers traced the curve of her jawline, his thumb brushing the corner of her lips. "I can't believe you’re my mate,” he whispered, his voice filled with wonder. “I thought I was dreaming last night.You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” he murmured, his thumb gently stroking her cheek. “And you look even more beautiful now, with the morning light playing on your hair.” His words, simple yet heartfelt, sent a shiver down her spine. She leaned into his touch, feeling the warmth of his body next to hers.
  He watched her eat the fruit, his eyes filled with an adoration that made her heart soar. When she finished, he collected the stone bowl and cup, setting it aside with a soft clink. "Is there anything else I can do for you my love?" He ask holding her now free hand in his, gently rubbing small circles into her palm with his thumb. She sat thinking for a moment before responding, "I could use a warm bath if possible," she chuckled softly, "It would help my body stop aching quite a bit." "A bath?" Rontu tilted his head, eyebrows furrowed, "Whats a bath?" Karee didn't even consider that a bath was a foreign concept to him.
  "Yes Rontu, a bath." Karee said, a smile playing on her lips. "It's a way to clean yourself. You fill a tub with warm water and then... well, you get in.  A tub is kinda like this stone bowl but it should be large enough for a person to fit comfortably. Smooth, with no sharp edges and it could be made of wood or stone" Rontu's brow furrowed. "Water? In a tub? But why? The river is right there." He gestured with his broad hand towards the direction of the rushing water that snaked by the village. Karee chuckled. "Rontu, the river is for fishing and swimming. A bath is different. It's about relaxation, and…well, it makes you feel clean and fresh."
Rontu looked at her skeptically. "Clean? I am clean. The river keeps me clean."
  Karee, ever patient, decided to elaborate. 'Well, yes, but a bath is more… thorough. It's like a gentle massage for your skin. And it can be very soothing to start the day or after a long day." Rontu had spent his days hunting and working, his body aching from the exertion. He was used to a quick dip in the river, just to cool off. But Karee's words piqued his curiosity. "So, you just sit in the water?" he asked, tentatively. "And it makes you feel better?"
"Exactly," Karee said, her eyes twinkling. "You add some soap, maybe some bubbles, and you just relax. You can even add essential oils, flower pettles or herbs for a calming scent.'
The idea of a warm bath, with bubbles and scents, was a new and enticing one to Rontu. He had always felt the cold bite of the river, never the comforting warmth and didnt want Karee to feel the cold waterof the river on her solft skin. He pictured her sinking into a tub, the water washing away the aches and grime from the previous nights activities.
  “You deserve a to be pampered.” He leaned down, his lips brushing against hers in a tender kiss. "So I shall make you a tub for a warm bath. Stay here and I will make a tub for you use." He quickly stands and runs out the door making her chuckle at his enthusiasm. She shifts in her spot looking down at the pelts keeping her warm, peaking out from the edge of the fur she sees a red mark. Gently pulling down the fur she sees the red was part of a symbol that reminded her of a tattoo of a coyote just above her collarbone. 'I guess this is a mating mark he told me about,' she thinks to herself while places the tips of her fingers on it tracing it slowly. She thought it was beautiful she laid back down her mind wandering to the events of the previous night causing her face to blush. Shaking the thoughts from her head she pulls the furs up to her chin and rolled over to try and go back to sleep.
  Suddenly a hand is placed on her shoulder gently waking her from her nap. "Karee, I finished your bath." Rontu says causing her to to sit up slowly. She looks around and spots a large stone 'tub' in the once empty corner of the bed room, the smell of magnolia and gardenias floods her nose. He holds out his hand helping her stand before leading her over to the tub. She watches as the blossomed flowers float on the surface of the tub as small trails of steam rise from the water. Slowly she places her hand in to feel the water finding it at the perfect temperature. She looks at Rontu still at her side, her eyes full of warmth. "You said it would be warm but since the water was cold I boiled it like how you didn't making tea. I waited for it to cool some so it wouldn't burn you. I couldn't find any of the soap as you called it but I  placed flowers that I know many femals enjoy the smell of in as well. Did I do it correctly? He asked affraid he had done something wrong.
  "It's perfect Rontu, thank you." She says with a sweet smile on her lips
“Im glad i did it right. Now get in the bath and enjoy yourself,” he said, his voice a playful murmur. “I'll be right back.” He left the room and Karee dropped the fur blankets to the ground before she slipped into the warm water, the sweet scent of flowers enveloping her like a hug. She closed her eyes, the gentle warmth of the water filling her senses. This was her life now, a life filled with love, laughter, and the promise of a future bright with hope. And she couldn't imagine it any other way.