Shadows of Avarice - Book #1 (BxB)

Chapter 19

For the rest of the day, Xia didn't speak with his sister. He didn't join the others for dinner either, and he barely touched the food that one of the servants brought to his room. He knew that he was acting foolishly. This was all because he couldn't come to terms with his feelings. He didn't like Osiris. Hell, he only knew the man for over a week now. If it were any handsome man flirting with him for an extended time, then he probably would have felt the same way. Unlike most people he stole from, he had to deceive one person for more than just a couple of hours. It didn't help that Osiris was kind and sexy. 

He groaned, tired of thinking about Osiris. Instead of letting his thoughts consume him, Xia got out of bed. It was late and nearing midnight. He remembered Amani mentioning and showing him the baths in the palace's north wing. Xia was a bit reluctant to go, though. Based on Amani and Shiva's reaction, Amani was clearly up to something. He didn't know if he wanted to risk one of her pranks, but he was also curious about the water's healing properties. If it could heal his wounds, he wouldn't need his sister's help to hide the bruises. It would save them time and Xia's neck wouldn't throb anymore.

Against his better judgment, Xia decided to go. Whatever trick Amani had waiting for him he would deal with. It had to be an innocent prank. It wouldn't be anything that would expose him, or else Amani would have by now. She was able to see through his disguise when the other concubines couldn't. For now, she was staying quiet about it.

The halls were silent as he walked down them. Xia had never been out this late in the palace before. Xia didn't see a single soul besides one or two guards patrolling the area. They didn't say anything to him as he made his way to the north wing. He didn't expect them to, but it still felt odd that he was allowed to roam the palace as he pleased. This life of luxury was something that he could only ever dream of before. Unfortunately, it wouldn't stay his reality.

Once reaching the baths, Xia slowly opened the door. He looked for any sign that this was a trap, but everything was silent. He was the only one here in this large room. Maybe Amani wasn't actually up to something. Maybe she only mentioned this place out of kindness.

He closed the door behind him when he believed the coast was clear. Amani had shown him the baths previously, but he was still taken by surprise by how impressive this place was. The bath was as large as a swimming pool, and based on what Amani told him on their way here earlier, the water was warm and fresh all year round. He could sense magic radiating from the water. This place was supposed to be for healing, after all.

Xia wouldn't stay for long. He would only stay until the bruises on his neck healed. There was a mirror up against one of the walls that he could check. Once he healed, he would head back to his room until morning came. He hoped he would heal before he faced whatever prank Amani had in store for him.

After checking one last time to make sure that he was completely alone, Xia removed his garments. Getting in and out of these dresses was becoming easier for him. He still despised wearing them and he doubted that would ever change, but at least they were becoming more bearable to wear. He didn't feel as uncomfortable with them as he did in the beginning.

Xia took his first step into the pool. The water was instantly soothing to the touch. Aches and pains that Xia wasn't aware that he had were gone. His whole life, Xia had to fight to survive. He was constantly stealing and on the run, or he was out in the desert searching for anything that he could bring back to support his family. He never realized how much of a toll those things took on his body.

As he submerged himself further into the water, he let himself finally relax. The pool only got as high as his stomach, so Xia lowered himself into the water. Xia allowed himself to be completely submerged in the water. With the water surrounding him, Xia could feel its healing process working. The dull pain that he felt from the bite marks disappeared. He didn't know if the marks would be gone, but at least the pain was gone. He also felt as though his mind was clearer than ever before.