Servitude: The Hydrangea Chapters

Chp 54: A Toilsome Discussion - Part 1

The next morning.

Mordecai must say, Adelina is quite the host. The three of them were given private rooms and a whole day to rest as part of the festival, after the people had been merry most of the first night.

There's also the freely given smorgasbords of Fire Mesa cuisine twice a day. Raw fish salads, pit-cooked pork, beef with fried egg and gravy over rice, and coconut and pineapple desserts. It was an experience after years of hekoska meat and squash.

It's the first time he's tasted it fresh, not half-eaten or starting to rot, mixed with whatever beast from the Urushian Wilds he and the twins caught that day.

With the thought of them crossing his mind, he sighs and runs his fingers through his hair.

'They're fine. They have each other.'

Mordecai then looks to the note he's been carrying as he's been walking down the halls to Adelina's chambers.

'I wish to speak with you alone. Please meet me in my chambers at once.'

His body tenses every time a frond of a potted plant brushes against him; the hallway he walks down is filled with lush greenery. The bright greens contrast with the crimson walls, decorated with orange and blue fire paintings, and the tall arched ceilings feature mosaic patterns forming the insignia of the God of Fire. Finding a pair of lavishly decorated doors with a carved phoenix design, his hand lingers on the handle of Adelina's chamber door for a few moments.

Mordecai can hear his heartbeat pounding in his ears, unsure exactly what she wants to discuss. What's more worrying is that he won't have the others with him.

As he enters the room, Adelina is lounging in her large bath, the water reaching her collar. The surface is covered with flower petals, their gentle aroma drifting from the heat of the water. Just below the surface, a fiery glow from her feathers provides the warmth.

"Mordecai, thank you for coming. Please, come join me." Adelina greets warmly.

Mordecai quickly turns his head to his right, being polite and turning to his blind side. "I'm... alright over here."

"Mordecai, if we are to work together on achieving our goals, transparency is a must. I'm guessing this isn't a Fire custom you've done before?"

"No. The old traditions eventually fade from memory when you're giftless. Not to be shared with a man like me," Mordecai answers sullenly.

There is sympathy in Adelina's expression as he uttered those words. "Then come, let the water at least ease your burdens, just for a little while."

Mordecai hesitates once more, then begins to remove his clothes. 

With each piece of clothing he takes off, more scars etched along his body become visible. Slashes and stab wounds from blades, bites and claws from the beasts of the Urushian Wilds, and long-healed scars from battles against those with gifts—Adelina, the silent witness to each burn he's endured over the years. 

He can feel her eyes on the cauterized wound at his side, which he covers with his hand.

"Thank you... for letting me use your Fire... for this." Mordecai speaks, bowing his head in thanks.

Adelina lets out an amused chuckle. "It's not like I'm able to disallow it. The other Gods and I shared our power with man to help them survive, as you did. I'm just sorry that it must have been excruciating."

How strange it is for a god to apologize to a man like him. Then again, this woman has defied most of his expectations.

Now only in his undergarments, Mordecai lowers himself into the water. He immediately feels a wave of relief wash over him. The water is at just the right temperature, and the usual aches he has are eased, reminding him of his youth. His body instinctively sinking lower, he couldn't help but submerge and linger under the water for a moment.