Page 141 of To Scale the Emerald Mountain

I eye him accusingly. “You should see yourself.”

“All thanks to you.” My smile falters but he pulls me in his arms. “Do not feel guilty, Elly. I wish it had happened sooner. Come, let us go wash off my death.”

Alec leads us through the foyer and up the stone staircase. When we make it to the third floor, he guides me to my chambers and closes the door behind us.

He kisses me softly and says, “Wait here a moment.”

I sit in my vanity chair while Alec enters the bathing chamber. The tap of the large bathtub starts before the hiss of the multiple shower heads. Frowning, I wonder why he’s turned on both.Turning to my mirror, I untie the large bow, place the ribbon on top of my vanity, and pull free my failing bun, caked with clotting blood. Grimacing, I decide to leave it until it’s time to wash. My face, chest, hands, and clothing are also covered in blood that begins to flake off in places where it’s dried.

My skin is suddenly too tight, knowing whose blood it is and what caused it.

I turn away from the mirror as the patter of water from the shower continues. Alec surprises me when he opens the door, hair dripping wet, wearing nothing but a pair of black pants that leave little to the imagination.

He sweeps his arm, inviting me in.

“Where did you get clean pants?”

Alec gives me a smirk. “I took the liberty of adding a few of my necessities to your chambers while you slept last night.”

“That was a little presumptuous.” Brushing past him, I lift my brow questioningly.

“Let us say hopeful. Go rinse in the shower before getting in the bath.”

Alec smiles at me before exiting the bathing chamber, swinging the door with him.

Realization sets in that he showered quickly while drawing me a bath, complete with sweet smelling bubbles and my basket of soaps and oils ready. A towel and my green robe also sit waiting. My heart squeezes; I fight tears at the small action, knowing that he has been dying to care for me in these small ways.

Peeling off my boots, now ruined and stained with blood, I frown at them. Such a shame, they were wonderful. Unsticking my bloody clothes, I toss them in the wastebasket before stepping in the shower. I make quick work of scrubbing the blood from my hair and rinsing my body. It swirls down the drain and I briefly watch it, blanketed by relief over said blood setting me free; and being able to witness it disappear.

Minutes later, I sink into the warm bath. Soothing rainbow lights from the sun filtering through stained glass paint pictures across the wall. I submerge my head briefly, and as I break the surface, a soft knock calls at the door.

“Yes?”

The door swings open slowly, and Alec announces, “I am coming in.”

I slip under the water to my chin. “But I’m naked!”

He laughs. “As one usually is in a bath. Just stay under the water. I am coming in.”

Alec walks in confidently and wastes no time pulling a stool to the edge of the bath near my head. “Do not act as if you would not have happily let me strip you bare and have my way with you downstairs,” he drawls in my ear, my thighs clenching at the reminder. “But I only want to wash your hair for you.”

“You do?” I ask, surprised.

“More than you could imagine.” Alec reaches towards the basket and selects a bar of soap. He holds it under my nose for me to test, and I deny the floral square. He reaches for another, and we repeat the process. This time, I nod enthusiastically at the subtle vanilla.

“Sit up, tilt your head back.”

Alec produces a clay pitcher off the floor and dips it in the water before pouring it over my hair, working his fingers through knots as warm liquid trickles down my neck and back. I close my eyes and smile at his deft, gentle fingers carefully cleansing my tresses. Alec repeats the process several times before lathering the bar of soap in his hands and begins massaging my scalp. I moan in appreciation, the firm touch easing a tension I didn’t know I was holding.

“May I ask you a question without you getting upset?” he inquires.

“I can’t promise I won’t get upset. But ask it anyway.”

Alec’s hands pause their work, and he turns my head to look up to him. My eyes open and find him studying me with concern. “Will you allow one of us to take you to the Healer’s District tomorrow to speak to someone? It does not have to be me. Whoever you wish.”

My heart stutters anxiously, but I agree as a tear slips from my eye. Alec sighs his relief and meets his mouth with mine. “I understand if you are not ready to speak to me about what happened yet, but know that I am ready to listen whenever you are.”

He rinses my hair, gently scrubbing as water pours over the strands.