The room had two small beds set at right angles to each other. In the corner where they met sat a small table, currently occupied by our pistols and the shotgun. A thick ledge ran along the bottom of the window. Two chairs and a small table sat beneath it. Along the remaining wall stood a long table with a washbasin and pitcher. A good-sized mirror hung above the basin. The walls were plain wood paneling, with off-white linen curtains hanging over the window, partly open to let in a little moonlight.
John shook me awake. After returning from the pier, I couldn't remember falling asleep, but my body was tired. John shuffled over to the washbasin and looked into the mirror above it.
"Junnie brought up some water for wash'in, but I'm headed to the bath house," he said. "I want to have a good bath before hit'in the trail."
I raised a brow. A proper bath did sound like a good idea.
"I'll join you. I was think'in we could head to Calharbor Keep to see what the Dooramires know about this trade that the Raven's gotten himself into."
John looked up into the mirror, his jaw twitching, his stormy eyes widening. I could see the silver starting to swirl in his eyes. Calharbor held bad memories for him.
"I know, John, but I think they may have an idea of what's going on," I said quietly.
We had been partners for the better part of fifty years. I was already a Marshal when I found him on the streets of Gallamire. He was still young, but he had a keen eye and was a good shot with pistols. And I needed a partner.
John walked over to the table, grabbed my saddlebag, and tossed it at me before taking his own. Without a word, he left the room, his steps heavy and deliberate as he headed down the stairs.
Leaning my head forward, I gave my hair a good shake, letting my golden locks fall into my face before tossing them back. With a deep breath, I reached for my black, wide-brimmed hat and settled it on my head. Then I stood and headed for the door.
The stairs creaked as I walked down them. Reaching Junnie's door, I gave it a rap, opened the door, and said, "Good morning. We're headed to the baths. I will come back by before heading out."
Junnie sat up in bed, yawned, and stretched her arms high above her head. Her golden hair had loosened and fallen around her.
"Fine! See you when you get back," she said before tossing herself back down on the bed and rolling over.
It was still dark when I stepped outside onto the wooden sidewalk. I looked to the left; the road was lined with gas lanterns still aglow. It was mostly empty except for a few fishermen making their way toward the piers and a shop owner cleaning his windows.
John was marching down the dirt road, kicking up dust every few steps. At least he wasn't on the wooden sidewalk, or he'd be loud as hell.
I started after him, following him down the road for a while before catching up to him at the turn.
"I thought you changed your mind about come'in to the bath house," John growled.
"You know it is not safe to go to a bath house by yourself in this town. Half these people don't even like us." I waved a hand in the air. "And you know they would give anything to get the jump on us."
John reached up and smacked me on the shoulder. "I think you just want to see if there are any pretty girls here this time of day."
Then he cracked a wide smile, those pearly white teeth and sharp canines showing against his dark hazelnut skin. John could never stay mad at me for long. Besides, he knew I was right about the Dooramires.
When we reached the bath house, it was just as I remembered it. The front porch was lined with chairs, and the building backed up against the mountainside. The walls had been limewashed and trimmed in bright blue. The Comaize people who ran the bath house loved this bright blue color. Spot it on a building, and you knew the owners were Comaize.
John rapped on the door. After a moment, a stunning woman opened it, wearing a blue robe tied with a navy blue sash. Her ivory skin was spotless, and copper tresses fell all the way to her waist.
John rapped on the door. After a moment, a stunning woman opened it, wearing a blue robe tied with a navy-blue sash. Her ivory skin was spotless, and copper tresses fell all the way to her waist.
"Hello, John." She raised a brow, looking him up and down before settling her gaze back on his face. "John, you handsome pain in my ass, why are you knocking on my door at this ungodly hour?"
There was a playful irritation in her voice, but the slow smile curling across her lips told a different story.
"Yes, ma'am. We're headed out early and would like a bath before we go." John gave her his best smile and a wink as he leaned against the doorframe.
Of course he did. I couldn't keep the smile off my face.
"You pay double?" She held out her hand, the raised brow returning.
John laughed. "Jazalyn, darlin', I'd pay whatever you ask, as long as my bath is hot."
Jazalyn's mouth curved into a satisfied smile. She dropped her hand and stepped aside to let us in, closing and locking the door behind us.
"Follow me, John." She slipped her hand around his arm, then glanced back at me. "You wait here."
I waited near the entrance until another woman came down the hall to collect me. She was just as lovely as Jazalyn. Her hair was more bronze than copper, and her skin was so pale I could see faint veins beneath it. She wore the same light-blue robe with a dark-blue sash.
"You must be Kalen."
I nodded.
"Follow me."
As we continued down the hall, the walls changed from wood to stone, the baths built directly into the cliffside. The stone was sand-colored with a rusty hue. The farther back we walked, the louder the sound of running water became.
Then we came to a stop in front of the bathing room I was to use. The doorway was covered by a royal-blue curtain, concealing the room beyond. The woman reached forward and gently pulled the curtain aside with one hand.
It revealed a room with a large open pool sunk into the ground near the center. Water flowed from the wall into the pool, yet the pool never overflowed.
I stepped into the room.
"My name is Anira. Please," she said, gesturing toward a bench where I could leave my clothes.
I made my way over to the bench and started to undress. I dropped my boots beside it as I pulled them off, each one landing with a heavy thud that echoed through the cavern. The room was humid and warm. It reminded me of home.
Anira walked over to a table and gathered soaps, oils, soft washing cloths, and a coarse bathing sponge onto a tray. She placed a stool by the edge of the pool and set the tray beside two folded towels. Bare, I padded over to the pool and lowered myself into the water. The water was warm and eased some tension in my muscles. I submerged myself completely, then came back up and flung my hair back, sending water droplets across the room.
A bench was carved into the wall of the pool. I walked over to it and sat, taking a moment to lean back. Anira's movements were effortless, her delicate fingers untying the knot in her sash. She eased the robe from her shoulders and placed it on a peg along the wall. The softness of her curves wasn't lost on me.
For a moment, she reminded me of Sandra when she was young and lovely, with her fiery red hair, green eyes, and skin so light it glittered in the moonlight. I took a deep breath, pulling myself out of a memory I really didn't want to relive.
I looked away from Anira, only for my eyes to drift back as she lowered herself into the water. The water crawled up her skin as if it were thirsty for her presence. I couldn't help following the trail of water as it caressed her body.
I closed my eyes. I had no business gazing at this woman like she was breakfast. I leaned my head back and let out a deep sigh. The water rippled as Anira moved through it toward the supplies. Her hair was pinned up in a bun, secured with two metal rods. She reached for the soap and bathing sponge.
"Is the water warm enough?" she asked, moving closer to me.
Without opening my eyes, I answered, "It could be warmer." I called on my magic, and my skin shimmered with a golden hue. I could feel it crawling through the veins in my hands, along my arms, and across my neck like a warm hug. The water began to steam.
I lowered my head to face her. When I opened my eyes, I saw Anira's widen slightly. Anira reached for me and placed a hand softly on my shoulder. "These words on your shoulder and arm. What do they mean?" she asked as she began to wash my arm. Without warning, I whipped around and snatched her hand. "I only tell those stories to my close friends." I stared into her eyes, knowing the golden flecks in mine had begun to move.
I had no time for the little games her kind played, getting into men's heads and having them spill their secrets. "I would want to be your friend," she said, her voice turning sultry. I brought my other hand up, placing my thumb and forefinger on either side of her chin and lifting it.
"I know of your kind," I said with a slight warning growl, the corner of my mouth curving upward. I knew it wasn't her fault. It was simply the nature of her kind. She pulled her chin from my hand. Emerald-green flecks rolled through her eyes as she challenged me. "And what kind does the dragon say I am?"
I held her gaze. This was a challenge. But she didn't know what she was playing with. After a long moment, she lowered her eyes and whispered, "I can feel your pain, and I can take it away if you like."
I let out a huff and looked at her. "You don't even know where my pain comes from." I released her hand, and she resumed washing me, moving across my chest. Then she began to glow.
Anira's shoulders shifted as she moved to my other shoulder to wash it. "I know that a woman troubles you. I also know that woman is one of my kind," she said calmly, looking up into my eyes as she continued to wash me.
I swallowed hard. I could feel the gold in my eyes intensify as the energy of my magic built inside me. Warmth spread through me as scales began to appear along my shoulders and down my back. I drew a deep breath, releasing an almost primal sound as I felt the dragon within me stir.
"You're play'in with fire, aren't you, Anira?" I growled as I spoke her name.
She simply went about her business, letting her power toy with mine. She was clearly pleased with herself. I could tell by the little shimmies of her shoulders as she moved down to my legs, lifting them one at a time to wash them. Every so often, her eyes flicked up to mine with that victorious little smile.
A moment of silence passed between us as she moved around me, pushing me away from the wall and off the bench. She began to wash my back, then tossed the sponge onto the ledge and delicately ran her fingers along the edges of the scales at the base of my neck.
There was a warmth in my chest that reached down to my groin. This vixen knew exactly what she was doing. My horns began to sprout from my head. She slowly ran her fingers up the side of my neck, through my hair, and onto my horns, unleashing a rush of ecstasy through my body.
Then she leaned in and pressed her breasts against my back, whispering into my ear, "I like to play with fire."
A guttural laugh ripped out of me. "It has been a long time since I've played with anyone, let alone someone like you."
I swung around, pinning her against the side of the pool and placing my hands on the ledge on either side of her. I met her eyes, watching the emerald flecks move within them. My gaze trailed down to her lips, then I lowered my head to her neck and drew in a long, deep breath, gathering her scent.
When I met her gaze again, her skin glowed, and a wicked smile crossed her face. The pleasure she was bringing my body was almost agony.
I lowered my lips to just above hers and whispered, "Do you know where my pain comes from now?"
"Sandra," Anira said, her breath catching as the smile faded from her face. "I can help with that if you'd like me to." With each word, a faint wisp of mist slipped from her lips, swirling between us before drifting toward my mouth. I could smell jasmine and rose petals. Some said the Comaize wore perfume, while others swore it was simply the scent of their power.
I brought the back of my knuckles to Anira's cheek. She leaned into my hand. Her pale skin contrasted against my own desert-tanned skin, now buzzing with a golden hue. Her chest rose and fell, her body lightly brushing against mine with each deep breath. My gaze dropped to her neck, where I could see her pulse quickening beneath her skin.
I swallowed hard, my voice dropping lower. "Anira, I can't give you anything." What she was offering would be worth more than all the gold I had to my name.
Her eyes dropped briefly to my throat, following the movement as I swallowed before meeting mine again. I held the dragon back, not wanting to take the anger I had for Sandra out on the woman before me.
"She doesn't deserve you," she said. "It would be my pleasure." She licked her bottom lip, then continued, "You can owe me a favor."
I turned and sat back down on the bench, spreading my arms along the edge of the pool. Anira pushed away from the wall and faced me.
I couldn't help myself as my eyes roamed over her visible body. I allowed myself a moment to take in her beauty. Her face glowed with her magic, and that bronze hair now had glints of gold running through the curls. Her jawline was soft. I wanted to run my rough fingers along her long neck and across her shoulders. She stood with the water just below her breasts, water still dripping from them.
I sucked in a breath. "My kind live a long time." I had no idea when she would call in this favor, and a long life gave her plenty of time to collect. Still, I reached for her.
She placed her hand in mine, no fear in her eyes, then guided my hand beneath the water and placed it on her thigh as she straddled me. I moved my other hand around her back, lifting her into place and pulling her body close to mine.
She shifted slightly before placing her arms around my shoulders, her hands slipping into my hair as she held my gaze. Blue mist formed around her body and then enveloped me.
She leaned in. I needed no invitation to take her mouth with mine. My hands roamed up her back like the roads in the Badlands.
I lost myself in the mist. For the first time in a long time, the weight of Sandra had lifted.