The bathwater rippled around Verona's knees, turning warm light into wavering ribbons that shimmered across her skin. Steam gathered lazily overhead, hugging the walls like a sleepy cat refusing to move. The surface was filled with soft pink petals Brielle insisted would be good for her skin.
Brielle knelt beside the tub, sleeves rolled to her elbows. "If the water cools too quickly, I'll fetch more," she said softly, fingers combing through Verona's damp hair. Verona leaned into it without meaning to. Her scalp tingled under Brielle's fingertips, and for a moment, Verona let herself leaned back against the porcelain.
She hadn't realized how stiff her shoulders were until now. How tightly she'd wound herself since arriving at Elric's estate. Even though he tried easing the tension out of her whenever he stayed nearby, she carried her guard like a second spine.
"This will make your hair so soft, My Lady," Brielle said.
