Chapter 18

Bath time? In this place? That seems like a dream come true, to be honest. I would never have thought, in my wildest dreams, that I'd ever be soaking in a tub like this. Not that I could've conjured up a picture of one like it in my imagination. I'd love to jump in and rinse the day away, just wash away all my cares with whatever is in those pretty bottles... But is it really okay for me to bathe here? I'm used to the streams during the spring and summer. In the colder months, we used a metal tub and heated water by the fire. I don't feel right using this room. I look at Elise, and she raises her eyebrows and thumbs in approval.

"A bath sounds wonderful right now.", I concede.

I'm tired of fighting. I'm filled to the brim with conflicting emotions, frustration, and exhaustion. Frankly, I'm also so ashamed of myself that I didn't hate the sinful rendezvous that just transpired between my master and I, quite as much as I know that I should have. I feel so wrong, so dirty! All I wan