Chapter 44

Rosalie

The water hit my skin like shards of glass running through my veins.

Wincing against the pain as Alexander holds me and gently lowers me into the water. I try to clamber away from the torture, but he holds me firm, whispering words of encouragement to me. I could barely hear what he says, the pain is all I can think about.

“It hurts.” I cry out, trying to break away.

“I know, but this is the quickest way to warm you.” His words were soft and brushed through me like a gentle caress. I look up at him through my teary eyes and try to relax back into the bath. My whole body spasming as the intense heat engulfs me.

Eventually, the pain begins to ease, and rather that the feeling the two extremes of hot and cold all at once, my body temperature begins to rise, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I could feel my fingers and toes again.

I look down at my body, noting how my fingernails were caked in mud,