John shook Kalen awake. Kalen had not known when he fell asleep, but woke up tired. He dragged himself out of bed, looking into the mirror on the wall above the wash basin. "Junnie brought up some water for wash'in, but I'm headed to the bath house," John said. "I want to have a good bath before hit'in the trail." Kalen raised a brow but agreed that would be 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 same mirror and watched Kalen, his jaw twitching, his stormy eyes large. Kalen knew that John had had bad experiences in Calharbor in the past. "I know, John, but I think they may have an idea of what is going on," Kalen said in a low tone, understanding the pain. They had been partners for the better part of fifty years. John grabbed Kalen's saddlebag and tossed it at him before grabbing his own. Without a word, John left the room, his steps loud as he headed down the stairs. Kalen shook his head, his golden locks falling into his face. He tossed them back before reaching for his hat and placing it on his head, then headed for the door himself.
The stairs creaked as he walked down them. Coming close to Junnie's door, he rapped on it, 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 Kalen stepped outside. He looked to the left; the road was empty except for John. He was marching his way down the dirt road. At least he wasn't on the wooden sidewalk, or he'd be loud as hell. Kalen followed him down the road and caught up to him at the turn. "I didn't know you were come'in to the bath house," John growled, clearly still upset at the suggestion of going to Calharbor. "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," Kalen said, waving his hand in the air. "And you know they would give anything to get the jump on us." John reached up and smacked Kalen 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. John could never stay mad at Kalen long and Kalen knew it.
When they reached the bath house, it was just as they 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; one would see it on any building and know the owners were Comaize. John rapped on the door, and this stunning woman, wearing a blue robe tied with a darker blue sash, with spotless ivory skin and copper tresses down to her waist, opened the door. "Hello, John." She raised a brow and gave him a sultry knowing smile. Leaning into the door, she said, "It is early, John," her voice soft, dragging out the words. "Yes, Ma'am. We are headed out early and would like a bath before we go," John said, giving his best smile and leaning into the doorframe. "You pay double?" she said, slowly holding out her hand. She lowered her chin, looking up at him with a seductive gaze. John laughed and said in his most agreeable voice, "Jazalyn, darlin', I would pay whatever you ask, as long as my bath is hot." With that, she dropped her hand and let them in, closing and locking the door behind her. "Follow me, John," she said, wrapping her hand around his arm and leading him down the hall. Kalen waited until another woman, just as lovely, came out to get Kalen. Her hair was more of a bronze, but her skin was so light veins could be seen. The robe was a light blue with a dark sash. "You must be Kalen," she stated. Kalen gave a nod. "Follow me," she said, and led him down the hall.
The hall turned from wood to stone, and the baths were built into the mountainside. The walls were sand-colored with a rusty hue. The further back they walked, the louder the sounds of running water became. The doorway was simply blocked by a very dark blue curtain, concealing the view of the room. The woman reached forward and pulled the curtain back gently with one hand. It revealed a room with a large open pool of water sunk into the ground. Water flowed from the wall into the pool, yet the pool never overflowed. Kalen stepped into the room. "My name is Anira. Please," she said, raising her hand to show him where to set his clothes. Kalen walked over to a bench and started to undress. The room was humid and warm. It reminded him of home. Anira walked over to a table and collected soaps, oils, soft washing cloths, and a coarse bathing sponge. She placed a stool by the edge of the pool and set the soaps, oils, cloths, and sponge beside two folded towels. When Kalen was undressed, he walked over and lowered himself into the pool. The water was warm and eased the tension in his muscles. A bench was carved into the wall of the pool, and Kalen sat on it and leaned back. Kalen watched Anira for a moment, his expression distant. He remembered when Sandra was that young and lovely, with her fiery red hair, green eyes, and skin so light it glittered in the moonlight. Looking away from Anira, he closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.
The water rippled as Anira stepped into the water. She had removed her robes to reveal the soft curves of her torso. She had pinned her hair up in a bun, securing it with two metal rods. Her hands reached for the soap and the bathing sponge. "Is the water warm enough?" she asked, moving closer to Kalen. Without opening his eyes, "It could be warmer," he said as his skin shimmered with a golden hue. It crawled up the veins of his hands, along his arms, and across his neck. The water began to steam. Anira's eyes widened slightly. Kalen opened his eyes as Anira placed a hand softly on his shoulder. "These words on your shoulder and arm. What do they mean?" she asked as she began to wash him. Without warning, Kalen turned and snatched Anira's hand. "I only tell those stories to my close friends," he said, staring into her eyes, where she could see the gold flecks moving. "I would want to be your friend," she said, her voice turning sultry. Kalen took his other hand and brought it to her chin, lifting it. "I know of your kind," he said with a slight growl, the corner of his mouth curving upward. Pulling her chin from his hand, she said, "And what kind does the dragon say I am?" Kalen held her gaze with a challenge. After a long moment, she whispered, "I can feel your pain, and I can take it away if you like." Kalen let out a huff and looked at her. "You don't even know where my pain comes from." She began to wash him again and then began to glow.
Anira's shoulders shifted as she moved to Kalen's other shoulder to wash it. "I know that a woman troubles you. I also know that woman is one of my kind," she said in a calm tone, looking up into his eyes as she continued to wash his arm. Kalen's golden eyes were fierce. Any hint of warmth vanished as scales began to appear along his shoulders. He took a deep breath, making an almost guttural sound. "You're play'in with fire, aren't you, Anira?" he said, his look intensifying as he spoke her name. She simply went about her business, moving her shoulders slightly back and forth as she began to wash his chest, meeting his eyes and occasionally looking down with a smile on her face. A moment of silence passed between them as she swam around behind him, pushing him away from the wall and off the bench. She washed his back, then leaned in and pressed her breasts against him, whispering into his ear, "I like to play with fire." Kalen let out a guttural laugh as his horns started to grow. "It has been a long time since I've played with anyone, let alone someone like you." In an instant, he swung around, pinning her to the side of the pool. He lowered his head to the crook of her neck and drew in a long, slow breath, taking in her scent. When he met her eyes again, they glowed green, a wicked smile on her face. Kalen held her gaze, then lowered his lips to just above hers. "Do you know where my pain comes from now?"
"Sandra," Anira said, her breath caught, almost panting. "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 them before drifting toward Kalen's mouth.
Kalen brought the back of his knuckles to Anira's cheek. She leaned into his hand. She took deep breaths, her chest rising and falling, slightly brushing his body with hers with each breath. He looked down at her neck, her pulse quickening. He swallowed deeply, his voice much lower now. "Anira, I can't give you anything." Kalen swallowed hard. She watched his Adam's apple bob with the swallow. Anira looked him in the eye and said, "She doesn't deserve you. It would be my pleasure." She licked her bottom lip, then continued, "You can owe me a favor." Kalen turned and sat back down on the bench, spreading his arms along the edge of the pool. Anira lifted away from the wall and faced him. "What will it be?" Kalen's eyes roamed over her visible body. With a sucked-in breath, he said, "My kind live a long time," reaching for her to join him. She took his hand and placed it on her hip as she straddled him, placing her arms around his shoulders. Blue mist formed around her body and then enveloped him. She leaned in and placed her lips on his. His hands roamed up her back, pulling her into him. Kalen was lost in the mist, and for the first time in a long time, the weight of Sandra had lifted.