AN: This is the final chapter to be uploaded for this story today (December 4th). So read Chapter 24 'Lying Dilan', if you haven't already.
Katherine loved the feel of the water, although most of the heat had already left. She hadn't been in for an obscene amount of time, twenty minutes or so. Fenris had insisted he prep the bath water for her, essentially making her sit and watch as he poured in potful after potful of hot water. When it had reached his desired depth, he had left her alone in the room. The water had been nothing less than blissful when she had sunk into it.
Now the bathwater was greyish in appearance, but she felt clean for the first time in months. She had had to wash her hair four times to get the clean feeling back in it. I could live in this tub forever, she mused. Sighing, she rose from the water. She grabbed the towel near the side and wrapped it loosely around her body. Stepping from the tub, she quickly wiped the excess water from her body. She then rubbed her hair vigorously with the towel, trying to get as much moisture out of it that she could. Satisfied, she wrapped it around her again, tighter this time.
Katherine picked up the candle near the tub and then headed to the small dresser in the room. On top, Fenris had left a robe for her to change into. They hadn't thought through what clothes she would wear after the bath. The clothing she had wore here was so filthy that she would probably burn it. Placing the robe on, she shuddered a little, wishing it was warmer where it would keep the chill from the drafty mansion out. It was a nice robe, delicate and feminine; A gold brocade with touches of emerald green here and there. Very pretty, but a little short for the cool air, ending a few inches above her knees.
Tying the sash, she peered into the mirror atop the dresser. Her hair never had looked really pretty wet. Letting out a huff of air, she began to ransack the drawers in search of a brush. Most of the contents were little bottles of perfume and lotion. Finally, in the third one she found a shell comb. It had an intricate design and was quite pretty, but it pulled at the tangles in her hair. Growing frustrated, she pushed the comb through her hair faster, ignoring the sting of the comb ripping the tangles out.
Katherine placed the comb done, then stared at the mirror again. She pulled the robe shut a little higher up and adjusted the belt accordingly. Surely Fenris would see her naked in the hour, but she still felt a bit of modesty. It would only be the second time they slept together or saw one another naked. She brushed her wet hair behind her ears, then decided to pull it back around her face. Sighing, she tucked her hair behind her ears again, still not really satisfied. Deciding that was as good as her appearance was going to get, she decided to return to the main room Fenris seemed to use the most.
Fenris was standing near the fire, but turned when he heard her enter the room. He had changed out of his armor into a simple pair of black pants and a dark grey, loose shirt. A wine glass was cradled in one of his hands, though it was nearly empty. "Would you like some?" he asked, holding the glass out.
Katherine shook her head lightly. "No, I'm fine." She took a seat at the table.
"The bath was satisfactory, I hope." He spoke in more of a sentence than a question.
"The bath was heavenly," she replied by default, though she knew those that believed in the Maker did not call their heaven 'Heaven'.
Fenris did not question her choice in wording. "That is good," he said, sitting his glass down on the table. He paused a few moments. "I trust the abomination treated you well." He spoke it as a sentence, but she could hear the definite question there.
"As well as can be expected," she replied. "It probably was for the better that I went with him. I ran out of health potions maybe a month in and his healing helped greatly."
He nodded. "That is good." She watched as he approached her, stopping directly in front of her. He reached out and cradled the side of her face in his hand. "I was worried." Leaning down, he kissed her briefly before releasing her and stepping back again.
Katherine had to smile at his actions, still reveling in the kiss that she had missed greatly while in the Deep Roads. "Well, if you keep kissing me whenever I worry you, I may find myself forever in trouble," she joked softly.
He laughed at that; A delightful sound one did not often hear. "You need not worry me for me to kiss you. All you need to do is ask."
She bit her lip, considering his words. Choosing to be confident, she told him, "very well. Kiss me."
This time when Fenris approached her, she stood up, meeting him. As they kissed, she clutched his shoulders. Then she pushed him into a sitting position of the chair and he went willingly. Once he was seated, she sat on his lap. When the kiss broke, she rested her head on his upper chest. "I like this," she told him quietly, listening to his heart beat.
He didn't answer her, just mumbled something so quietly she was not meant to make out the words. She waited for him to talk next, content where she was. "It is good to have you here," he finally said quietly. She smiled at his words, although she knew he could not see her face. She jumped slightly when his hand touched her leg above the knee. He just rubbed in a calming motion and did not venture under her robe, but her heart still skipped a beat.
Katherine twisted in his lap, where she met his green eyes. She loosely wrapped her arms around his neck, enjoying the warmth of his skin. Her mind was ever conscious of his hand on her leg. She thought she read desire in his eyes, but wasn't sure, so when she spoke she was a bit nervous. "Are we going to stay in the chair forever? Or shall we move to the bed?"
He smiled a little half smile. Bring is free hand up, he grasped the back of her head and drew her to him for a sound kiss. He released her mouth, but held her head close to his. "I think the bed would be more comfortable," he whispered.
When Fenris released her, she stood, waiting for him. He stood, as well, and wrapped his arms around her, then kissed her more thoroughly for several moments. He then took ahold of her hand and led her towards the bed in the room. She followed willingly.