Chapter 17

"Land ahoy!" Alder – who'd turned out to be the sailor Jonah saved during that storm – shouted from the mast, making the whole crew cheer. I rushed to the board, but couldn't yet see anything from a position this low. I hadn't flown after the storm. The weather had calmed down, but the memory of almost drowning was too fresh in my mind. So I'd kept my feet on deck, even abandoning watch duties.

Simmons hadn't said a word about that. Hadn't even apologized over not believing my words. Which was fine with me, since he'd also stopped with the misogynist comments. I wouldn't have to bother with him much longer anyway, if we were this close to coast.

All the commotion had apparently woken up Jonah, who now slept in that cabin only after I'd gotten up. We hadn't really talked after that incident. Which was also fine, since I was still confused over what had happened, and didn't want to think about it.

He had no problems taking flight, and was circling the ship in a matter of seconds. I was tempted to join him, but instead grabbed the board harder.

It still took a few hours to reach Bharat, and the temperature kept rising as the city grew closer. I was sweating buckets. But so was everyone else.

"Will you two be joining us for the return trip?" Aodh asked me.

"How long are you staying?"

"Two weeks at least. Gotta let my men rest after that storm. Might be a full month, if I feel like it."

"Frankly, I don't know."

"Still going after that beast?" He inquired. I'd told the story of Bryaxis one evening. Had apparently caused a few nightmares thanks to that.

"That's why we came." It would be stupid to stop now.

"What's wrong between you and that boy? A lover's quarrel?"

"I already told you –", I started, but my face gave me away. Aodh hummed and smiled knowingly. "You're a real busybody, you know?"

"Where else I'm supposed to find fun on my old days, if not by teasing youngsters?" I didn't bother pointing out that Jonah was older than him. "You should let that boy out of his misery. He's going to lose all his happiness if he keeps sighing and brooding like that."

And just like that, he walked away, not even waiting for an answer.

As if I knew what to do with information like that.

What did he mean 'let him out of his misery'? I hadn't done anything! Technically. It was Jonah who'd rushed out, right? After rolling on top of me by accident. There were no lovebirds on this ship. Jonah was just –

A travel companion. A good friend. Someone who'd saved me multiple times. Someone with a really nice body, a funny way of laughing and a good taste on books.

And someone who'd just landed ten feet away. Mother spare me.

"Why the long face?" He asked, as if nothing had happened. Well, I could definitely live with that approach. It was a hundred times easier than what Aodh had suggested.

"Captain just running his mouth again", I rolled my eyes, and he smiled.

"Did he come to woo you too?"

"He did."

"We're not going?" He sounded like he knew the answer.

It still felt weird. To be the decision maker on this trip. To order him around. Well, order wasn't exactly the right word for it. And he did seem insistent on mentioning his bodyguard duties every time he didn't agree with me. But still, I was the one who'd decided to go, and he'd followed.

"I don't think we'll be able to find Bryaxis within two weeks – or a month."

"Yeah." He fell silent, and we just stood there, listening the buzzling crew as we reached Bharat.

The city was enormous. Blindingly white buildings seemed to create an endless labyrinth of busy streets and courtyards. People here seemed to wear one of two extremes: either reveal as much skin as possible, or hide as much skin as possible. Some wore outfits similar to Night Court, and others were like butterflies, covered in colourful, flowing fabrics.

As we dropped anchor, I could hear people shouting with at least four different languages. A dark skinned official came to have a talk with Aodh, and money was exchanged.

"Off you go then", Aodh shooed us. "If yer not paying customers, don't except to board my ship again."

"I'll miss you too", I grinned.

"And lad, don't you dare get the lass injured on your trip."

"You know I won't." Jonah was dead serious. Me almost drowning would probably haunt him for a while. Which meant he would probably be really annoying once we left the ship.

And without further farewells, we were off. Onto the streets of this unknown city, this country I'd never seen before. And despite Jonah being his usual self and treating everything and everyone as a threat, I could see his dreamer soul sparkling with joy too. This is what our favourite books were all about. Exploring unknown places, meeting interesting people, seeing, hearing, and feeling things we could only dream of before.

Bharat was loud, and hot, and humid. And after leaving the harbour, I realized that the smell didn't come just from the port. Weeks at sea had their price.

"Ahoy travellers! Need a bath? Our bathhouse is open day and night for all your adventuring needs. Just six coppers per person!" A teenager shouted from the corner, then spotted us. "Couples get in with a discount! Ten coppers for two!"

I wouldn't have needed the discount, I'd already changed my course toward her.

"Do wings cost extra?" I asked.

"Uh, no ma'am, we have no policy about that."

"Then, I'd love to take a bath."

"Certainly! Just go inside, Jami at the counter will take you payment and give further instructions. Thank you for your patronage!" We went in through the white curtains serving as a door, and the heat ceased immediately.

A young man at the counter seemed surprised upon seeing us, but I was kinda getting used to that reaction.

"Jami, right? Two for a bath", I placed ten coppers on the table.

"Certainly. Is this your first time visiting?" He composed himself quickly – or maybe the customer service dialogue just came automatically out of him.

"It is."

"Marvellous. Then, please be mindful and wash yourselves before entering the bath. Our baths are made to soothe the aches of long travels or just long days of work. Our customer ratings are top notch. Would you like to enter a private bath instead the public one?"

"It probably costs extra?"

"Just five coppers extra, as it not rush-hour at the moment."

"Private sounds good", I said and added the extra coins. I was already getting stared at thanks to the wings. Being stared at while naked was not on my to-do list.

"Thank you for your business. Here's you key. Door number five on the left corridor", he pointed us into right direction.

The room was easy enough to find, but I stopped dead on my tracks when I opened it. It was beautiful room, with a small pool occupying most of it. The water was misty green, due to some herbs or minerals – I didn't know. Rest of the space was filled with a small washing area, a cabinet for towels and a couple of lounging chairs. But –

"What are those?" Jonah asked, pointing at the showers.

"Showers." But that's not why I was baffled. How was I supposed to get naked in here if –

"That's a word from your language. What does it mean?"

"It's a –" and I realized that Jonah was so curious about showers that the realization hadn't dawned to him yet. "Jonah."

"What? Explain it to me."

"This is a single bath. Meant for two people."

"And?"

"I am not getting naked in front of you."

"I've seen most of you already?"

"That – that's beside the point. That situation couldn't be helped. I'm not going to –"

"Relax", he grins. "I can wait in the hallway – but you need to explain the shower first."

"But does this place have a time limit?"

"I'll take a dip in the ocean if it does."

"This is – argh!" I pull my hair, trying to figure it out. I glance at the water again. It seems dim enough. "Just. Turn around. And if you so much as think about peeking, I swear –"

"Just start stripping, little bird", Jonah says, already facing the wall.

I still double check that the door is locked, and throw a few imaginary daggers at his back before I strip. Because as much as I don't want to admit it, getting a bath is higher on my priority list than caring whether or not Jonah sees a bit more of me than I want him to.

Taking a shower feels like a miracle. It's the first time I've had one after arriving to Prythia, and even if I've been here less than a year, my previous life is starting to turn a bit foggy. Like the memories are collecting dust, a forgotten house I haven't visited in a long time.

The bathhouse has several oils and soaps to use – nothing too fancy since the entrance fee was so low – but I don't really care what they are, as long as they get me clean. I probably take longer than I should, but I really want the remains of salt off my wings.

When I finally step in the bath, the water is even foggier than I thought. Nothing is revealed beneath the surface. It's also rather shallow, and sitting on a ledge beneath the surface covers me up to my shoulders. I take a few deep breaths, wondering what herbs make it smell so calming.

"Your turn", I say finally, facing away from the showers. "Just turn the handles to make the water run – but be careful of the temperature."

"Alright." A sound of rustling clothes, the thumps of boots being dropped on floor. Few clinks, as he probably arranges his weapons in a nice, easily accessible row. Bare footsteps on the floor. The sound of rushing water, and a surprised hiss. I close my eyes, trying really hard not to imagine what he looks like while washing his hair, his wings, or –

The shower cuts off, and his footsteps approach. The water makes ripples against my skin as he enters.

"You can open your eyes now."

I do so, after a moment of hesitation, and try not to stare at his chest that is only half covered by water. Or his wings that look even more beautiful when droplets of water run down them. I clear my throat. "How was your first shower?"

"Pleasant." He seems amused. "Should have been more careful with the temperature."

"Took a cold splash?"

"Freezing."

"On purpose?" I ask, the half-teasing question slipping bast my mental barrier.

"Maybe", his smile turns feral. "How's your first bath in Bharat?"

"Pleasant." I can feel my damned cheeks flushing. "Should have been more careful with the temperature.

"Too hot?"

"Scalding." I avert his gaze, trying not to read the feelings, the need in his eyes. That half-familiar scent starts overpowering the herbs, and we sit in awkward silence until my fingertips go wrinkly.

"I'll get out first", Jonah says, and doesn't wait before getting up. I close my eyes just in time to not see more than I'd had already. He takes a quick shower and starts drying off, not bothering to towel his wings, and just snapping them dry – an insane movement of quickly opening and closing one's wings. A few freezing drops land on me.

"Your turn", he finally says. I go through the same hurdle, glancing his way every few seconds. I've tried snapping my wings dry just once, and learned that it does not work on feathers. Jonah claimed that some folks could do it, and that my movement just wasn't fast enough.

I dressed in my spare clothes – even though they, too, smelled likes weeks at sea – and took a mental not to take some time for shopping new clothes. Or finding a place to wash the old ones.

We returned the key to Jami, and left, ready to explore Bharat.

And continue pursuing Bryaxis.