Attention: I have recently made time changes to chapter 6 and 9. You might want to read them for better clarity but basically an undetailed week has passed so that Zalean's stay is actually longer than previously.
From the tap poured water that warm and scented from the bubble bath within. A tingling sensation licked across Zalean's skin as she lowered herself into the soothing tub. Leaning back against the sides of the bath, her muscles seemed to exhale all at once in a sigh as they melted into place. Her breasts, like two pink tipped mounds, watched over a torso that lay distorted by the water; a torso that was long and taunt with muscles, toned to perfection by her profession. The round of her butt showed youthful firmness, and the triangle between her legs dark like her head. Her legs that perched on the rim of the bath, with water droplets cascading down, showed beauty, while hiding how many times she had spread them. All was covered by olive tinged skin.
Taking a deep breath Zalean held it till it stilled in her lunges, then she slid down completely submerging herself in the water. She had decided to find the Priestess; she had decided that no matter what, she would find the one who could actually answer her questions. The only problem was, how to avoid Dorothea's ever watching eyes. Despite the lurking matron figure she had to escape, and find some answers.
It was the dream that was pushing her towards this goal, and further and further into insanity. The dream had reoccurred once again, only this time while she was still awake. Without Jolouque nearby she had surprisingly felt desperate, and alone. So she found herself in the bath distracting her from the impending doom, as night beckoned to her with sunset as did the dream.
A light buzzing had filled her ears so she emerged from beneath the water. Releasing her lungs she filled them up slowly, amazed by how her heart leapt into action. Now refreshed she reached for the drain and pulled it. The water swirled about, empting itself bit by bit until Zalean was left exposed. Grabbing a soft yellow towel, she stepped out of the tub, and wrapped it about her. It was only when she crossed the threshold into her bedroom did she sense the disturbance, and noticed the figure on the bed.
Jolouque's eyes were glazed over, and his jaw set tight leaving his mouth in a thin line. Emotions emitted from him, rolling over her and through her as a knot formed in her stomach. "Jolouque, what are you doing here?"
Knowing that he wasn't here just to watch over her like before, she decided to take things cautiously. The fact that she was in a towel did not help the problem; it only made her feel self-conscious. She knew he had seen her before but the awkwardness still remained.
"You'll catch a cold." As if reading her mind, he gestured to her lack of coverage. Crossing the room he unbuttoned his shirt and offered it to her. The fake smile that brushed his lips made her back away, this wasn't the Jolouque she had come to know. This was only a shell of his former self.
The fabric she found beneath her fingers, as she accepted the shirt, was silk and she loved the touch. Pulling it on she buttoned it up before letting the towel fall in a pool beneath her; the length of the shirt hid all she wanted to hide. It at least covered more than the towel. "What is wrong?" She didn't like the look in his eyes, the cold hard gleam sending shivers down her spine.
"It's that bitch, Dorothea." The pure malevolence that peaked in his eyes could have devoured her, but it changed from anger to sheer terror. "She punished him because of me. He was innocent, yet she..."
His voice cracked and tears filled his eyes, shocking her into silence. They spilled down his cheeks, salting his lips as a moan escaped from them. He was shaking uncontrollably; his pale face was distorted with pain. Zalean feared the answer but she had to ask. "What- what did she do?"
His hand shot out from his side like a snake striking its prey. It wrapped about her throat, slamming her against the wall behind her with a thud. Breath left her as she struggled for release; it seemed that she had hindered her own breath beneath the water, only moments ago, but this was different.
"She shaved him." Speaking through clinched teeth he seemed unaware that he held her by the throat. "She took from him the ability to service his Queen, but it is more than that. He was young and his whole future was taken by the dull sawing of a knife! No court will ever except him now, he is destined to live the backwater streets a Brother of the Quill!" Terror had passed into sympathy, as Zalean watched this strong display of emotion. Jolouque shook with gilt, "And it is all- my- fault."
The beaten Warlord hung his head, the tears now flowing without restraint. Tentatively Zalean grabbed the forearm that held her, and applied enough pressure to let him know she was there. He looked up at her, his golden orbs stained with so much sorrow and pain; he dropped his arm, releasing her.
When her breathing returned to normal, and she was able once again to talk, she muttered the words, "I don't believe you."
Jolouque looked up questionably and she felt a renewed confidence at his interest. She continued, "Dorothea is evil, it wasn't your fault. You've done nothing. Dorothea was the one who made the call not you, and there is nothing you could have done to change it. You aren't the one who held the knife."
"But if I hadn't… then it wouldn't…" Jolouque was in agony from the memories that she couldn't see. He tried to make her understand that all the blame did fall on him, but she wasn't going to let him think that way.
"No. It wasn't your fault." Carefully, Zalean raised a hand and wiped away a new tear about to form. Standing on her tippy-toes she kissed his damp check, then took his hand and lead him to the bed. As she pulled back the covers he stiffened slightly eyeing her with awe. She forced him to lay down and crawled in after him, letting her bare thigh rubbing against his clothed one.
They lay there facing each other, silently taking in the other's eyes. Jolouque was the first to move as he innocently brushed her cheek, tucking a stray hair in place. Child like he nudged his head around, until finding a comfortable place against her chest. Zalean found herself wrapping his arms around him, one hand splayed across his chest the other entwined in his gossamer hair. Soon his breathing became steady, signaling that he was asleep, and his comfort lured her to a dreamless sleep.