Page 48 of Empire of Flame and Thorns

The short hallway opens up into a large chamber. The majority of the floorspace is taken up by a massive sunken bath. White stone steps lead down into the water, and then the pool spreads out in a rectangular shape. Water runs down in a soft waterfall on my left, filling the bath, and the excess water then flows out over the bath’s right wall, which is lower than the others. That way, the water is always kept fresh.

In here, the soft white faelights have been allowed to remain. Probably because it would be difficult to keep torches alive in a room with so much water and humidity. The gleaming light reflects against the sparkling water, casting glittering reflections on the walls.

I smile at the deserted room before me.

Perfect. This is just what I need.

I hurry back to the dressing room and quickly strip out of the robe I’m wearing. Since I wasn’t sure if there would be other people here, I didn’t want to bring my own clothes or my knife. So I just put on one of the fluffy white robes that we have beenprovided for this exact purpose. But it appears as though I might have been overly cautious.

Still, you never know.

After stripping down until I’m completely naked, I pad back to the bath area.

The water glitters invitingly before me.

Walking towards it, I move until I’m standing on the first step down and then dip my foot into the water. A rush of pleasure washes through me. Just like the bath in my corridor, the water is the perfect temperature. Not too cold and not too hot.

With a smile on my face, I walk down the steps until everything except my head is submerged in the warm water. A moan slips from my lips. Leaning backwards, I float on my back while lazily stroking the water with my arms.

Only the sound of softly rushing water fills the room. It drowns out all other sound and leaves me feeling as if I’m floating in a peaceful eternity.

I heave a deep sigh.

This is exactly what I needed. A way to silence all of the doubt inside my head. A way to forget all the mistakes I’ve made. A way to get myself in the right headspace so that I can focus solely on winning the next trial tomorrow.

While I float there, I try once again to guess what the next trial will be. But it’s impossible to know. Even Kevlin, who has done this two times before, says that it’s different every time. It might be another battle type trial. Or something that requires more stealth. I sincerely hope that it’s stealth, since that’s right up my alley.

It’s insane that the fae resistance hasn’t utilized me more. I would make the perfect spy. I can deescalate conflicts before they happen. And I can create them too, as distractions or as a part of a longer manipulation mission. I could do so much forthem. And yet, all these years, they’ve kept me stuck on lookout duty.

Pain stabs into my chest and squeezes my heart. I’ve tried so hard to prove myself. To the resistance. To my parents. To the friends I should have had. But no matter what I do, everyone always keeps me at arm’s length. As if they think I’m going to… what? Take advantage of them? Force them to like me against their wishes?

It’s ridiculous. Just because Icanmanipulate people’s emotions doesn’t mean that I go around doing it at random. Just like Isera doesn’t throw blocks of ice at everyone she meets just because she can. But it’s as if there’s suddenly this huge difference just because my powers are of the mental kind rather than something physical that people can touch, or at least see.

My heart clenches again, and hopelessness washes over me. How am I ever going to make them accept me? It has been over a hundred years already and?—

I sit bolt upright, slamming my feet back down on the floor of the bath and standing up straight.

No. What the hell am I doing? I came here to clear my head. To calm down and reset my mind and get into the right headspace. And what am I doing instead? I’m spiraling into yet another fit of self-pity.

I slap the surface with my hand and scowl at myself. Enough. Enough moping. Enough self-sabotaging. The second trial starts tomorrow. I need to be focused. That’s how I’m going to change my life. Change how people see me. Change my future. The future of all fae. I’m going to win.

Water sloshes around me as I stalk back up the steps and out of the bath. Since I apparently can’t trust myself when I’m alone with my thoughts, I might as well head back and simply go to bed. Sleep shuts out the destructive thoughts and at least helps give my body more energy.

Drops of water run down my naked body and soak the floor as I stride back to the changing room. I round the doorway with determined steps, heading straight for my robe.

But then slam to a halt.

Dumbfounded, I blink at the empty shelf where I put my folded-up robe. I give my head a firm shake and then turn to look around the room. Did I put it somewhere else?

Only empty shelves and equally empty benches stare back at me. Even the few spare towels that were sitting on some of the shelves are gone.

My mind spins.

Then I spot it. A piece of paper lies on the empty shelf where my robe used to be. I move towards it. Water drips down my legs.

For some reason, I don’t dare to touch the paper. So instead, I just lean forward and read it while leaving it there on the stone slab.

Did you really think that I wouldn’t see you sneaking away to another bathing chamber? I see everything. And don’t even try to rat me out to Draven about this. I haven’t broken any rules. I haven’t physically harmed you. Only humiliated you. Best of luck, Soulstealer.

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