Page 131 of A Curse of Breath and Blood

“What?” I shrugged.

He pinched his nose. “You need a bath.”

“No.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Let me help you, you stubborn woman. It’s not like I haven’t seen a naked body before.”

The smell of acrid feces rose from underneath the blankets, stinging my nostrils. “Fine.”

Tharan called for attendants who carried in buckets of hot water and scented the bath with rose petals.

My skin prickled with anticipation. Tharan would see my scars. I hesitated, uncertain if I was prepared to be this vulnerable with him.

“It’s ready,” Tharan said, standing in the doorway. The light from the bathing room created a halo behind him.

“Okay.” I held my arms as high as they could go.

Tharan lifted the servant’s smock over my head, exposing my naked body. Instinctively, I covered my breasts.

Tharan’s eyes did not leave mine.

“You are beautiful,” he said, slipping his arms underneath me, lifting my broken body into the air.

Hundreds of candles illuminated the bathing chamber, casting the room in a warm glow.

Sucking in a breath, I winced as Tharan lowered me into the warm water. The pain subsided to a dull ache, resembling a bruise rather than a raging river of fire. Illya’s gift, coupled with the healing elixir, accelerated my recuperation.

Tharan dipped a sponge into the water before carefully lifting my arm to scrub away the mud. Washing me like I was a prized piece of art to be restored, I quivered at his touch.

I bit the inside of my cheek, knowing he saw my shame. “Aren’t you going to ask about my scars?”

Tharan continued scrubbing. “I would ask who did this to you, but I think I know.”

I closed my eyes, remembering the tips of the whips shredding the flesh.

I lowered my head in shame. “I am damaged, Tharan. And I may never be whole again.”

Tharan lifted my chin so oureyes met.

He set the sponge down before taking my face into his hands. “You are beautiful to me, Aelia Springborn. Your scars are a testament to your strength. Wear them with pride.”

Tears welled in my eyes. “There’s something else.” With shaking fingers, I unscrewed the golden stud in my ear. A jagged scar appeared across the side of my face where a blade slit me from mouth to ear. “This is who I am.”

My heart raced. My scars laid bare.

For a moment, Tharan stared at pink flesh.

“Say something,” I said as tears trickled down my cheeks.

Tharan leaned in, kissing my scarred cheek.

My stone heart cracked.

“You are the most exquisite creature I have ever laid eyes on.” He pulled me in for a passionate kiss. Our mouths consumed one another. Any pain I felt diminished by the arousal growing inside of me.

Tharan lifted me from the bath. The cold air pebbled my nipples. Laying me down on the bed, he looked at me lovingly while his thumb rubbed my cheek. “You need to rest, Aelia.”

I didn’t want to rest. I wanted to kiss Tharan until the sun came up.

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