Chapter 7
There was something extraordinarily relaxing about hot water.
Kalyani reclined in the shallow coral basin, soaking in the water heated by current vents.
She had only ever bathed standing up with water coming from a hollowed shrava stalk overhead, but after soaking in the tub, she never wanted to wash standing up again.
She had been so excited to get in the water that she hadn’t looked at the bathing chamber that closely.
It was directly connected to the bedroom with a door that kept things private.
Another first she enjoyed. The walls were inlaid with pale shell tiles that caught and scattered the light from bioluminescent orbs embedded in the upper wall.
Three small alcoves near the tub held cleansing oils, kelp soap, and sea-herb cloths.
On the opposite wall, at waist height, was a carved coral basin grown directly from the wall.
Its edges were smooth, while the inside was scalloped like a giant shell.
Water flowed into it continuously in a thin, elegant stream from a spout shaped like a curled fish tail.
Above it was a vertical mirror in a pearlstone frame.
Alcoves on either side of the mirror held sea-salt scrubs and additional cleansing oils.
Not far from the basin was a toilet, seamlessly integrated into the architecture. Its elevated seat had been grown from pearlstone, then polished smooth and shaped for ergonomic comfort. She had never seen anything so pretty in a bathing area.
The scents of salt and something light and floral only added to the room’s allure.
She never wanted to leave. Especially now that her belly was full.
She had tried to talk while she ate, but after the first bite, her body had demanded nourishment.
She had stuffed her face, all while Varum sat across from her watching.
Not once had Kalyani asked what she was eating, because she hadn’t cared.
She was starving, and the food was delicious.
The moment she pushed her plate aside, Varum had suggested the bath.
She had been happy to get out of her ruined clothes.
But no matter how great it felt, she couldn’t remain in the water forever.
She had to get out and give Varum everything he needed so she could return home before Rohan realized she was gone.
She wrinkled her nose. How long had it been since the battle? That should’ve been something she’d asked Varum. Kalyani sat up. It had probably been hours, which meant Rohan had discovered that she was gone. He was likely beside himself with worry.
Grabbing the first soap she found, she lathered one of the small towels and washed.
The leaf was still adhered to her side, but at least she only felt it when she touched it.
Next, she washed her hair. It felt so good to scrub her scalp, but she wasn’t looking forward to working out all the tangles.
She really needed to start braiding her hair before she swam.
Kalyani reluctantly rose from the water and found a large towel to dry off. She was looking around, trying to figure out how to drain the water, when it suddenly disappeared. She stood over the tub, inspecting every detail before finally giving up with a shrug.
She wrapped the towel around herself and used another to soak up water from her hair. Unable to help herself, she put a finger in the washing basin. The cool water warmed beneath her touch as if by magic.
“Well, I’m in a Sea Elf city,” she murmured.
Did all elves live like this? She had never asked Farah what the Wood Elf cities were like, but now, she wanted to know if they had the same kinds of things. Kalyani eyed the toilet before walking over and touching it. To her surprise, the seat was warm.
A soft knock on the door made her jump. Before she could respond, Varum’s deep voice came from the other side. “There are clothes for you on the bed when you’re finished.”
She stared at the barrier separating them.
He confused her. Their first interaction hadn’t gone great, but then he had left, only to return and begin again.
That had baffled her, at first. It hadn’t taken her long to catch on to what he was doing, and then she went along to see how things played out.
She still wasn’t sure if he was friend or foe.
When she was sure he had gone, Kalyani walked to the door and turned the pearlstone knob. It opened, allowing her to peer out. She opened it wider, and when she didn’t see Varum, she stepped into the bedroom. The door to the living quarters was closed.
Her head swung to the bed that had been made up, the covers pulled tight.
She raised a brow at that. Varum certainly seemed the type to like things tidy.
At the foot of the bed lay the clothes he had mentioned.
Her mouth fell open at the sight of the finery before her.
She crossed to the bed and immediately reached over to feel the cloth.
The long, soft, turquoise tunic gleamed like moonlight underwater.
The sides had high slits for ease of movement, but it was the neckline, embroidered with pearl-colored thread, that dipped slightly in both the front and back, that drew her attention.
She smiled in relief at the sight of the trousers with their tiny pearl buttons to fasten at the waist. Lying next to the pants was a braided belt of silver kelp fibers.
Kalyani dropped the towel and reached for the tunic, but paused at the sight of a short top with wide-cut armholes.
She thought it might be an undergarment, but the embroidery at the hem and the exquisite feel of the shimmery material made her doubt that.
Then she spotted the matching briefs. Just as elegant as the top, the garment had high-cut legs.
She wasted no time trying on both. The material was even softer once on. She moved her arms about as if she were swimming and was amazed at how much better the top felt than what she was used to. Her hands smoothed over the briefs, knowing they would feel the same.
Her gaze snapped to the clothes. Kalyani slid her legs into the trousers to find that they tapered at her ankles.
The tunic was next. She pulled it over her head, and the material skated down her body to stop at her knees.
She wound the belt around her waist and tied it before hurrying back to the bathing chamber to get a glimpse of herself in the mirror.
She shifted from one side to the other, admiring the color against her skin.
How would she ever go back to wearing her old-style clothes when she went home?
She put that out of her mind as she caught sight of her hair.
Kalyani winced at the tangled mess. She did a quick search, looking for a comb.
When she didn’t find anything, she resorted to using her fingers.
It wouldn’t be the first time she’d had to work through her hair in such a way.
But she had tarried for long enough. It was time to get things underway with Varum so she could go home. Kalyani took one more look at her reflection before walking out to find the Sea Elf.
Varum sat in the largest space of his home.
There were two low, driftwood couches with sea-silk cushions in a deep teal, along with a matching chair.
Sitting between them was a coral table carved like a spiral and inlaid with bits of shell.
Beneath the furniture was a large, circular, teal rug with a silver center design that mimicked a nautilus shell.
Glowing spheres hung suspended from the ceiling by fine cords. The décor itself was minimal, consisting of wall shelves grown from the coral for storing books and other keepsakes she was dying to investigate.
“This might help,” Varum said and held out something to her.
She walked over and reached for what he offered.
It was a comb, but it wasn’t just any comb.
This one had fine, smooth, slightly curved teeth.
When she turned it over, the spine was engraved with delicate wave motifs and inlaid with silver coral threads.
At its center rested a small opaline gem.
She ran her fingers over the smooth, luminous material of the comb.
She didn’t know how something so common could be so beautiful.
“What is it made of?” she asked, still stroking the item.
He studied her before leaning back on the sofa, his arms spread along the back. “Pearlstone.”
“It’s beautiful.”
“Consider it yours.”
She jerked her gaze to him, suddenly wary. “Why give me such a gift?”
“Why not?” he retorted with a shrug.
It would be rude to refuse a gift, and while she wanted the comb, she was also suspicious of Varum.
“I’m glad to see the clothes fit. I took a guess on the size,” he said.
She looked down at herself before slowly lowering to the opposite couch.
Try as she might, Kalyani couldn’t hold his gaze for long.
She didn’t know if it was because the unique color was so distracting or because he unnerved her.
Maybe a little of both. She decided to focus on her hair and began the tedious process of untangling it.
“They do, thank you,” she replied. Then she said, “I think we should begin. Do you need to get something to take notes?”
The silence stretched for long enough that she glanced at him to find his brow quirked. “Do you have that much to impart?” he asked.
She had to be better at thinking about what she was going to say instead of just blurting things out. She had become adept at it with her brother, but for some reason, she was having a hard time now with Varum.
Kalyani shrugged. “There might be something important in what I share.”
“Let me worry about that.”
“Suit yourself.” She winced as she hit a large tangle. In order to reach it, she had to turn her head and twist her arms. “Let me see where the best place to start would be.”
“How about where you live?”
She cut him a look. “Why do you need to know that?”
“My guess is along the coast.”
“I’m sure that was obvious.”
He stretched out his legs and crossed his ankles. “It wasn’t, actually. It was a guess based on how well you swam.”
“You know Shecrish is filled with rivers and lakes. I could’ve learned to swim anywhere.”
“Aye. Of course.”
Something in his voice caught her attention. She paused her combing and looked at him, her suspicions growing. “I have a particular fondness for Trudia. The city is so clean and beautiful,” she lied, waiting to see what he said.
“That it is.”
She dropped her arms to her lap. “There is no city called Trudia. By the gods. You’ve never ventured onto the land, have you?”
He laughed softly and shrugged. “You caught me. I’ve not.”
“How is that possible?”
“How many Sea Elves do you run into?”
Kalyani almost blurted out that she hadn’t encountered any elves until Farah came into their lives, but she stopped herself just in time. There was no need to have him throw that back at her after her outburst. “None. Though I know some are walking around Shecrish.”
“Very few. We prefer to remain in the ocean.”
“Away from the goings-on that the rest of us are dealing with, right?”
His iridescent blue eyes hardened slightly. “Would you care to explain how you’re able to swim to such depths as a human?”