Change of Darkness (The Change Series Book 3) by Jacinta Jade (best new books to read txt) 📕

True, she still had to work out exactly what it was that she wanted, now that she could really decide for herself. But this was a matter she could sort out after she had heard Chezran’s plan for Kaslon.

Her body now free of the soiled cloth, she let the wrappings slowly tumble from her hands, the cascade of slim material falling about her, and then faced the steaming bath, naked but for the necklace about her neck.

The vital accessory would not leave Siraay’s throat, whether she was in this form or in one of her animal forms. Even if she Changed into, say, her sevonix form, the necklace would stay a part of her in the same way her clothes did; it would just be momentarily invisible. Thus, she would never have to risk being separated from the influence of the necklace.

Carefully lifting a leg, Siraay dipped her toes into the water, and a wave of pleasant goose bumps rose across her flesh as the water embraced the sensitive skin of her feet. The temperature was perfect—hot enough to wash away the stink and feel of the soldiers’ training she had been forced to endure the past days, without actually scalding her.

She let the same foot and leg slide into that cleansing warmth, her toned limb carving the water gracefully. Firmly planting that foot, Siraay lifted her other leg and brought it in to join the first, the warm water reaching up to her thighs. Then she began to descend the submerged steps into the bath, sighing happily as her body sank beneath the scented surface.

The bath, if you had to use the name, was truly more of a small pool, and Siraay swiftly found that a person could float on their back quite comfortably without touching the marble sides. And if she went a bit deeper, just before the spot where the edges of the bath touched the wall, she could actually tread water, her feet clearing the bottom by at least a couple of handspans.

Movement in the water drew Siraay’s attention to the bathing controls on the side of the marble wall, and a rapid examination pleased her. Like the rest of the room, the technology in use was refined and subtle, and camouflaged vents whose settings could be adjusted constantly circulated the bath water, keeping it warm and clean.

Siraay sighed again happily, dipping her head beneath the clear surface in order to wet it thoroughly, then she lifted herself up once more, water running down her face and streaming from her long, slicked-back hair, which was darker with its soaking.

Blinking a couple of times, Siraay made her way slowly to the bath’s edge and examined the range of cleansers that had been laid out for her, scenting each round ball in turn. One of them made her pause—not because she actually liked it but because it seemed to stir something else in her. It was one of the lighter-coloured balls, pale, with blue specks appearing now and again on its surface. Siraay held it before her and deeply breathed its scent in again. It reminded her of dew upon grass, its sharper notes of fruit mixing with the deeper notes of carmitan leaves.

The image of a mountain appeared in her mind, clouds shifting to reveal it, a pleasant voice accompanying the image.

Siraay scrunched up her nose, holding the ball away from her at arm’s length for a moment before she flung it away from the bath.

She turned her attention to the rest of the cleansers. After scenting a couple more, she lingered over one, this ball coloured a deep, warm pink, with darker swirls through it. Siraay breathed in its aroma. Heavy wood scents enveloped her, along with spicy notes and the sweetly rich droplets one might put in the best nectar drinks.

Satisfied, Siraay moved away from the edge of the large bath and up its steps a little, taking the cleanser with her. There, she applied the ball to her skin, working it in until it became a lathered paste on her body, and focused on rubbing away the muck that coated her.

When Siraay felt she had scrubbed herself nearly raw, she moved back down the steps and submerged herself again, letting the cycling water whisk away the dirty suds from her body. Then she repeated the entire process again, also lathering her hair.

After that, she remained submerged in the warm water for a time, her hands supporting her body as she reclined upon one of the lower steps, her legs floating out before her.

She was still luxuriating in that position when a knock sounded at the door, and a soft voice called through to her.

‘It’s Trelar, my lady, with your refreshments.’

‘Enter,’ Siraay called back.

There was a soft click as the door opened, and swivelling her head, Siraay saw Trelar slip into the room, carrying food and drink on a tray.

As the servant settled the refreshments on the small table near the centre of the room, Siraay stood and began climbing the steps to exit the bath.

By the time she had reached the top step, Trelar was there, ready with a soft towel. This Siraay accepted from her as she stepped from the water onto the cool black stone, patting herself dry while Trelar crossed to the hidden closet and returned with a dark robe.

The light in the room had shifted slightly during the time Siraay had been soaking in the hot water, and she appreciated the warmer tones of the light as Trelar held out the garment for her.

Siraay slid her arms into the sleeves of the robe, the material of the garment folding about her like a soft caress, the silken cloth wonderful against her freshly scrubbed skin. She pushed the long, damp strands of her hair away from her neckline to lay flat against her back, and descended the steps from the bath feeling relaxed and content, although the state of bliss was quickly forgotten when she saw the