Chapter 94

  Present Day

  It was, Yelena thought, the bathing chamber of a king. The bath was the size of a pond, sunken into the floor with steps leading into it, and the water glowed green-blue due to the iridescent glazed tiles’ that were shaped like fish scales. Elaborately carved screens gave the bath privacy from the servants that moved behind them, laying out drying cloths and clean robes.

  A bath attendant in an almost sheer shift carried a tray with the familiar bottle and tiny cups of Irinathe, whilst two others hurried to help removed their robes. Macedius accepted their hands upon him unbuttoning his robe and lifting it from him with utter indifference, accustomed to such things, but Yelena blushed and fumbled the buttons open herself.