Chapter 2: A Copper Tub with Scents and Oils

I knew she didn’t mean to be so cold. If Marius didn’t have an heir, then his uncle would take over the entire family. She had her future and other children to think about.

I returned home after a day of wandering aimlessly around the village, stopping into the healers shop for scents and oils.

“Welcome Mistress,” Lilith greeted me at the door and ushered me in. “Have you come for soothing tea for your mourning?”

It took a moment for me to register that I was in black for the supposed mourning of my husband. I began to decline but then thought better of it.

“I’m feeling a bit unsettled in the stomach,” I relayed instead.

Her eyes widened. “Could it be a baby?” she asked with a glint of hope.

Unable to lie to her wide eyed optimism, I smiled and gave a modest shrug.

She squealed in delight and hurried to her collection of teas.

“This is just the thing,” she assured me as she wrapped it up.

“I’d also like scents and oils for my bath,” I said, handing her more than enough coin for everything.

In the evening, I poured a drink to steady my nerves. I packed a light meal of sandwiches and fruit, and filled a canteen with water to take back with me to the prison. It was a long time between midnight and dawn. After that, I warmed the fire under the copper tub before bringing in pitcher after pitcher of water to bathe.

I dropped sprigs of lilac and lavender along with vanilla bean oil into the water and doused the fire when the water was hot enough.

I bathed thoroughly, touching myself as I often did when the need arose. I closed my eyes. The image of the foreign prisoner’s eyes locked onto mine burned behind my eyelids. I moaned, imagining the feel of his touch against my skin.

I didn’t mean to fall asleep afterwards.

The water cooled enough to wake me from my slumber. Seeing the darkened skies, I removed myself from the water and threw on a camisole, a thick robe and my black boots with the hooded cloak. I almost forgot the tin of food but hurried for it and a canteen of water. I walked the back path, my face covered by a lace, towards the prison where the guards waited, and brought me to the prisoner’s cell.

This time the man stood tall and he was wide awake. He seemed twice as big as before and I noticed that he was covered only from the waist down in shabby prison pants. Tattoos and etchings covering the right side of his chest traveled down his right arm, but I couldn’t tell their meaning.

“Come back before dawn,” I reminded the guards.

They left us alone, two coins richer.

Lifting the veil, I took off my cloak and hung it over the iron bars carved into the door for privacy. I smoothed a nervous hand over my dark wavy hair as I turned around to look at him.

The prisoner’s eyes traveled over me as I stepped closer to him. Then they zeroed in on mine. Again, a strong sensation in my center shook through my body.

“I know this is a little bit different. But I promise I don’t want to hurt you,” I said, knowing he couldn’t understand. “I just… need you...”

I set aside the tin of food and canteen of water before opening my robe and laying it on the ground in front of him.

I stepped even closer to him. Able to feel the warmth of his body heat, I placed my hand on his chest. He grabbed my wrist fiercely and held me close, clamping his large hands over my throat. His eyes remained on mine as I calmly waited for him to squeeze.

When I didn’t struggle, he looked at me curiously.

“I’m as good as dead either way,” I said.

His grip loosened ever so slightly as he seemed to weigh his options. He let me go, pushing me away from him and motioned for me to leave. My heart sank as I wasn’t sure if he understood that I couldn’t just leave.

“I have to wait for them to come get me at dawn,” I explained, pantomiming my words so he’d get it. “You’re stuck with me until then.”

I picked up my robe and put it back on before taking a seat on the wall opposite from him. He remained silent and standing, looking towards the half moon through his window.

“I guess it was a stupid idea,” I mumbled to myself and he turned to look at me curiously. Tears pricked my eyes. “I’ve been bullied and pushed around my whole life. The only thing I need is… never mind.”

I swiped away the tears and sniffed back my sorrow. My eyes fell to the tin beside my cloak and I moved slowly to retrieve it. He watched me carefully as I opened the box and his eyes widened at the display of food inside. I took a sandwich and a piece of fruit for myself before handing him the rest.

I watched as he ate hungrily, taking small bites of my sandwich before offering the rest of it to him when he’d emptied his portion. His fingers gripped mine momentarily as he took it from my hand. An electric sensation rushed up my arm and I pulled back. Turning to the water canteen, I picked it up and took several swigs before handing it over to him.

He took it slowly looking at me as if trying to decide something. He took a few sips of the water and handed it back. I replaced the cap and set it aside. The excitement of the day caught up with me and I used my cloak to rest my head before falling asleep. A knock on the door woke me to find the prisoner still standing and looking at me. I hurried to put on my cloak and lace veil and retrieved my tin. I handed him the water canteen and he drank the rest hungrily before handing it back.

The guards hurried me back to the house and I gave over two more coins each before rushing to my room in tears of defeat.