He carried her carefully into the bathing chamber, stepping toward the large stone tub filled with steaming, fragrant water. Lowering her gently into the depths, he watched as a shudder of pure relief rippled through her the moment her sore body met the heat. The tight tension binding her exhausted muscles slowly began to melt away.
Kneeling beside the edge of the tub, Silver dipped a soft cloth into the warm water. Slowly, with an almost reverent gentleness, he began to wash her pale arms and shoulders.
"Is this good, My Queen?" he asked softly.
Evangeline was far too deeply relaxed to form proper sentences, offering nothing more than a faint, incoherent hum in response as the warmth lulled her senses.
Satisfied, Silver took a smooth wooden comb and slowly began to work through her long, wet tangles, rinsing the dark strands with meticulous care. He leaned in closer to check her expression—
"My Queen…?"
