#Chapter 33: Hot Bath

Raven After heating up the two buckets of water in the kitchens, I returned to my room, where Neil was—to my surprise—still waiting. “You carried those by yourself?” he asked, rising from where he was sitting at the end of my bed as I passed by. I shot him a sideways glance as I poured the buckets into the tub. “I’m stronger than I look,” I retorted. “Now get in. You smell like death.” Neil crossed his arms over his chest. “I told you, I’ll wash in the morning.” “No. You’ll wash now,” I said. “You stink like something just crawled up your ass and died. Besides, you can’t go inviting women back to your bed smelling like that, can you?” My words seemed to hit him like another slap to the face, and I quickly regretted what I’d said. The man had only just been searching for his missing fiancée, for Goddess’ sake. I sighed, my shoulders slumping somewhat. “I’m sorry.” I gestured to the steaming tub. “Just get in, will you? I’ll help you wash.”