Page 36 of Destined Paranormals: Volume One

“Oh, yes. I thought you said you had to heat it,” I said as I hurried to the other side of the room.

Egon pushed the door open, then moved out of sight before returning. He had two large cauldrons full of steaming water. I tried to reach for one, but he shook his head.

“No, I have them. You go to the shelf there and grab the blue bottle.” Egon indicated with a nod of his head. I did as he’d said and carefully picked up the blue bottle. Egon was dumping the steaming water into the tub when I returned. I held the bottle, not quite sure what I should be doing with it.

“I’ll get another hot one as well as two cold ones, and it should be about ideal. That is, if you prefer your baths warm?” Egon said with what I would consider a hopeful look on his face.

“I do, yes. I am not overly picky though. I will bathe in a river if it’s what I have.” I glanced around the room. “This is all a luxury that I haven’t had the privilege of experiencing before. We had a small tub that we used to wash the clothes with. It didn’t allow for soaking. Not really.”

“I’m still not quite sure how Aleric got this back here for me, but I know Ferdinand had ordered it the time before for me. He often has a surprise or two for me when he comes back from his trips.” Egon grinned. “I’ll be back with more water. Put a few dribbles of that oil in the water.”

I stood there as Egon disappeared out the door. It took a moment for me to completely process what he’d said. Aleric took trips. I wondered if he would be leaving anytime soon. I knew he and Ferdinand sold the hides from the meat they caught and ate.

Deciding to worry about that later, I opened the bottle and took a sniff. It scented of lemon and lavender, and I did as I’d been instructed. After a few dribbles were in the water, the scent quickly started to permeate the air in the room. I grinned. That was a nice scent.

I was looking at the bottles that were on the third shelf. There were bars of soap as well. I picked one up and was scenting it when I heard someone at the door again. I saw Egon over my shoulder. He dumped a third steaming cauldron of water into the tub, then added another that I was sure was cold as it didn’t steam when he poured it in.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to help?” I asked. I felt terrible just standing here while he was doing all of the work.

“I do not need your help. I appreciate the offer though. I had two of the waters heating already. I started them when Aleric and Ferdinand left because I figured you would like a soak. I know I would if I were in your position. I remember that flight across the ocean.”

“Thank you.” I didn’t know what else to say.

“I’ll be back with one more cold water, and then it should be ready for you. There is soap for your hair in the opaque white bottle that was beside the blue one.”

“Thank you,” I said again. I was being repetitive, but I had only met Egon very briefly the day before. I would feel so much more relaxed if Aleric were here. But Egon had been nothing but welcoming, and I knew he was trying to make me feel as if I belonged. I hadn’t yet talked to Aleric through our bond, so I didn’t know what he had shared with his fathers, if anything. It was something I would do once I was in the tub and relaxing.

I picked up the white bottle, as well as the bar of soap that had scented nice. It wasn’t just plain lye soap, that was for certain. I would have to ask Egon about it once he returned.

I placed the items next to the tub and pulled my shirt off over my head. I draped it over the back of the chair and was just pushing my trousers down when the door opened again. Egon came in and dumped the water in the tub.

“Would you check the temperature and tell me if it’s to your liking?”

I tossed the trousers next to the shirt and stuck my hand in the water. I swirled it around and was unable to keep the smile from my face. “It’s going to feel amazing.”

“Good. You get in and soak for a bit while I get you something to eat.”

I tried to argue, but Egon wasn’t having it.

“I can wait.”

“Nonsense. Aleric said you would be hungry when you woke. I assured him I would take care of you. He didn’t want to leave you, but there are new shifters in the area, and Ferdinand wanted to show him where.”

“New shifters?”

Egon nodded. “Get in and we’ll discuss it while you eat. I’ll tell you about us, and you can share whatever you feel comfortable with sharing with me.”

Egon grinned, then was gone. I watched him go before I sighed and carefully stepped into the tub. The water was hot, and when I sat down, I moaned. It felt amazing, and I quickly leaned back and closed my eyes. I could certainly see why Egon soaked often. This was so nice.

“Aleric?”

“Good morning, Konrad. Did you sleep well?”

“You should have woken me. I fear your omega father believes me to be a layabout who needs to be catered to because I expect it or something.”

I heard chuckling through our bond. It came out as a deep rumble of his dragon though, which told me that Aleric was in his scales and most likely flying.

“Da thinks no such thing. He remembers what it was like to be pregnant in the early days. He also knows that we had a very long flight and how difficult that can be. Why would you think he felt that way about you?”