Forged in Stone - Alyssa Rose Ivy Page 0,48

modernization there’s still no electricity?” I pointed at the large sconce on the wall. She’d left a lit small lantern next to my bed.

“No. I couldn’t bear to do that.”

“Are there matches or anything to relight the lantern if I need to?”

“Yes.” She showed me where a box of matches waited in the nightstand drawer. “But you shouldn’t need these because the lantern will last through the night unless you purposely blow it out. And James will be right next door. He isn’t a sound sleeper. I am sure he will be in here in a second if you need him.”

“Is that supposed to be reassuring?”

She laughed. “Eventually you’ll learn to trust him.”

“You say that with such confidence.”

“I can tell these things.”

“Because you’re the Essence?” I still didn’t really understand what she was, but I’d seen her freeze water with her mind. She was definitely something more than a regular human.

“Partially, but also because your feelings are obvious. The chemistry between the two of you is intense.”

“So I wasn’t imagining the electricity?”

“Not at all.” She stood up. “Sleep well.”

“Thank you, you too.”

“Thanks.” She walked out the doorway and closed the door behind her.

18

AINSLEY

I dug through my bag and pulled out my toiletries and a t-shirt. James hadn’t packed me pajamas to sleep in, but then again I hadn’t given him much time.

I eyed the closed door. I didn’t see a lock so I took my t-shirt and toiletries over to the door I assumed led to the bathroom. I grabbed the candle and hobbled over to the bathroom door.

The bathroom was modernized in that it had plumbing, but the claw foot tub and porcelain sink made the bathroom appear to come from another era. I couldn’t complain. At least the toilet would flush.

The thought of a bath sounded fantastic, but I was afraid of making myself that vulnerable. Sleeping would make me vulnerable too, but I wouldn’t be doing that naked. I used the bathroom and considered my next move.

I pulled off my sweater, fully intending to change when I noticed the dirt on my neck. I was going to have to take a bath.

I turned on the water, hopeful it was warm, and it was. I let the tub fill with the warm water. I squirted in some body wash I found on the counter to create some bubbles and finished undressing.

I winced as I stepped into the tub, but the soothing warm water made it worth putting weight on my ankle. I closed my eyes and leaned back. I took long, deep breaths, trying to relax.

It didn’t work. My eyes flew open. I’d gotten in the tub without checking for a towel. The thought of getting out of the tub into the cold without a towel chilled me. Despite the modern plumbing, the heat left something to be desired.

I tried to forget about the towel and enjoy the bath until I thought of something worse than getting cold. If someone walked in I’d have absolutely no way to quickly cover myself. I seemed to always find a way to take a bad situation and make it worse.

A loud knock on the door made my fear a reality. “Ainsley?” James called out my name from the doorway.

I groaned. It wasn’t his fault. I had asked him to stop by. “I’m in here.” Maybe he’d be the solution to the towel problem.

The door to the bathroom opened. “Oh, hey.” He looked at me and then away, and then back at me.

“Could you do me a favor?”

“Does that favor involve helping you with a bath?” He grinned.

“It involves you finding me a towel.”

“Oh. I can help with that too.” He walked out of the bathroom and returned a minute later with a plush white towel. “Anything else I can help you with?”

“This is plenty. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Finding a towel wasn’t too difficult of a task.”

“Well thanks for that, but also thanks for everything else. For saving me.”

He sat down on a seat next to the tub. I should have been embarrassed about him being so close to me in the bath with only bubbles hiding me, but for some reason I wasn’t. Maybe it was that the only light came from my lantern.

“I only wish you had not run off, but I do not blame you.”

“My life is insane.”

“So is mine. Welcome to the club.”

“Did you find out anything else?” I moved my hand around in the water.

“Not yet. All I did was this.” He lifted his white cotton shirt