Chapter 20: Broken Sequence
Lan walked slowly into the bathing chamber, letting the rot of the day peel from his body with each step.
The room was warm, fragrant with enchanted steam, its walls carved from pearl-veined stone. A large tub of polished blackwood sat at the corner, faint wisps rising from it, and beside it rested a basin carved from the same wood and inlaid with silver runes.
Above it, a curved nozzle shaped like a serpent’s mouth jutted from the wall.
He reached for it, and the moment his fingers brushed the rune embedded at its base, the mouth gurgled and opened.
A stream of water, crystal clear and faintly glowing, poured into the bowl.
Lan dipped his hands beneath it and splashed it over his face. Again. And again. Water soaked through his hair, matted it down over his forehead, clung to his skin.
He lifted his gaze to the mirror.
His reflection stared back—wet strands of hair hanging in front of sharp grey eyes, pale skin kissed faintly red from the heat. There was a quiet stillness in his face, a hollowness behind the eyes.
He looked like someone between lives.
A breath escaped him, low and tired.
Then he turned and left the chamber, droplets trailing behind him as he stepped barefoot across the marble tiles.
Back in the center of the suite, the fire still crackled in the hearth. Silk curtains billowed softly from the open window.