Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Seventeen: Iridescent

"I am Karí, and this is Nearí, my lady."

"I am unaccustomed to the elven way of life, and I hope you can help me adjust to this change. First things first, I need to get clean, I feel like I rolled in the dirt with a horse." I said with a slight grumble. "I may travel with male company, but that doesn't mean I have to smell like it."

A small smile appeared on their faces before the bowed their heads.

"Of course, I will draw you a bath while Nearí helps you out of your traveling clothes," Karí said with a bow before disappearing into a room to the right. I started loosening the leather cord that kept my wrist guards on while Nearí started to unknot the leather corset in the back.

"Is your right arm your sword arm?" Nearí asked as the layers of leather that acted like armor were peeled off.

"Unfortunately, yes, it is."

"Karí and I will adjust your wardrobe to suit your current condition better my lady. I can tell you are concerned with your arm. Please do not worry. We are grateful that you managed to return alive, it matters not if you can't use that arm."

I shrugged of clothes until I was just in my basic tunic and pants.

"Would you like me to take off your necklace?" My left hand went to the necklace.

I gingerly undid the knot and held it in front of me. The leather still looked intact.

"This necklace has great importance to you, doesn't it, my lady?" I sighed before handing it over.

"Yes, it does. I am afraid that I'll wear through the leather at some point."

"Your bath is ready my lady," Karí said while gliding into the room. "I think you might want to take this off."

Karí lifted my forgotten crown off my head.

"I completely forgot that I was wearing that," I muttered before heading into the bathing area. Steam was wafting out of a wooden tub that sat in the middle of the room. I pulled my tunic and pants of before stepping into the tub and relaxing at its warmth. "I think I almost forgot what hot water feels like."

I hugged myself while resting my head on my knees. I had a lot of work ahead of me, and it wasn't going to be comfortable with my shoulder. Nearí and Karí both helped speed up my cleaning process. One washed my extremely long hair while the other transformed my turned my rough skin into soft, supple skin.

After my bath, I was given a nightgown made of the softest material I had ever felt. The straps were thin and let the soft breeze flow across my shoulders. My black hair was brushed into one long braid and Nearí, and Karí had even prepared a small bath for Alethea.

"You two are spoiling us," I commented as Alethea flew around the room chirping with happiness. "I think we'll be fine for the night, thank you for the help." The two elves bowed before quietly leaving the room.

I walked over to the balcony like area and looked down. I was pretty high up off the ground, perfect. Alethea shot out of the room as I launched my body over the side of the railing. I wrapped my arms around Alethea's neck as she grew to her full size and started to coast around the city.

"You can try and get some sleep while I stretch my wings."

"Wake me up if you need anything, Lee," I responded before closing my eyes and resting my cheek against Alethea's scales.