Depravity, A Beauty and the Beast Novel(42)

“I’m not certain I understand,” I said hesitantly. “How would this clean from within? Wouldn’t the cool water wake the client from the smoke just a little and bring back some of his...” the word she’d used before slipped from my mind a moment. “Aggression?”

“Yes, it normally would. But a man craves a woman’s touch. When we begin bathing him, the sister providing the bath becomes his focus. During this part of the bath, the sister helps release the man’s pent energies.”

Finally, understanding dawned, and the image of the baker frantically tugging at himself under his apron rose to mind. Something must have shown on my face because Aryana spoke gently beside me and laid a comforting hand on my arm.

“I see you understand, and it doesn’t inspire pleasant thoughts for you. What we do is not meant as an act of vulgarity but to bring peace.”

“I understand. This interests me,” I assured them. “Once a man has released his pent energies, then you move him to the tubs?”

Aryana gave me a relieved smile.

“If we are sharing too much information, please tell us. I would not offend our scholar’s daughter on her first visit.”

“Not too much information; just more than I’ve ever had before.”

They both smiled knowingly and led me from the room. I could feel the boy’s eyes on me as we walked away and wondered what things he saw in that room and why they allowed him there.

Ila continued the tour in the main bathing room.

“Since our clients only enter the waters clean, all we need do is keep the water warm and change it occasionally.” She bent, again giving me a full view that I couldn’t help but study, and pulled a large rock from the water.

I wondered what men thought when she did that.

“We heat these rocks by the stove and place them in the water throughout the day and night to keep the water warm.”

The steam curling from the water called me to test it.

“May I?” I asked, stepping forward, pointing toward the water.

Ila nodded, and I dipped the tips of my fingers into the delightfully warm water.

“Oh, that is nice,” I said.

“We do not have clients for a long while yet. We would be happy to send Gen away so you could bathe.”

The tub we owned required a very uncomfortable position with my knees poking from the water. The beast’s tub had been just as big as these, enough to fit two, but I hadn’t been able to enjoy it. If they sent the boy away, I had no doubt I could have a real, uninterrupted bath.

“I...” I wanted to say yes, but what if I misunderstood and they required payment for the use of the bath. Accepting things from the beast had caused me trouble.

“Perhaps another time.”

Aryana tilted her head.

“You wanted to say yes. What stopped you?”

“What do you want in return?”

“Nothing at all. We enjoy the company of other women. As a sister, we usually only speak with other sisters. Not many other women are willing to speak with us.”

“Then I would greatly appreciate it. Though, I’m not sure my father would like it. I would prefer no one mention my extended visit unless he specifically asks.” I wouldn’t ask them to lie.

“We understand,” Aryana said as Ila calmly led the way to the back bathing room.

While Aryana spoke to Gen, Ila quickly explained what I should do. Once they all left, I stripped to nothing, draped my clothes on the pegs lining the wall, and stepped into the trough.

Using the buckets nearby, I wet my skin then used the special scented soap that Aryana had brought down for her own bath. The light, sweet smell made my stomach rumble, reminding me that I hadn’t yet eaten. I lathered my hair, enjoying the heat from the stove as I stood there covered in nothing but suds. Then I tilted the first bucket over my head, slowly rinsing it all away. As they directed, I used the second bucket to ensure I missed nothing.

Nervous, I peeked around the curtain before tiptoeing out and sliding into the first tub with a gusty sigh. The water stung my skin with its heat, but in a good way. I melted against the edge, sinking until my chin hit the water. Delightfully, my knees stayed submerged, too. My eyes fluttered closed.

“Benella,” Aryana’s now familiar whisper drifted to me. “May we sit on the cushions by you while you relax?”

I opened my eyes and nodded easily. These women strove to bring a sense of calm to everyone they encountered. I knew they would do nothing to intentionally disrupt that. And after the way they moved around me, I felt comfortable enough with my submerged nudity to talk to them without shame.

Ila glided into the room with her, and they both sank to the cushions.