The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

“The faucets at the sink are like the ones in the shower
and tub. The handle painted red is hot, and the blue one is
for cold water. You just turn it— Poppy?” There was a smile
in his voice. “Look.”
Blinking, I pulled my gaze from the shower to watch him
turn the red handle. Water poured into the basin.
“Come.” Casteel motioned me forward. “Feel the water.
It’ll be cold for a few seconds.”
I went to his side, slipping my hand into the stream of
water. It was cold and then cool before turning to lukewarm
and then hot. Gasping, I jerked my hand back as my eyes
flew to his.
The dimple in his right cheek deepened. “Welcome to
the land of hot water at your fingertips.”
Awe filled me. Tawny would love this chamber. She
probably would never leave it, demanding her suppers be
served here. Sadness threatened to creep in and crowd out
the joy, and it was hard to set it aside and allow myself to
enjoy this moment. I started to dip my hand into the water
again, but Casteel turned it off. “Hey—”
He took my hand. “You can play with the faucets and
water all day, but let me take care of you first.”
Looking up, I started to tell him there was no need, but I
saw my reflection and stopped moving, stopped thinking.
It was the first time I’d seen myself since I’d awakened
in the cabin. I couldn’t stop staring, and it wasn’t the
absolute mess that was my hair. Lowering my hands to the
rim of the sink, I stared at my reflection.
“What are you doing?” Casteel asked.
“I…I look the same,” I said, noting the strong brow, the
line of my nose, and the width of my mouth. “But I don’t.” I
lifted a hand, touching the scar on my left cheek. His gaze
followed mine to the mirror. “Do the scars look…less to
you?” I asked because they did to me. They were still clearly
noticeable, the one at my hairline that cut through my brow,
and the other that sliced across my temple, reminding me of