Chapter 41

• Lena washed herself quickly, harshly scrubbing away the dyes and dirt and soot of the day, for the water was rapidly losing warmth. Once she finished, she emptied the water and dried herself hurriedly, muscles and bones screaming for rest. She pulled on a plain cotton shift, and crawled into bed before her legs finally abandoned her.
• Erich came back into the room a few minutes later, his expression careful and attentive.
• "Did the bath help?" he asked. Lena smiled sweetly and nodded.