Across the Divide: (Alitura Realm Book 2) by J.K. Holt

Author:J.K. Holt [Holt, J.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-03T06:00:00+00:00

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Tess missed hot showers. The kind where you turned the tap as far as it would go and let the hot water scald you until your skin turned pink, driving away the deep cold that had nestled against your bones, the pain of the heat both deep and pleasurable. Or the long bubble baths, immersed in the stillness of the liquid that held you as the foam popped quietly around you. Eyes closed, head tilted back, absorbed in the feeling of a strong embrace. Tess used to sit for hours, turning on the tap with her toes whenever the water cooled slightly, reading books while the pages slowly rippled from humidity. She and Maggie had both been bath lovers.

Thus, it was understandable that she greeted the bucket of lukewarm water before her with a groan. With lackluster enthusiasm, she stripped and washed, though the water instantly cooled on her flesh, goosebumps erupting along her arms and legs. Oh, to have a long hot bath. She allowed herself the indulgence of the fantasy for a moment before getting back to the task at hand, painful as it was. She’d hung her sodden riding clothes along a line provided near the fireplace, hopeful that they’d be dry by the next morning. Tess dressed quickly, pulling her shirt over her head, and noticed with surprise that she could feel her ribs as she tugged it down. This short time on the road had begun to wear on her- she was gaunter than she’d been just a week ago. Back when Gowan was bringing her warm scones for breakfast, and she’d sneak treats from the bakery’s leftovers when she was sitting on death duty with a comatose Loren.

She was startled to realize this was the first time she’d thought much about Wharfton, and those she’d left behind. The journey of the last few days, compounded by fears of Loren’s escape or Rosie’s mutiny, had pulled every reserve of emotional energy Tess had. Now, though, as she sat close to the fire and attempted to warm herself, she spared a thought for them.

She hoped Gowan was well, and not beside himself with worry; that Emme and Ashe might be able to grow closer again, and were leaning on each other for comfort. She considered poor Russ and wasn’t sure what to hope for, so instead she thought of his parents, wishing them peace as they struggled with a son devoid of life and the absence of his twin sister. And Tulla- they’d not been the closest, but still, Tess respected her. To have lived her life, losing her husband, and now with her sons in constant peril- well, Tess felt for her.

Dray was more painful to consider. She wondered if he was livid with her for leaving, pulling Rosie and Fish along with her and removing Loren from his grasp. Had it felt like a betrayal? Had he understood? And even if he had, by now he must have been told the truth by either his mother or Gowan.

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