Chapter 24

Ursha leads me through a maze of corridors, past several rooms I haven't seen before. I haul my backpack over my shoulder. A few orcs glance my way, but I don't complain.

Ursha gave me two minutes to change and put my boots on. Now she's going to let me bathe.

The air grows warm and humid as we approach a set of large wooden doors. Muted voices come from the open crack. Ursha pushes them open and mist envelops us.

My eyesight clears and holy crap, there are two enormous pools in this room. The closest pool steams with hot water, while the other has a steady stream flowing in from a hole in the farthest wall. Maybe coming from a river? The high ceiling has these little windows to let out the steam without freezing the inside. Stone benches and high hooks line the walls.

I expected stalls like a gym, but hey, at least there's hot water. Lucky for me, I packed a swimsuit after leaving New Obernzell. The first thing I did after leaving was to visit the ocean, after all. I step further into the room, searching for the changing area.

Ursha turns to face me and juts a thumb over her shoulder. "Let's put our clothes there."

I glance over her shoulder, searching for the changing room. There's nothing but more benches. Which means…

I swallow. They change in the open, of course. This whole experience can't get more embarrassing than this.

"Mm, okay." Is Ursha wearing a bikini underneath? Was she expecting to bring Eirik here? Or maybe orcs have special underwear that can get wet? "What should I wear?"

The way she smirks at me says it all.

In the back of my mind, I know the answer. The problem is—I hate it. I hate the answer, and I hate that I'm right. Squeezing Eirik to my chest, I glance sideways at the pool.

There are, at least, a dozen orcs lounging in the closest one. From all genders and ages, some are bald, others have long braids, and all have green skin and tusks. All very naked. Very muscular. Very much staring at me.

Of course.

I clutch Eirik tighter to my chest, as if he could shield me from their curious gazes. Am I really going to strip in front of all these orcs?

To my surprise, the majority lose interest pretty fast, returning to their conversations. I breathe a little easier.

Just a little.

Of course orcs bathe together. They dine together, and Thorn is all about the clan and pulling my weight in the city… They're all for this community thing. I sink my teeth into my lower lip.

Ursha smirks at my discomfort. "What's the matter, human? Never seen a naked orc before?"

"Actually, no." I clear my throat, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity as I stare back at Ursha. "Where I come from, people don't bathe together. Naked. In public. There are places, but... not where I come from."

She snorts. "Humans are so prudish." She hisses the last word as if that were a terrible fault. She gestures toward the pools. "You don't have to worry. No one will give a shit. Let's just say that... you're not the beauty standard."

I narrow my eyes at her. "Joke's on you. I'm not the beauty standard back home either." No, wait. This isn't an offense. I clear my throat. "It doesn't change that I'm not comfortable stripping and waltzing into a pool with strangers."

Ursha shrugs. "That's what we're offering." She shows her hands. "Here. I'll even take Eirik from you." That's how nice I am, I can read fine between her words.

I stare at the water, then back at her. The water looks great, but... Is she serious? I can't possibly undress and bathe here, in front of all these strangers. In front of her. No, I couldn't take Ursha mocking all my faults.

Pushing down the knot in my throat, I try to hide how she makes me want to cry. Deep breaths, Violet.

"I don't think I'm quite ready for that yet," I say, trying to sound reasonable. "Baby steps? Perhaps I could have a private bath first? Just until I get more comfortable?"

Ursha rolls her eyes, propping her hands on her waist. "There are no private baths here. Don't be such a coward."

Anger flashes through me. How dare she call me a coward? I'm trying my best to adapt to this strange new world, and all she does is mock me.

I take another deep breath. Now that I'm close to the pools, I'm salivating over a bath. I need Ursha on my side this time.

"Ursha. I promise I'll work on getting used to the public baths. But for now, I'd really appreciate some privacy. Please."

She crosses her arms, unmoved. "No. You'll bathe here, like everyone else. No one is interested in your scrawny little human body."

I could have never guessed someone would call me scrawny, but that doesn't soften the blow. It doesn't matter. I won't give up now.

No matter how much Ursha looks like she wants to drown me.