“Lord Casitas,” Levi mumbled. “Are you still there?”

Casitas tried to calm himself down but he couldn’t get his cheeks to stop blushing. Instead he remained facing away from her and tried to sound like his harsh self so she doesn’t get suspicious.

“Why are you in here!?” he shouted.

“I thought it would be alright because everyone is at dinner now,” Levi explained. Casitas exhaled loudly because she was right; only this time dinner was cut short and it wasn’t her fault they ran into each other.

“Well, it is done now.”

“I can get out but the water is going to stay hot for a while longer,” said Levi. Casitas notice the smell of the steam. He inhaled and noticed it was faint fumes of a rare black pyre crimson stone.

“Then, I will come back at a later time,” said Casitas as he tried to head out the door. Levi turned around and noticed him leaving.

“Wait!” she shouted. Immediately wondering why she would even bother to stop him. His hand barely touched the doorknob before she made him pause.

“Yes?” he groaned.

Levi found herself fidgeting and blushing herself even more than him. “We could share the bath.”

Casitas found himself nearly choking on the air and without thinking turned over to Levi. The steam was blocking most of her but he was able to see her face looking at him. The water made her skin shimmer, making Casitas almost lost for words yet again. Quickly, he snapped himself out of it.

“Are you trying to seduce me?” he said in such a harsh tone.

“No!” said Levi.

“Then, you are planning to kill me,” Casitas said as he moved in closer. The hate in his eyes was seen even from a far distance.

“That isn’t it!” Levi explained. “I mean that this is a big bath and the steam makes it so we don’t see each other that well. I can go to one side of the bath and you on the other. That way you don’t have to wait and-”

“The water is too hot for me to manage,” Casitas scolded.

Levi looked at him with such a confused expression. “Really? It feels about the same as the first time we met and you’ve been standing here the whole time and you look fine.”

“That is because it cooled down from when it first began I believe,”

“So, is it manageable for you?” asked Levi.

Casitas actually found himself stumped. Waiting for the hot water to refill will take longer and just using what is here to cool down would be the easier option. Still, he was uneasy having a bathing Levi in the same bath as him.

Before realizing it, both Levi and Casitas were in the bath together; both facing away from each other and on either side of the tub. On Casitas' side, with him in it, the water was cooling down much faster; and on Levi's side, the water stayed comfortably warm for her but it wouldn’t last long. There was obviously tension between the two but also the feeling of uneasiness that made them too nervous to turn around.

Levi had no idea on what to say to him, and Casitas didn’t want to speak to her. The two remained quiet for what felt like hours. Levi found herself trying to look at the corner of her eye to see Casitas but was blocked by all the steam. She felt her heart beating out of rhythm as she tried to slowly turn her body to him. The moment there was a small opening, she was able to see Casitas. His long black hair covered most of his back. It was completely dripping wet and draped over his impressively strong back. His thick clothing always hid his body shape but now it was seen that Casitas has a strong body. His biceps were bulging and his shoulders were stiff. As impressive as it was, Levi noticed that Casitas back was covered in battle scars. Each one looked more intense than the last. For a second, Casitas felt himself being watched, he turned his head to Levi. She gasped and immediately turned away.

“What?” he said. “Don’t stare.”

Levi covered her face with her hands. “Sorry. I just noticed your scars. They look painful.”

Casitas turned away from her and placed one of his hands on his shoulder, remembering the pain some of them have caused. “They don’t hurt anymore.”

Levi placed her hand on her left side of her chest. Feeling the trace of her own scar. It was a large stitch that spread from near her heart to the bottom of her right waist line. That memory haunted her as she felt the pain when it first appeared.

“Did you get it in battle?” asked Levi.

“That is none of your concern,” Casitas answered coldly. The silence between the two occurred again. Casitas ran his firm fingers through his hair. Drops of water hit his face, making him exhale. For a second, he slowly peeked over his shoulder to Levi. Her wings were still there as she was petting them lightly to wash them. “I thought Baellon has six wings.”

“We do, I just already washed the other four,” said Levi. He looked closer and saw the open wounds along Levis' back. There were four openings along her upper back that were slowly beginning to heal. It was though her skin was repairing itself as though the wounds were never there. That was when Levi raised her wings above the water, causing a gust of wind blowing towards Casitas. The sound of cracking and snapping of bones echoed; he couldn't help but to turn around. Levi’s wings were retreating into her back. Slowly they went into two new open wounds. Casitas couldn’t help but to watch. It was clear, it was causing her pain but she kept her mouth covered and her tears fell into the water.

Casitas almost took a step closer to Levi but snapped back into reality and turned himself back around. He hated whatever he was feeling right now and tried to just focus on himself. Soon the sounds stopped and he heard Levi breathing loudly. She lightly patted her shoulders to get water running down her back. Faintly, the humming occurred once again. Then another memory lurked into his mind.

There was a girl wearing a thick gold and white coat sitting underneath a dying winter tree. In her hands was a silver flute that she played beautifully. She had her eyes closed and let the music flow out. A young boy watched her play in the distance. The melody felt enchanting and wonderfully haunting, only making the boy want to walk closer and closer to her. That was when he noticed small wildlife creators appeared and started to come closer to the girl -as though they are hypnotized by her music as well. A small dirty brown antlered deer came close enough to rest its head comfortably on the girl's lap. The boy felt his heart beating as he watched the girl. He couldn’t help but to smile at her and see her look so at peace.

“That humming,” said Casitas. Levi stopped herself before Casitas could finish speaking.

“I’ll stop.”

“What song is that?”

Levi softly smiled. “It is sonet I used to know. It can be played as a way to lure wildlife.”

Casitas eyes slightly flinched at the realization. “Are you a Beast Charmer?”

Levi softly laughed. “I guess but I haven’t done such work in a while. I wasn’t really good at it. I could only lure small animals to me.”

The both of them returned to their silence. Levi kept peeking over her shoulder, just trying to get a glimpse of Casitas once again. This time, the steam was fading rapidly, meaning the heat of the water was almost gone.

“You haven’t lied to me once,” stated Casitas. “Why?”

“Because I hate lying,” she replied.

Casitas kept pondering on what to say and for some reason felt like now was a better time to know her. “You’ve been spending time with my mother. What has she told you?”

Levi's mind went straight to Celeste telling her that Casitas is a virgin and started to blush. She found herself twiddling her fingers together. “She told me you aren’t married and her job is to find a suitor for you.”

“I see.”

Levi kept darting her eyes back over her shoulder. “It is strange seeing an unwed Lord. Do you want to be married?”

Casitas groaned loudly. “Don’t ask me questions like that.”

“I would imagine the whole kingdom would be falling at your feet to be with you,” Levi smiled. “I can see you being a good husband.”

Casitas and Levi looked over their shoulders at the same time and for a moment the fog cleared, they were able to see one another. Immediately the embarrassing feeling surfaced and the two turned away from each other like frightened children. As much as Levi wanted to stay in the bath, she decided to stop while things were at a calming pace.

“I never want to get married,” he said. Levi was amazed that he was being so open to her; because of this, she took a chance and pressed on.

“Why not?”

“Because I know I would make a terrible husband and a horrible father,” he said bluntly. Levi desperately wanted to comfort him but she flinched at the thought of it. Even with his back turned she could tell by his voice how troubled he was.

“Then why look for suitors?”

“Just to make my mother happy and occupied,” said Casitas. He found himself feeling much more at ease with Levi. “Levi…”

“Yes?”

Levi turned to him, with hopeful eyes. The moment Casitas was about to speak, he turned to her and saw her face. So much excitement and trusting nature looming around her, he immediately turned back to his cold ways. His face changed to his icy stare and he turned away from her yet again. Levi felt crushed and confused, wondering what changed so suddenly. Still, he tried her best not to let it bother her and try not to trouble him any longer.

“I guess I should get out now,” said Levi.

“Levi,” Casitas said in a booming voice, making her pause. He swallowed hard and turned to her. “My family wishes for you to heal my nephew; but I don’t trust you enough to do so.”

“Lady Celeste told me he was sick,” said Levi as she slowly turned towards him. This was the first time they were able to look at each other eye to eye since this began. Only this time, they didn’t feel flustered toward one another but just felt like two people having a conversation.

“His condition is hereditary. Some people in my kingdom have it as well and they spend most of their lives in healing chambers.”

Levi remained quiet as she gave Casitas her complete attention.

“Tell me. What is the worst that can happen if your healing doesn’t work?” he asked. Levi knew the answer right away but was nervous to speak it.

“Baellon healing cannot cause death, but not done properly it can cause eternal sleep or loss of one's mind,” she said honestly.

Knowing how the states are, Casitas knew he couldn’t risk anything ever again. Instead of replying back, he just turned away from Levi as the last stream of fog faded from the room. The black pebble crumbled into dust in the water. Levi stepped out of the bath and put back on her ring. The warmth protected her as she put on a fresh pair of clothing laying next to the bath. She walked to the door but before opening it, she turned to Casitas who was still in the bath and smiled.

“Thank you for the bath Lord Casitas,” said Levi as she bowed.

Casitas remained motionless as Levi left the room. As the bath grew cold, Casitas once again found himself debating with himself with his feelings. His hand clutched to his chest, trying to calm down his rapidly beating heart.