The texture is strange. Definitely not as tender as a well-cooked carrot. At least it quells my hunger. Would be better with some salt and pepper and maybe a bit of clove.

Ever watches as if me chewing is the most interesting thing he’s ever seen. “Does the face you are making mean you hate it?”

I wouldn’t say I hate it—not out loud, anyway. “I’m just not used to it.” Still, I eat as much as my stomach will allow and once I’ve had my fill, Ever devours what’s left. It’s hard to believe such a small portion is enough for him, but he insists it is, and an argument seems silly, so I let the issue drop.

“What happens now?” Back in Rosehill, Nia and I would usually spend our afternoon exploring the city or lounging in the sun-drenched garden with books from the library. Here, there is no city, no books, or sunlight.

“Since you already washed my laundry—which I did not expect you to do,” he mutters with a stern look, “we should probably wash ourselves.”

A great idea. I could do with a nice, long soak. “Where is the bathing room?”

His face falls into a frown. “There is a river.”

Surely, he doesn’t mean the river beyond the fire. “Isn’t it cold?” Just looking at it gives me shivers.

“I try not to linger.”

Do I want to bathe in a river? Absolutely not. But I also don’t want Ever feeling like what he has to offer isn’t good enough. Because it is. Life on this side of The Divide is just different and will take some getting used to. Bathing in a river could be fun. Right?

Mischief sparkles in his dark eyes as his smile returns. “If we bathe together, I could warm you up.”

Now, that does sounds like fun.

Ever disappears inside to grab the soap, then takes my hand and leads me to the shore. The river is large but moves lazily enough so there’s no fear of being swept away with the current.

He strips off his trousers and walks straight in without so much as a hitch in his breath. Seeing him disrobed in the middle of the day feels very different from seeing him last night. Heavens, he is magnificent. How could I believe for even a moment that I would be happy with a Seelie husband after meeting him?

With the water kissing Ever’s waist, he twists, sending ripples toward the shore where I wait.

I can do this. I used to swim in the early spring on the mountain when I was younger, didn’t I? This is no different.

“I can boil water if you would prefer a sponge bath instead.”