Holy Perdition - Part 12

They returned without a word. Cele refused to look in the prince’s direction, let alone speak to him, and Heiko, Cele figured, spitefully refused to break the quietude himself.

Though, he may have been relishing Cele’s anger, which, to the general’s great dismay, was not well hidden. It bothered him that this bothered him - the thought of someone bathing the prince. He figured it was no different than a slave running a cloth down him, but it seemed it. Especially, when it was Gustaf, who had nothing but soft words and tender touches for the Muse.

They had all seen Heiko naked, his taught body, the pale, untouched skin, the jade of his eyes overshadowing it all. And now he was letting that priest bathe him. Priest of Trochta or not, one would have to be blind or impotent to not stir at the sight. And then to be so bold as to ask to wash him? How blind could Heiko truly be to his intention? Or, perhaps, the question ought to have been how smitten?