PENT PASSIO

Gritting her teeth, Shallan stood up and fetched the soap tray for Jasnah, bringing it over

and squatting down to proffer it. Jasnah took the powdery hairsoap and mashed it in her

hand, lathering it before putting it into her sleek black hair with both hands. Even naked,

Jasnah Kholin was composed and in control.

"Perhaps we have spent too much time indoors of late," the princess said. "You look

penned up, Shallan. Anxious."

"I'm fine," Shallan said brusquely.

"Hum, yes. As evidenced by your perfectly reasonable, relaxed tone. Perhaps we need

to shift some of your training from history to something more hands-on, more visceral."

"Like natural science?" Shallan asked, perking up.

Jasnah tilted her head back. Shallan knelt down on a towel beside the pool, then

reached down with her freehand, massaging the soap into her mistress's lush tresses.

"I was thinking philosophy," Jasnah said.