The water burned where it touched her skin. Bruises blossomed purple across her ribs, scratches striped her arms, and every breath sent a new ache through her chest. Audrey sank deeper into the bath, closing her eyes against the sting.
The cold, almost icy water should be soothing to her throbbing muscles, but she wasn't feeling it. At least not yet. She'd barely survived training this morning. One down, thirty more to go. And oh, don't forget the Crescent Trials down the tunnel.
Breath left her in a long sigh. She chose this. Fighting rather than taking the easy way out. She would see it through one torturing day at a time.
The door creaked open a crack. She started, her knees and arms locking inside the soddy water.
"Who's there?"
"Relax, love, it's only your favorite person in the world." Tristan slipped in, face all carefree smiles and cunning.
"You wish."
