.
.
Half an hour later on Heena's side
The bathhouse—no, Heena had to correct herself—the swimming 'pool' was absolutely magnificent.
One of the genuine perks of being Empress.
The space was enormous, easily the size of a small house, with high vaulted ceilings painted in soft blues and golds that mimicked the sky. Marble columns lined the edges, carved with intricate patterns of waves and sea creatures. The pool itself was sunken into the floor, filled with crystal-clear water that was kept at the 'perfect' temperature—warm enough to melt away tension but not so hot that it became uncomfortable.
Soft light filtered in through frosted glass windows, creating a gentle, diffused glow that made everything look dreamlike. The air smelled faintly of lavender and jasmine from the oils that had been added to the water.
Heena floated on her back near the center of the pool, completely relaxed, eyes closed, one hand lazily swirling a glass of wine above the water's surface.
