Sharna woke the next day feeling refreshed. She had slept deeply and without any dreams. The sun was barely up and Gogo was still asleep but Sharna had too much energy to stay in bed for another second.
Luckily, Quinn had returned while Sharna was brushing her teeth alone in the bathroom the night before. Sharna had let Quinn in through the window and quickly hidden her in the pocket of her nightie.
They had both been too tired to discuss Quinn’s findings last night, and when Sharna peeked in her pocket this morning, she found that Quinn was still fast asleep.
Last night, after dessert, Gogo showed Sharna how to use the shower and sauna downstairs. The sauna backed on to the kitchen and both used the same power source, so the sauna was available for most of the day. Marjorie started her baking early and Sharna decided that a sauna and shower would be a pleasurable way to start her day.
Sharna had enjoyed daily saunas for as long as she could remember. In the area near the Shadow Mountains, they were considered to be mystically potent; cleansing for both the body and soul. She didn’t know exactly what she believed about them, but knew that she felt a lot better with a sauna as part of her morning routine.
Sharna bundled up her towel, toiletries and clothes and snuck out of her room. There was silence from the bedrooms as she made her way downstairs but she could hear noises coming from the kitchen.
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As she turned to head towards the sauna, she almost bumped into someone coming in through the back door.
Heart racing at the surprise, Sharna rebalanced the bundle of belongings on her hip, and looked up at the intruder who also appeared startled.
He was tall and extremely good looking, dressed in a long hooded cloak that was damp from outside. As their eyes met she felt an instant, intense pull towards him.
Sharna's free hand automatically fluttered to her chest as his eyes darkened with a similar attraction. Flustered, Sharna backed away from him a little, and then blushed as she realised that she was still dressed only in her nightie.
The stranger leaned towards her and looked as though he was about to speak -
“Excuse me!” Sharna almost shouted in her panic, and rushed off towards the sauna area.
His eyes crinkled with humour as they followed her abrupt exit, and she heard him call out something after her. Sharna ignored this and shut the door quickly, locking it behind her and then leaning on it as she waited for her heart to settle.
“What was that!?” Sharna muttered to herself, she put her face in her hands and slid down the door until she was sitting on the floor, “what the hell was that..?”
“Yes, what was that, Sharna?” Sharna mentally cringed as Quinn flew up out of her pocket, she could feel the smirk in her tone.
“Oh.. you're awake now.. good morning, Quinn,” replied Sharna, carefully nonchalant as she stood slightly unsteadily and brushed herself off. “I'm going to hop in the shower now.”
Sharna could hear Quinn snigger as she picked up the bundle she had dropped with all the dignity she could muster, and gently closed the shower room door.