Mated To My Enemy's Rival
I marched straight to the wash basin near the corner of the room.
The water in the ceramic pitcher was ice-cold, a thin sheet of frost actually clinging to the rim, but I didn't care. I dumped the entire bowl full, grabbed a rough linen cloth, and scrubbed my skin until it was raw and screaming pink. I scrubbed my mouth where his lips had bruised mine. I scrubbed my neck, my collarbone, and the silver Luna mark until the phantom heat of his fangs was drowned out by freezing water and harsh friction. I scrubbed until the smell of him was entirely gone, replaced by the sharp, medicinal sting of lavender soap.
Then, I took the torn nightdress and the ruined robe, wadded them into a tight ball,