Meanwhile,

Aria

"Achoo!"

The sneeze ripped through the silence of the obsidian bathroom, nearly sending my silk-lined eye mask flying into the water. I jolted upright in the massive marble tub, the sudden movement sending a cascade of rose-scented water over the side to splash against the heated tiles with a rhythmic slap-slap-slap.

I rubbed my nose with the back of a wet hand, scowling at the flickering candlelight that danced across the dark, polished walls.

The steam hung heavy in the air, smelling of lavender and expensive oils - the kind of luxury that was supposed to soothe a soul. But my soul wasn't looking for a spa day;...