Over the next two months Inara received weekly baths to strengthen her life force. She was growing more and getting faster in her training. She had even managed to beat Davian much to his shock.
Sitara was pleased that the princess had started to make improvements and she was glad that the Czar had spoken with her. She sat calmly by the side of the bath reading a book while the attendants bathed inara. She heard her giggling and said that the things they put in the bath were pretty. Sitara looked up in time to see a very distinct liquid being poured into the bath. She froze and everything slowed down. She watched as it slowly poured out of the beautiful ornate bottle it was held in. She looked at Inara and gaged her reaction she looked at the liquid mesmerized by the color. A color Sitara knew very well. The color of the Úlëa is a deep orange that has a soft glow to it. Sitara would never mistake it anywhere as she grew up seeing her brother take it from their sacred tree in Ithildin. It was meant only for Unseelie royalty and not for Seelie fae as in large quantities it was basically poison.
"Here princess it's time to brush your hair," one said in a sweet voice that brought Sitara out of her daze.
Sitaras eyes narrowed and she tried to see what other things they added to the bath as she also monitored Inara's skin tone and facial features for any change or sign of discomfort. Her stomach started to churn as her nerves grew. Since the Czar was the one that wanted her to let Inara have the baths she felt like she couldn't make a scene in case he was behind it. After what felt like an eternity Inara was done with her bath and Sitara carried her to their room they shared and inspected every inch of inara.
"What are you doing? You've been acting weird since the bath," she huffed as she held her arm up for Sitara to inspect one more time.
"They put a liquid in your bath that most fae are actually allergic to," she stated simply keeping her voice even not daring to reveal her suspicions.
"Well my uncle did bless me with a tolerance to things that can and do harm other fae," Inara stated as Sitara grabbed her face and looked at her eyes.
"Hmmmm," was the only response Sitara gave as she pulled away not seeing any reaction to the Úlëa from earlier.
"Come on Sitara it's time for bed," she giggled and jumped on the bed getting under the covers.
"You go ahead I forgot my book Nebri brought for me," Sitara slipped out of the room while Inara snuggled under the covers.
Sitara walked toward the bathing room and saw an attendant leaving with all the empty bottles.
"Oh hello," Sitara stopped her from walking away.
"My lady," she simply bowed not meeting her eyes.
"You did such a beautiful job on the princess's hair she sent me here to thank you," Sitara charmed the girl in front of her. Sitara found the younger fae were easier to use her powers of compulsion on as they had not yet built a mind block. She needed to find out everything this girl knew.
"I.. well…" the girl stumbled over her words unable to get over her shock at being recognized.
"She wishes for you to brush her hair from now on but only if you do me a favor," Sitara said catching the eyes of the girl who was not much older than her possibly a spring or two.
"Oh of course anything for the princess," she eagerly accepted. Sitara smiled and ushered her into the room.
"I need to know every ingredient in the those bottles," was all that was heard as the door shut behind them. Time passed and only the maid left hurriedly due to being late followed by Sitara a short while later her face dazed as she processed all she learned. She looked toward Inara's room sadly as she walked down the hall.
Once she entered the room she saw Inara sleeping soundly quietly she grabbed the enchanted mirror Inara's uncle gave her to speak with her mother. She slipped into the closet and waved her hand over it.
"Inara!" The voice called on the other side
"Oh Sitara sorry dear I thought you were Inara, is everything alright has something happened?" Her angelic voice concerned.
"No lady Haru she is fine umm however i need," she sighed heavily," I was wondering if Xuan-gēge was there I need to speak with him urgently,"
"Oh I'm sorry dear but you won't be able to for some time he has thrown another tantrum and is isolating himself in Ein-suph," lady Haru said propping the mirror to take out her hair for the evening.
"Ein-suph?"
"Oh you would call it the realm of obscurities dear. If you need to talk to him you have to go there."
"Thank you lady Haru," Sitara said waving her hand over the mirror and setting it down. She ran her hands through her hair in frustration.
She had used her compulsion on the maid to spill the truth behind the baths and had learned more than she could handle alone. She exited the closet and watched Inara sleep. Thoughts swirled through her mind of possibilities on how to handle this alone but she knew she couldn't. Involving her older brother could do more harm then good and since the Czar was the one who told her to allow the baths she wasn't sure if he was behind it or not either. The only one she could think of was Inara's uncle.
Inara's uncle who lady Haru called Xuan-gēge was also known as the Aenor the most powerful fae in all of Thovur. If anyone could help it was him but getting to him would be the challenge. Sitara let sleep take her as her mind could no longer handle the thoughts of the day.