She opened one eye to glare at me, and I winked, relieved when her lips twitched.
Minutes later, I heard the door click closed which meant Caelan had gone for the midwife. I carried my protesting mate into the steaming bathing room, and settled her into the copper bath that was so hot, her entire body prickled with goosebumps when she sank into it. But then she gasped and had to catch herself, pulling up to sit properly.
The bath was sized for a Nephilim, and Diadre was not a large woman.
While she resettled herself, sitting upright, I changed the plan and pulled the stool over where Caelan had left a soap, cloth, and towels. Then I quickly stripped myself.
“Lean forward,” I murmured, using my hands to press Diadre forward, but pressing my thumbs in arcs up the sides of her spine as I did so, so she groaned with pleasure.
My cock twitched, and I frowned at it as I crawled into the tub behind her, settling myself into the higher back, then gripping her hips and pulling her back against me, urging her to lay back against my chest.
We both sighed when she reclined.
Then I took the soap and cloth from the stool, wet both, and began to wash her. Holding her to me so she didn’t slip down in the bath, I washed her neck, shoulders, chest and back. Then her arms one by one, kneading tight muscles wherever I found them, and stroking skin softly wherever I didn’t. I washed her in slow circles with the soapy cloth, letting the water trickle down her body.
“God, that feels divine,” she whispered, her eyes closed and head resting on my chest, as I dropped the cloth into the water and began running my hands up and down the muscles of her arm, gripping and kneading until she groaned again.
Thatwas a noise I’d pay money to hear her make every day.
“Just relax,” I said gruffly, angry with myself. I’d been so focused on trying to keep themsafe,that I hadn’t thought about how shefelt.I needed to do better.
Only God knew how I would find it, but she needed more time from me. The truth was, I needed more time with her, as well. Who knew how much more we had left to us?
I swallowed hard.
“Just breathe and rest,” I said as quietly as I could. “I’ll take care of you. Both of you.”
“We’re not unwell, Jann. I think it’s just because I didn’t get much sleep.”
“And that’s my fault. I’ll do my best not to take you out at night again.”
“Don’t youdaresuggest I’m missing important meetings forsleep—”
She jerked up, water rippling, and twisted around to glare at me. I smiled, and took hold of her chin, pulling her back so I could kiss her—and when she sighed again, I let her go and settled her back against my chest once more.
“We’ll figure it out,” I said, non-committal. “But, for now, you rest and leave this to me. You stop worrying about any of it. I’ll handle it. I’ll make sure you have food when you’re ready, and Caelan will get the midwife to check just to make sure that there’s nothing wrong. This time of sickness and weariness will pass. Don’t worry—”
“Jann,” she sighed, lifting a hand to cup behind my neck. “The only thing I’m worried about isyou… And how weak I’ll be to help you. What you’re facing—”
“Shhhh,” I hushed her, wincing behind her back. “I don’t need you to carry my weight—I’d crush you,” I tried to joke, but it fell flat for both of us. “I need you to stay healthy and strong, and bring our babe into this worldsafely.I’m going to do everything I can to make sure that happens.”
Diadre slumped back against me, a breath rushing out of her.
She wassotired, and so worried, too.
I resolved to do whatever was needed to help her be strong. No matter the cost. No matter what was needed. I would doanything.
“I’ve got you,” I murmured, stroking her hair back and massaging her temples. “I’m here. And if I get distracted, you just remind me. Nothing is as important to me as you and our son, Diadre. Nothing.”
Absolutely, fucking,nothing.
21. Remember the King
~ MELEK ~
When Yilan woke up the next morning, we were curled into thick furs in one of the side-tunnels of the caves. I’d taken her well away from the troops, partly to give us privacy, and partly because I wanted to speak with her openly, and didn’t want to risk being overheard. I’d known we’d need to stay down here for a day or two, so had dropped our things in a spot where we could camp without being interrupted.
Now, after a long night of talking and listening, it was the next day—I could sense it, though I couldn’t see the sun—and we needed to make a plan. If any more of the Centaurs might join us, when the rest of the Neph and Fetch troops were here, along with those they’d gathered in their travels, we had a very real army. Albeit, one that had to be conditioned, and guided from underground for an ambush attack on an unknown land against a confident, empowered enemy.
