I nodded and wrapped my arms around him, savoring what we shared in this moment and allowing the low rumble of his humming to send me off to sleep.
Chapter8
The following day, I woke before Iris and gathered the remnants of her dress from where she’d tossed it on the cavern floor. I scrubbed it with the lavender soap, washing it as best as I could before drying it with my magic. It was stained, but at least she’d have something relatively clean to wear.
As the soft glow of morning light trickled down into the cavern, I peered down at her.
She looked so at peace while she slept, her features unmarred by the sadness that had crept over her face the night before.
I told myself over and over again that this was what was best for her. The dark depths of a cave were no place for Iris. My flower needed fresh air and sunlight. She needed a man who could give her everything she deserved—the love she was worthy of.
I sighed and rubbed my eyes with the base of my palms.
Why was I subjecting myself to this torture?
There was a reason I never became close to my human charges, but before Iris, none of them ever wanted to be close to me.
Not in the way that she did.
And the way my magic responded to her last night…I’d never had something like that happen. Perhaps my control slipped during our pleasure…
I’d have to be more careful.
I pulled fresh strips of leather from my bag and set to work rebandaging her feet, hoping to slowly rouse her as I did so.
She tossed and turned against the furs as I carefully wound the strips around her soles, and when she caught sight of me, she smiled.
“G’morning,” she mumbled, her voice hoarse from sleep.
“Good morning, angel,” I said and passed her the drinking skin. “Did you sleep well?”
Iris stretched and arched her back, pushing the soft globes of her breasts outward. My cocks hardened beneath my kilt at the sight of her. Did she have any idea how utterly breathtaking she was or what kind of effect she had on me?
I stood and quickly turned my back to her before adjusting my kilt.
“I did. Is—is everything okay?” she asked from behind me.
“Yes, everything is fine.” I cleared my throat and rubbed the racked tip of my horn, still refusing to face her. “I set your dress there next to the pack.”
“You washed it for me.” Her voice wavered.
Another tiny act of kindness and she was practically on the verge of tears.
“I did the best I could. I thought that after bathing you might appreciate something clean to put on.”
“Thank you.”
I kept my back turned while she dressed, refusing to sneak another glance at her nude body and recall how she looked as I fucked her.
A delicate hand slid along my bicep and gave it a light squeeze.
“Are you sure you're alright? If this is about last night—”
“I told you, everything is fine.” I was more stern than I needed to be, and I regretted my harsh response the moment I saw the hurt in her eyes.
I pulled Iris into a tight hug and mumbled into her hair. “I’m sorry. I’m just a little tired.”
Her tiny hands clenched the muscles of my back, holding me like she never wanted to let go.
