I gave him my back, allowing him to take the lead.
Arms wrapped around me, lifting me from the ledge. He carried me into the deep center of the bathtub, lowering me into the water. His tentacles wrapped around my arms and legs as he cradled me in his arms.
“Close your eyes and take a deep breath.”
Trusting him, I did.
He lowered me into the water, fully submerging me.
I kept my eyes closed and allowed the air to slowly exit my nose, listening to noises through the water. His tentacles gripped me tighter as he lifted me back to the surface.
I opened my eyes and gasped.
He carried me to the bench along the rear wall of the tub and set me down gently. Sliding his tentacles free, he allowed them to float among the bubbles on the surface. He picked up my leg and massaged it with both hands, rubbing the fragrant bubbles into my skin. A loud moan escaped at the heavenly sensation.
Odelm chuckled as he moved to my other leg.
“Odelm. If I wasn’t so hungry, you could do this to me all day long.”
His pale green eyes met my own. “I am glad I please you.”
“You have some magic fingers,” I confessed. “It must be the dexterity required for your music.”
“Turn around. Let me use my magic fingers on your hair and back.”
I smiled and turned obediently, presenting my back. He scooped up a handful of bubbles and placed them on my head. Combing his fingers through my hair, he worked the soap into it.
Odelm placed his hands on my shoulders and whispered into my ear, “Lean back. Let me rinse your hair.”
A shiver went down my spine.
Closing my eyes, I leaned into him and allowed him to dip my head in the water. His tentacles combed through my hair as he held my face above the water.
Slowly, he guided me back upright and slid my hair over my shoulder to expose my back. Starting at my neck, he soaped and massaged my neck and shoulders, silent as he worked his way down my body. His complete focus and the care with which he attended me reminded me of the way he played his music—made me feel as if I was one of his instruments and he my owner.
A shiver passed through me at the thought.
While the Yaarkins had treated me as an object, both Xylo and Odelm seemed to worship me. Though they claimed me as their nestqueen, it never felt like a statement of ownership—more like I owned them. Or perhaps it was mutual—we belonged to one another.
I wanted that to be clear to everyone. My marks on their necks were a symbol of our bond, but I also needed to make it clear I was proud of them, proud of our bond.
Somehow the Fates or the Stars had allowed me to escape my masters. More than that, they had put me in the path of the Circuli and given me Xylo and Odelm. That I had beenlucky—or blessed—enough to be rescued, healed, cared for, and fed without a demand for some sort of payment by a crew that revered their females and treated other species with respect was astounding.
I sent another silent prayer of thanks to the Stars.
He stepped back and smiled, his warm eyes tracing my body.
I returned his smile, feeling clean and thoroughly relaxed.
Odelm scooped me, dripping, into his arms and carried me out of the tub. As he set me on the edge of the bath, he grabbed one of the towels sitting nearby to dry me. I could feel his happiness radiating through our bond.
When he’d finished, I stood and touched his chest. “Thank you Odelm, that was lovely. Why don’t you dry yourself? I will get dressed.”
“Are you sure?” His gaze went from my hand to my face.
“Yes.”
I smiled at him and went into the closet to grab a simple gown and a pair of slip-on shoes. I dressed in haste—conscious of my stomach’s angry growling—and headed back to the bedroom.
