Moonlight filtered through crystal formations in the ceiling, painting everything in soft silver light.
Adele stepped past me, taking it all in before she crossed to a stone table, pulling out her notebook and flipping it open. “I need to examine one of the infants as soon as possible. Document symptoms, check environmental factors, run some tests?—”
“Adele.”
She looked up, blinking. “What?”
“You just woke up from a long nap on dragonback yet you’re still tired.” I could see it in her posture and the strain in her eyes. “The investigation can wait until morning.”
“But—”
“Morning,” I said firmly. “The babies have been sneezing for weeks. One more night won’t make a difference.”
She bit her lip, clearly torn between her drive to solve problems and exhaustion.
I took the notebook from her hands, setting it aside. “Let me help you out of these.” I gestured to her tunic and pants.
A flush crept up her neck, but she nodded. I worked on the fastenings of her tunic slowly, my fingers brushing her skin. This wasn’t about sex, though I’d never stop wanting her. This was about taking care of my wife after a long journey.
When I’d stripped her down to her undergarments, I led her toward the back passage. The hot springs chamber opened up, steam coiling up from mineral-rich water that glowed faintly blue in the crystal light. The pool had beencarved from natural stone, with smooth edges and a gradual slope down into the water.
“It’s gorgeous,” Adele breathed.
I stripped off my own clothes and stepped into the water, sighing as the heat soaked into my aching muscles. My wings had been screaming at me for the last two hours of flight.
Adele removed her undergarments and followed me in. I caught her hand, steadying her as she navigated the slippery stone.
When she was settled beside me on a long, submerged bench, I reached for hair cleanser, holding up the small bowl. “Turn around.”
Once she faced away from me, I worked my fingers through the tangled strands, finding knots from hours of wind. After wetting her hair with an empty cup, I poured some cleanser into my palm and began washing her hair, massaging her scalp.
She melted, a soft sound of pleasure escaping her throat.
This was different from our heated encounter in Brightmore’s caves. This was tender. Domestic. The kind of intimacy that came from caring for someone, not just wanting them.
“Why is Silvervale so different?” she asked quietly. “From Brightmore, I mean. The village was warm, welcoming. Here…”
“Different courts have different cultures.” I worked the soap through her hair. “Brightmore is a village of farmers and craftspeople. Small, close, used to helping each other. Silvervale is a political court. They see themselves as separate from Emberforge’s authority, and they’re not wrong. The realm is more fractured than most outsiders realize.”
“How many courts are there?”
“Seven major ones, including ours. Some are allied, some neutral, and some are actively hostile to each other.” I rinsed her hair, letting the water cascade over her shoulders. “My father spent his entire reign trying to prevent outright war between them.”
“And you?”
“I’m trying to build something better than just ‘not war.’ Actual unity. Cooperation. But it’s like trying to braid water.” I turned her to face me. “Courts like Silvervale guard their independence fiercely. They’ll accept aid, but they won’t accept orders.”
She studied my face in the dim light. “That’s why you changed how you spoke to Queen Mortiven. You weren’t commanding. You were negotiating.”
“Exactly.” I scooped up water and washed away the last of the soap. “If I’d tried to tell her what to do, she would’ve insisted we leave.”
“This will be more complicated than I thought.”
“Most people see the crown and assume it means power.” I pulled her closer, wrapping my arms around her waist. “But real leadership is knowing when to step back and listen, rather than give commands.”
She leaned her head against my chest. “What if I can’t fix this?” Her voice came out small, vulnerable. “What if I examine the babies and it’s not weather related at all? Would Silvervale really let it escalate to war?”
“Not over babies sneezing, no. But if they believe Goldwing is somehow causing them harm…” I shrugged. “Tensions are high right now. Any excuse could tip things over.”
