“How do you know?”she whispered, blinking up at him.In this moment, she absolutely did not care that she was completely naked and in Emmeric’s lap.She simply appreciated the comfort of being close to her Kanaliza.
“I just do.”He sighed and rested his brow against hers.Iyana’s eyes fluttered shut.“What do you need, Mouse?”
“I don’t know.”
“That’s fine.I’m going to put you down for a second, okay?I’ll get you a towel.”
When Emmeric set her down, Iyana pulled her knees towards her, hugging them to her chest.It was only then that she realized Emmeric’s own hair was wet and his lower half was wrapped in a towel, leaving his torso bare.He wrapped a towel around her shoulders, then drained the tub.Once it was completely drained, he turned the knob on the left and steaming water poured free.Iyana sighed and her muscles began to relax.Emmeric turned the water off when the tub was full, then turned to her—she was exactly where he’d left her, with the towel draped loosely around her shoulders.He speared a hand through his hair.
“The water is warm now.Do you want me to go so you can bathe, or…” Emmeric trailed off, and Iyana sensed his warring emotions.He was concerned and sad, hesitant, and a little aroused, although he was doing his best to squash that last one.
She shook her head, cool water droplets flying from her hair to splash on her bare legs.“Please stay.”
“Okay.”Emmeric nodded.He reached a hand down to help her up and averted his gaze when her towel fell to the floor.Iyana squeezed his hand in anticipation when she swung a leg over the edge of the tub, but as soon as the blissfully warm water touched her foot, she relaxed and sank in fully.She dipped her head back to wet her hair and luxuriated in the heat now surrounding her.
Emmeric kneeled on the floor by the tub, a bottle of shampoo in his hand.“May I?”he asked, an eyebrow raised.
Iyana nodded.He opened the bottle and the smell of jasmine filled the space.Emmeric began to massage the shampoo into her hair and scalp, and she had to bite back a moan.She closed her eyes and allowed Em to take care of her.
When he was finished with her hair, Iyana assured him she was capable of finishing her bath on her own.He promised he’d be waiting right outside if she needed anything.
Iyana took her time washing her body, making sure to scrub all the hard days of travel off of her skin.As the water began to cool to a lukewarm temperature, her panic began to creep back in.A soft knock sounded on the door.
“Mouse?You okay?”
“Yeah,” she called back.“I’m getting out.”Iyana removed the drain plug and carefully climbed out of the tub, not wanting to slip on the smooth flooring.She wrapped herself in a fluffy robe that had been laid out for her and a soft smile played on her lips.Emmeric must have left it there for her.Iyana toweled her hair to rid it of the excess water, then left the bathing room feeling better than she had when she’d walked in, despite her earlier episode.
Emmeric was waiting in a chair.He had changed into a pair of silk pants, but his chest was still bare.Iyana allowed herself a few seconds to appreciate the beautiful man who sat before her, but then noticed the intensity with which he was looking at her, and she let her gaze drop.
“Are you okay?”he asked.
“I’m fine.Much better now.”She sat on the edge of the bed, still avoiding looking at Emmeric directly.“Thank you.”
“Any time, Mouse,” he said softly.“You know that.”
A pregnant silence hung between them until Emmeric cleared his throat.
“Do you want to take a nap before dinner?”he asked.
Iyana nodded.Emmeric stood and brushed past her, grazing his arm against hers.He drew back the sheets of the bed and gestured for her to climb up.Iyana still couldn’t look him in the eye as she climbed into the bed and pulled the sheet over her body, tucking it underneath her chin until she felt somewhat less exposed.
“Stay,” she said suddenly, surprising even herself.Emmeric rubbed the back of his neck.She knew he wanted to and was only hesitating for her sake.“Stay,” Iyana said more firmly.
“Okay,” he whispered.Emmeric went around to the other side of the bed and laid down next to her on top of the sheets.Iyana didn’t roll toward him, and he didn’t touch her, but his presence gave her such an overwhelming feeling of safety that she drifted off within seconds.
Chapter 13
Zane
Kazhadbrieflyshownthem into their room before whisking Emmeric and Iyana away to theirs.Zane stared at the small space—filled to the brim with one large bed, a couch, and an armoire—and silently cursed Kaz.
“I just know she’s fucking with me,” he grumbled.He was an emperor, godsdammit.Zane didn’tneedopulence, but basic international relations demanded that he be given the best guest room within the palace, not shoved into cramped quarters with another man.Nevermind that man was Talon.When Kaz had introduced him as Zane’s consort, a warm feeling flushed through him.Not embarrassment—he’d never be embarrassed to be seen with Tal.No, it was a thrill that jolted through him first, that he might call this man his own, and then fear that Talon would correct her to say they weren’t actually anything to each other at all.
“I think she’s meddling,” Talon said.Before Zane could address that statement, he continued, “We should bathe before dinner.How about you go first?”
Zane nodded silently, hearing the statement as the dismissal it was.He took his time in the bath, scrubbing away days of riding and camping, and enjoying the warm water while he had the chance.
Because now that Rigil Kentaurus sat upon his throne, Zane would need to take action.There was no way he could let the star continue to rule over Athusa; not while he was alive.He’d need to discuss the matter of the refugees with King Saram and Queen Nita.They would need a safe place to stay while he fought for his empire.
