My most basic needs determine my dignity.
Clearing the lump from my throat, I venture to say, “In that case…my monthly courses will start soon. I’ll need provisions.”
He nudges my cheek with his. “I’ll make sure you’re provided for.”
Okay, then.
I lean into him, my muscles aching from so many hours of exercise. Tomorrow, I’m certain, my muscles will hurt even more.
We reach the palace gate in no time. It’s already opening for us and Nara glides right on through. She moves at a quick pace but doesn’t jostle me, which I appreciate.
Soon enough, we reach the Rose Room, and I catch the tilt of Stellen’s head at the corner of my view before he says, “It’s safe to go inside.”
With that, he scoops me off Nara’s back and strides down the path and through the door. Before I know it, he’s carried me to the bathing room and set me in front of the toilet door.
Without another word, he turns to the bath and begins filling it using the pump at the side that took me a few puzzled moments to figure out last night.
As soon as the water starts running, he strides from the room and away down the hall again.
The sound of running water is nearly my undoing. Without another pause, I dart into the toilet room and close the door.
When I emerge, the bath is still filling, the water gently steaming. Two buckets of snow rest beside it, no doubt for my hands.
Stellen waits near the door.
I didn’t bother pulling the training suit all the way up and over my arms since I’m about to take it off, anyway, and the in-built corset keeps the bodice upright around my chest without needing to hold on to it.
“The warmth will help your sore muscles,” Stellen says. “The snow is for your hands.”
“Are you certain I need it? The snow, that is.” The question leaves my lips before I can stop myself.
I clamp down on my lower lip, fighting the resurgence of a physical need that spiraled into a storm last night.
Mentally, I shout at myself that Stellen was right to walk away. No matter how he’s attending to my needs, there’s still a tension between us that won’t disappear simply because he ran me a bath.
But…
But.
Strands of his white hair fall across his face as he tilts his head, his pale eyes piercing mine. His lips are still. Not yet answering me.
Maybe he’s reading my emotions from the sudden pounding of my heart.
On the tip of my tongue is a challenge I probably shouldn’t utter, but I haven’t forgotten the threat he issued this morning to ensure my safety.
With a catch in my voice, I ask, “Don’t you wish to inspect my body?”
Chapter Forty-Eight
Stellen
Yes, I want to inspect her body.
I want to explore every curve of her. Every sensitive part of her. I want to discover all the ways I can make her moan and I want to do it for hours…
But I force my blood to cool. “Only when you ask me to.”
Which she didn’t.
