Honestly, every piece of clothing he’d worn this twinight had to be burned.
Whatever he’d endured, he didn’t need physical reminders of it.
Tassarion’s skin reeked of blood. The stench made my skin crawl. Still, I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck. He sighed profoundly, relaxing into my arms.
“I’m going to take care of you, Amouré. Okay?”
His steel-blue eyes glowed like hot coals, shining like hardened jewels.
He nodded and let me lead him.
Taking Tassarion’s hand, I pulled him into the washing chamber. I breathed in all the delightful aromas. My lavender soaps and poos. His of earthwood and sandalbark. The blend of masculine, earthen scents with the feminine ones made me giddy. It was a delightful fusion and encapsulated our tastes perfectly.
I’d only lived with Tassarion in the lair for eight twinights, yet already it looked, smelled, and felt like I’d made the lair my home for over a millennia. My towels hung by his, a noticeable difference in their length and size. My combs and brushes were next to his, although he was already in the habit of usingmyhair oils and crèms. The lair, and her king, had become my home within Everthorn Manor.
I smiled, turning to Tassarion. His eyes drooped as he yawned and stretched. There were open wounds and darkening bruises all along his neck and torso. He was covered in bite marks. I spotted one or two claw marks. What in the stars had he gotten himself into?
I kept my questions to myself. I refused to overwhelm him when he was too exhausted to even stand. Tugging him, I led the king towards the large basin that was the size of an intimate private pool. Ornate steps led down into the heated water. The further you walked in, the deeper it went. I looked at Tassarion. His eyes suddenly perked up, looking between the washbasin and me.
“Everheart...”
“You’ve misplaced your senses if you think you’re getting into our bed looking and smelling like that.”
His lips twitched, but he said nothing.
I trailed his torso down to the waist of his trousers and bit my lip.
My hands were surprisingly steady as I reached for the hem of his breeches. I couldn’t help but ogle his chiseled abs as they flexed with every breath he took. I swallowed as I reached for the buttons. Undid them. Pulled his breeches down inch by glorious inch.
Tassarion stilled.
Stars.
I wasn’t too sure the king was breathing. I reached his feet and tapped his ankle for him to lift so I could remove his breeches. Without a word, I looked up, avoiding his eyes, and also removed his undershorts. I pulled them down, down,downuntil every inch of the king’s skin was bare before me.
Fire flamed my bones.
My hearts pounded as I tried hard not to wet myself at the sight of him.
Allof him.
Covered in blood, bruises, and open wounds, he was still magnanimously glorious from his braided hair down to his scarred feet. The chamber burned hot as I finished stripping Tassarion bare. I rose to stand slowly, my nails dragging along his velvet skin, as I greedily devoured every inch of him.
Then I looked into Tassarion’s eyes.
Molten pools of steel burned into my skin. They smoldered with ravaging hunger. My toes curled as he flared his nostrils. The king took a step closer to me. Then another.
“Okay, Amouré,” I whispered, struggling to talk.Rot.
His eyes danced as he took yet another step.
“In you go.”
I made to turn. Tassarion shot out a hand and gripped my waist.
“Not withoutyou.”
His voice was raw with need. I trembled, my body engulfed in heat. Tassarion tugged me back, pulling me close. He squeezed my waist, bunching up the short twigown. I gasped, my eyes falling shut. I bit my lip to choke down the chortled moan rising in the back of my throat.
