Chapter Forty-One #2
He sat me down on his bed, then eased out of his shirt, exposing his chest and the silver filigreed mark now emblazoned above his heart. I reached out and touched it. I pulled my own top low to see the imprint on my own chest. They were identical.
“Do you recognize the symbols?” I asked him.
“It’s Sarulien. I’ll look it up later.” His strong forearms flexed, drawing my eyes greedily in their direction.
Gods, those were distracting. He gently tucked his arm around me, lifting me as though I might break.
“We have matching tattoos now. The realms have conspired to mark you as mine.” He carried me to the bathroom.
Setting my feet on the floor, he handed me an oversized robe. It smelled distinctly of my general.
I removed my pants and top, leaving only my chemise on.
I wrapped myself in the plush robe before stepping into the copper tub large enough for three people.
My legs extended into the empty space. He grabbed a container filled with the coracite paste and sat on the edge of the tub.
Scooping a glob of it in his large hands, he massaged it into my scalp, gently tugging on my hair.
I observed the luxurious space, draping my arm along the edge of the tub.
The copper bowl rested in front of a window overlooking the snow-topped mountain peaks, their summits faintly glowing below the light of the twin moons.
The window spanned the width of the far wall, extending from floor to ceiling.
Majestic hemlock trees stood guard with their fringed evergreen needles swaying to the tune of the wind.
Matte-black, slate stone provided a decadent texture to the walls of the bathing room, complementing the smoothness of the black-marble floors whose white veining seemed to glow from the moons’ illumination.
Candles burned in ornate metal holders, hovering along the walls and countertops by the power of Dom’s magic, lending a quiet intimacy.
It smelled like Dom and reflected his personality perfectly.
His hands in my scalp were pure decadence. If I had the proper vocal cords, I would have purred. The windows reflected the concentration in his narrowed eyes as he methodically coated each strand. I sank deeper into the tub with his hypnotizing kneading.
When he deemed his work satisfactory, he twisted my hair up, securing it with a clip to give it the proper wait time for the lightening to take effect.
My eyes slowly shut in both fatigue and tranquility. Without opening them, I inquired, “How will I wash this all out?”
“I’ll need to fill the bath with water.” The silence lingered long enough that I opened my eyes. “Then, I will rinse it out for you.” He swallowed. “If you wish.”
My fatigue diminished as I studied this dark, intense man. “Your assistance sounds like a wise safety precaution.”
Thank you, he replied. Oddly, I didn’t notice his lips move, but my exhausted mind was still swimming from all that had taken place.
I nodded in response. Dom held out his hand, offering me stability within his firm grip as I slowly stood, then stepped out of the tub.
He opened the spigot, water filling the basin.
I dipped my fingers in and agitated the water with my magic, warming it to my liking, bands of steam curling upward.
Dom respectfully turned away granting me privacy. Gingerly, I untied the robe letting it drop quietly to the floor. I removed my chemise, the soft whoosh of the material the same tone as Dom’s intake of air. “Will you help me back in?”
He turned back toward me, his breath stilling. His eyes made a thorough, sweep of my body. He swallowed. Hard. “Beautiful,” he murmured.
I glanced away at the intensity of his scrutiny, timid despite his words. I returned to the bath with the aid of Dom’s warm hands, sinking into the water’s lapping embrace as the tension in the air thickened. Steam rose languidly and my skin glistened with moisture.
He pulled down a basket of fragrant oils and colorful soaps.
With a cup, he poured fresh water over my hair, rinsing the coracite out.
His strong hands massaged oils and creams that smelled of honey and vanilla into my lightened strands.
His brow furrowed in concentration as he methodically combed through my hair until all the coracite and travel grime had been removed and only clean silk remained.
I closed my eyes, indulging in his tender attentions.
His fingers teased at my scalp and I softly groaned in pleasure.
My magic escaped me, fingers of water entwining with Dom’s.
Water exploded above me in fireworks of mist while parts of the copper tub melted and transformed into glinting metallic bubbles that hovered above the water, mingling with my sparkling iridescent drops.
Dom’s shadows swirled outward, leisurely grazing down my body.
Goose bumps covered my skin as I relished the way my magic hummed alongside his.
I squirmed beneath the water as his shadows moved downward, edging my hips, caressing my inner thighs.
Desire pooled, warring with fatigue. I wanted to weep at the injustice that my body demanded rest. The copper tub took on a life of its own as it softened under the weight of my body, firmly kneading the muscles of my back. I yawned as I peered up into Dom’s glittering eyes.
He fisted his hands and his shadows disappeared.
He leaned over my head, still playing with my hair, his breath softly brushing my cheek.
I inhaled him, wishing my body wasn’t so drained.
“I can feel your exhaustion.” He dragged his nose down the bridge of my own.
I entwined my fingers with his, his other hand splayed flat at my shoulder, slowly, so slowly, moving downward.
The water hardly covered the pink of my nipples. They hardened at his teasing touch.
His whisper sank into my skin. “I have extensive plans for your pleasure, and I want you wide awake to enjoy it all.”
Oh.
“But if you aren’t too tired, just say the word.”
Oh.
The water swirled around me, my magic groaning for him. My heart swelled with a tenderness that, with anyone else, would have frightened me. I could no longer deny him.