Chapter 67 The Queen’s Essence
The Queen’s Essence
Iwake before the light fully reaches the room and remain where I am, aware of the warmth beneath me, the steady rise and fall of Colsar’s chest, the way my body feels different now, heavier in places, sore in others.
The ache lingers, drawing a small shift from me, not uncomfortable, but unmistakable.
It has been too long.
I ease myself up carefully, mindful of him, though I should know better by now than to think he will not notice.
The instinct to go to the pools comes automatically.
Then I pause. My wound is healed. There is no reason for it anymore.
And yet the thought lingers, the pull of the water, the quiet of it, the way it always calms me.
And, if I am honest, the way my body feels now. I move to stand, reaching for a robe. Before I can take a full step, he is there.
I laugh softly, the sound escaping before I can stop it. “I forgot how fast you are.”
His hand finds my waist. “Where are you going?”
“The pools,” I say. “Go back to sleep.”
His brow furrows slightly. “Your wound is healed.”
“I know,” I reply, glancing back at him. “But I am sore from last night.”
Something shifts in his expression at that, something quieter.
“Do not worry,” I add, tying the robe loosely. “I do not think Kentan will be there. He said his injury was nearly gone.”
Colsar reaches for his own robe.
“I do not give a fuck about Kentan.”
I laugh again, softer this time. “Then why come? You said before you did not want to. You have been busy. You should rest. Or work on the rescue.”
“The rescue is already in motion,” he says simply. “There is nothing left for me to do except ride south when they break through. Everything else can wait.”
I turn fully then, studying him.
“Colsar,” I say quietly, “I want you. But I do not want you stepping away from what matters because of me. I do not want to be in your way.” I hold his gaze. “I just want to matter.”
Before he can answer, a sharp ache pulls through my chest, reminding me the children should feed soon. Although Cambra is a help, I prefer to do the morning feedings myself.
I press a hand lightly there, exhaling. “I need to go,” I say. “I should be back soon. They will need me.”
His expression shifts again, something softer now.
“I want to go with you,” he says. “When we were in the countryside we went every day.”
I hold his gaze for a moment, then nod. “Then hurry.”
A faint smirk touches his mouth. “Do not tell me to hurry when we both know I am faster than you.”
“You are not.”
“I am.”
Before he can say anything else, I slip out of my slippers, gathering them in one hand, and take off down the corridor.
The sound of my own laughter surprises me as it echoes through the halls, light and unrestrained in a way I have not felt in weeks. Servants glance up as I pass, startled, but I do not slow.
I reach the pools—
and stop.
He is already there.
Sitting in the water.
Looking entirely unimpressed.
“You cheated,” I say, breath catching.
“I did not.”
“You clearly shifted,” I reply, narrowing my eyes. “You knew I would win otherwise.”
“You would not.”
I frown at him. “Close your eyes.”
“Now why would I do that?”
“Because I am annoyed with you,” I say, lifting my chin slightly. “And you do not get to look at me while I am undressing.”
He leans back slightly, laughter breaking free without restraint.
“Very well,” he says. “If that is the punishment.”
He closes his eyes.
I slip the robe from my shoulders and step into the water, the warmth immediately easing the lingering tension in my body.
“How did you know which one?” I ask after a moment, glancing at him.
His eyes open slowly. “This is the temperature you prefer.”
I pause.
Something in me softens at that, though I do not let it show.
“I am still annoyed with you,” I say.
He reaches for me anyway.
His hand finds my waist, drawing me closer, his mouth brushing lightly along my neck, slower this time, more familiar than urgent.
“I wonder,” I murmur, “how long you think you can keep pretending you are in control of this?”
He lifts his head slightly, studying me. “And if I am not?”
My legs wrap around him before I can think past it, the closeness immediate, instinctive, the connection between us returning without effort as he pushes inside me, the sudden fullness drawing a moan from my lips.
The water laps around us, amplifying every movement.
“You know I can’t think when you do this, Colsar,” I gasp, clinging to his shoulders.
“Hmm?” he hums, a smirk tugging at his mouth as he thrusts again, slow but deep, making my breath hitch.
Before I can repeat myself, a familiar voice cuts through the steam-filled air. “Nephew, I don’t know that I’ve ever seen you in these pools before. And with Asharin, no less.”
There is something in his tone that shifts the air immediately.
“Queen Asharin,” he says sharply.
I turn slightly.
Kentan stands at the edge of the water, entirely at ease, entirely unbothered. “Yes,” Kentan says lightly. “She is queen.” His gaze lingers just a moment longer than it should. “But we are family, are we not?”
The warmth of the water does nothing to cool the tension that moves through me.
I hold still, Colsar still inside me, feeling the air thicken with a subtle, charged energy as he uses his power to make the atmosphere tense. The water around us seems to hum with it, a silent warning rippling outward, though it’s unclear if Kentan even notices.
“Oh, stop it, nephew,” the voice says, a hint of amusement cutting through. “I’ll call her queen if you want.”
I hear a splash behind us as Kentan settles into his usual pool, the sound sharp against the quiet.
Colsar’s face remains cold, his jaw tight, eyes narrowed with barely restrained irritation.
From the distance and angle, it’s hard to tell if Kentan can see much beyond our heads above the water, the steam and ripples likely obscuring the rest.
I begin to rock on him, keeping my movements subtle beneath the water’s surface as I lean down, my lips brushing his ear. “Only yours,” I murmur, voice barely audible, meant just for him.
I feel him go rigid, a low growl vibrating in his chest, so quiet it’s nearly lost in the lapping of the water, as he pulls me into a kiss, hard and possessive, his mouth claiming mine like he needs to prove something right here, right now.
“So, I hear your men will be retrieved today,” Kentan calls out, his tone casual, seemingly oblivious to what’s happening beneath the water or the undercurrent of tension. “Then it’s off to Veynar finally, right? I’m sure you’re happy, my queen.”
Colsar’s hand slips down between my legs, fingers finding me with a precision that makes me jolt, though I keep my reaction silent, biting the inside of my cheek.
“Y-y-es, I am,” I manage, voice trembling but low, hoping it sounds normal enough to Kentan’s ears.
“Veynar is where I’ve been wanting to go. ”
“Don’t let him distract you,” Colsar mutters against my lips, his touch firm, circling with intent as he keeps his eyes locked on mine, ignoring Kentan entirely. “Focus on me. Keep it quiet.”
I nod, breath hitching as I grip his shoulders, moving with him under the water, the subtle rhythm masked by the natural sway of the pool.
Kentan’s voice cuts through again, still casual, no hint he’s caught on to anything beyond a conversation.
“I suppose Veynar will be a welcome change after all this waiting. Though I imagine you’ve got plenty to keep you busy until then, eh, nephew? ”
Colsar’s grip on my hip tightens, his other hand not slowing as he shoots a glare over my shoulder.
“Mind your own business, Kentan,” he snaps, sharp and final, though his voice stays controlled, not loud enough to draw extra attention.
He turns back to me. My breath is shallow as I cling to him, the sensation tightening low in my core.
“Colsar,” I gasp, so quietly it’s almost nothing, burying the sound against his neck to ensure it doesn’t carry.
“Give it to me,” he says, voice raw, barely a whisper, pushing deeper as his fingers work faster under the water. “Right now. Don’t hold back, but don’t let him hear.”
The wave hits, sudden and intense, and I press my face into his shoulder, teeth grazing his skin to muffle any sound, trembling against him as he holds me through it, unrelenting, his breath ragged but hushed against my ear.
“Mine,” he growls under his breath, so low it’s just for me, kissing me hard again as if to seal the moment against any intrusion, the water and steam still cloaking our secret.
Kentan’s voice carries over the water, still casual, oblivious or willfully ignoring the undercurrents between us. “I’d like to come to Veynar with you.”
Colsar’s response is immediate, clipped. “Not necessary, Uncle.”
Kentan doesn’t miss a beat, his tone steady but insistent.
“I understand it may not be necessary to you, Colsar. But I hear that Teorin Rathmor came and warned of danger that my stubborn nephew refused to hear about. You are now king of two kingdoms, possibly a third.”
He pauses. “You will need more than soldiers at your table. You will need someone who sees what others miss.” His voice lowers slightly. “We both know I don’t have much use here in the Beastlands. And we both know now that I’m healed what I need to stay whole.”
Colsar’s hand suddenly covers my mouth, muffling any sound as the tension in my body coils tighter, so close to breaking. His eyes stay locked on mine, intense, ignoring Kentan as he keeps his movements subtle but relentless beneath the water. I’m trembling, fighting to stay silent under his touch.
“I know that you have an… unnatural interest in your niece-in-law,” Colsar says, his voice low, cutting, though it’s controlled enough not to echo. “I’m not stupid.”
Kentan’s reply comes calm. “And neither am I, and that you know well, Colsar. I would never harm her, and she remains devoted only to you. She is beautiful and charming, yes. But she does not need my protection. You, dear nephew, know what does and know exactly what I am. That is all.”
I want to ask what he means, my mind flickering with curiosity, but before I can form the words, the climax rushes over me.
My body shakes, a silent wave of pleasure ripping through as I bite down on Colsar’s hand to keep from crying out.
He lets out an audible grunt, unable to hold it back as he spills inside me, his grip tightening on my hip, hips jerking slightly under the water.
Kentan laughs lightly, the sound breaking the charged silence. “Besides, if I’m being honest, sitting here talking of diplomacy while also listening to you fuck your wife only has me wishing to go back to her cousin’s bed.”
Colsar’s eyes widen, a mix of shock and irritation flashing across his face. I stifle a laugh, pressing my lips together as I catch my breath. “I swear I had no idea,” I manage, my voice shaky but amused.
Kentan’s voice carries a grin as I hear the faint splash of him shifting in his pool. “And remind me to have the attendants clean that pool. It’s now full of siakar seed and the queen’s essence.”
I should feel embarrassed, my cheeks flushing at the bluntness, but instead, laughter bursts out of me, uncontrollable and loud, echoing off the tiled walls.
Colsar looks as though he wants to be angry, his jaw tight for a moment, but the corners of his mouth twitch, and he can’t hold it back either.
“Fine, Uncle,” he says, exasperation lacing his tone as he shakes his head. “You can come. Just keep your cock in your pants…or in her cousin, or whatever it is you’re doing these days.”
“Tell Enovar I said hello,” I call out behind him, my voice still tinged with laughter.
Colsar and I turn to each other, the absurdity of the moment hitting us both at once, and we burst into laughter, the sound mingling as we cling to each other in the warm water, the tension melting away.