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A cold pain spread between her ribs, and Mina pushed up off the bed, her knees wobbling for a second before she could stand straight once more. “Then I definitely need to get a bath and get out of this room. If someone wants me dead, then they’re gonna have to see me living my best life. I won’t let some coward too afraid to attack me outright think they’ve won.”
Erik smiled up at her. “Lucy said the exact same thing when I suggested we postpone the party.”
Mina’s face crumpled. “I forgot about that.”
“They’ve invited all the nobles, and some of the townsfolk. It sounds like it’s going to be quite the event.” He sat up and put his hands on her hips. “I believe Lucy even had a dress made for you.”
“Oh?” She arched an eyebrow and brushed her fingers over his cheek.
His expression lit and his lips turned up into her favorite wicked grin. “I’ll admit, I’m curious to see you in a dress.”
“It is quite the sight.” She smiled, and the door opened as the woman they’d summoned before held open the door for two men to bring in a familiar bronze bathtub. Behind them walked a young girl with her hair pulled back beneath a light blue cloth. She put her hands on the lip of the tub and in seconds it filled with steaming hot water.
Mina smiled. “Water magic?”
“We have a few gifted witches who work here at the castle.” Erik stood and flashed a smile at the servants. “Thank you all. You can leave the rest.”
Mina frowned and followed his gaze as the first servant was undoing a bag at her hip full of flower petals and soap.
The woman bowed her head, and handed over the bag with her soap, and sponge. “Summon us when you’d like us to remove the bath, Sire.”
“Of course.” Erik nodded.
He was so kind, and sweet to his subjects, it made Mina’s heart ache. Leaning on the post of her bed, she watched the servant blush and back out of the room. Erik made sure the lock on the door was latched and turned back to smile at her again.
He held up objects the woman had given him looking sheepish, and unsure. “Would you like some privacy, or…?”
Mina stepped away from the bed. “Join me?”
“What?” His eyebrows lifted to his hairline.
Mina shook her head and pulled the ties of her night dress so she could drag it up her body. His gaze drifted to her hands and just as she gathered the fabric in her hands enough to pull it to the upper parts of her thighs, Erik’s hands found hers.
“Allow me,” he said, smoothing his palms around her hips. He paused just long enough to shred the sides of her underthings so they fell to the ground, and then moved higher, scraping his nails gently over her flesh. “Lift your arms.”
Mina did as he instructed, and he stripped her naked in one smooth sweep. Her breasts brushed against his chest, and she felt every inch of her skin set ablaze. “What now, Vlad?”
He grinned. “Get in the bath.”
She chuckled, and held out her hand. He took it and she stepped into the water. As she sank into the steaming liquid a groan rumbled through her chest and she sank back against the edge of the tub.
She opened her eyes and he stood over her sprinkling petals in the tub. His eyes roamed her body. His breathing slowed.
“What’s wrong?” She asked.
“Nothing,” he said. “But you should know. If I get in this tub with you, I am not going to take you like I have in the past. You’ve been hurt. You’re still healing.”
“I’m fine.” She pouted.
He snorted and set the rest of the flowers down on the chest at the foot of the bed. He paced to the foot of the bath, and shrugged out of his jacket, dropping it to the floor. He undid the ties of his shirt, and his belt, and Mina sat up in the tub watching his hands as they pulled his shirt off, revealing his muscular chest, a fresh scar across his shoulder.
He slid his pants down, and Mina swallowed at the sight of him hard and ready for her. He grasped his cock with one hand and stroked it a few times as she watched.
“Like what you see?” He chuckled.
Mina looked up and met his eye. “Very much.”
“Good,” he said, walking back to the side of the tub, looming over her. “Now, sit forward, I’m going to sit behind you.”
