Holding my breath, I struggle and finally burst out of the water, gasping for air.
Luther's sitting on the ledge in the bath, legs spread and me between his thighs, laughing at me.
I wipe my eyes and push my hair out of the way, then splash him in the face. "If you're trying to drown me, you're doing a fine job."
"I thought you could swim?" He mocks me with his words and mirth.
With a roll of my eyes at him, I spin away from him. Strong hands grasp my hips, and he drags me backward until I'm sitting right on his lap. My bare ass on his thigh, his cock nestled against the side of my leg as I am turned to my side.
"I want you close to me." An arm locks around my stomach, and he's pretty much eye level with me. "You don't need to be shy around me, little wolf. I adore every inch of you, and if I could have my way, I'd spend every second in your company. And you would be naked, of course."
"Really? And you?"
"I'd be at your mercy." He blows me a kiss.
"You're such a sweet talker."
He shuffles us around so we are sitting on the ledge sideways, and I slip down to sit right between his legs. My back presses against his hard chest, his cock cradles my back, and his arm coils around me like he has no intention of letting me go. He brushes my hair over one shoulder, then kisses the back of my neck and shoulders. My skin pricks with goosebumps from the excitement building within me. But he never does anything more.
At first, I'm confused. I had this impression he carried every intention to finish what we started in the bedroom. Except, he holds me tight like he just needs the company.
A knock raps at the door, and I straighten. Luther draws me back as the door opens. His arms lower to cover my breasts, which I appreciate. My knees are bent in front of me up on the ledge.
Dana waltzes in, the older maid who remembers me from last time. "Excuse me, Your Highness." She comes in with another maid, both of them carrying bundles of towels and clothes and shoes. They place the items at one end of the room on a side table, then they retreat and shut the door.
"Thanks for covering me up." I glance over my shoulder at this smoldering hot fae, whose dark hair is wet and pushed off his face. Thick brows crown the most spectacular amber eyes. My gaze drops to his full lips, tempted to lean in and taste them again.
"You got it wrong," he murmurs. "I wasn't concealing you, little wolf, but making it very clear that I've claimed you as mine by holding onto your gorgeous breasts in front of them."
My breath catches as I remember he’s mine now too, and I can’t help but love how protective and proud he is of me. I almost lost him because I couldn’t remember our time together. Now, I want to soak him up and not lose another moment.
"The more I learn about your ways, the more you remind me of a hierarchy of wolves." I soften into his arms, the hot water brushing against my shoulders.
He kisses my head. “That's probably the most accurate way I’ve heard it described. And there are many factions vying for power.” He traces his fingers across my palms, sending shivers through me. “When I find the person responsible for today’s atrocity, they won’t die a quick death.”
I hold onto Luther's arm around me, my mind racing in dozens of directions when a thought slips past my lips. "Why would someone kill the king?"
"Usually power," he answers. "Or revenge, but I'm suspecting it's about power to weaken our court more than it already is."
"Between us," I begin, "I wonder if Jasion might be capable of such a gruesome act." The moment the words leave my mouth, I regret them. I'm pointing fingers to the mage based on my instinct, on my dislike for him, but does that make him a murderer? Maybe... hell, I don't know.
“Jasion has been part of our inner court since a young age, as were his father and father before him.” Luther frowns. “But I don’t trust him. Haven’t liked him since we first met so long ago. He’d always make snarky remarks at Deimos and me when Ahren wasn’t around as we grew up. But I’m not sure he is a killer type.”
“No, forget I said anything.” Maybe the Unseelie king’s mother was trying to get under my skin. Make me see guilt where there was none, to cause derision. And just because I don’t like the guy doesn’t mean that he’s a murderer.
“What would he have to gain?” Luther continues.
I shrug because I don't know the answer. "Anyway, let's not talk about that. I'm starving."
He reaches over to the table and collects a bunch of black grapes. He plucks one and places it into my mouth, the fruit exploding with sweetness over my tongue.
Not for a moment do I mind. If this Adonis wants to feed me and treat me like a princess, then I say more please. Maybe for a change, things might finally calm down so I can wrap my head around where exactly I fit in the Wandering Realm.
Chapter 3
Guendolyn
Candles flicker wildly across the dining table, and darkness cloaks the rest of the room. I'm sitting next to Deimos, with Luther directly across from me and Ahren on my right. Since arriving back at Shadow Court, I’ve longed for us all to be together, but there’s a strange feeling in the air tonight. A sense of tension which I put down to the shitty day. Still, it nags me, as I hoped being with the three princes would help us all. But it isn’t.
I reach over and fill my
