Page 164 of Queen of the Crimson Throne

“No buts. Everything is in order. Sleep and then you can go into High Queen mode.”

“Fine.”

Before she could protest further I picked her up and used my last bit of strength and sped us to our room, leaving the rest of our group behind.

She let out a sigh when I closed the door behind me.

“Bath and then bed,” she murmured.

The bath was already filled with water as we entered the bathing chamber. I set Lennox on the edge of the tub. Sitting on my knees, I removed the sheath at her waist first. The sword clanged to the floor as I released it. I drifted my fingers over the bare skin of her back before they skated over the top of her bodice.

“May I?”

Wordlessly she shifted, twisting so I could access the back of her gown. I undid the buttons one by one, letting my fingers drift over her skin as the buttons moved lower and lower. Once the last button was unclasped I motioned for her to stand. She obliged, allowing me to slip the dress the rest of the way down her body until it rested in a pool at her feet. Even speckled in blood and exhaustion weighing at her limbs, she was stunning.

I couldn’t believe she was mine.

She placed her hands on my shoulders as she stepped out of her dress. I placed a kiss on her stomach, causing a shiver to wrack her body.

“My turn,” she said.

I stood, her hands moved to the hem of my shirt, and slowly she lifted it over my body. Her hands moved to the top of my pants, once they were loose she slipped them down my legs.

I held Lennox’s hand as she stepped into the steaming tub and followed in behind her. I groaned at the feeling of the scalding water on my aching limbs.

I leaned back in the tub, Lennox falling between my legs.

She passed me a washcloth and we washed ourselves, scrubbing at our blood-speckled skin until it was raw and the water was an unsettling color. When we were both clean she leaned back against my chest.

I wrapped my arms around her, placing a kiss on her now clean shoulder.

“We should get out before we fall asleep.”

She sighed, leaning her head back against my shoulder and closing her eyes.

“Can’t we sleep here?” she murmured.

“Sleeping in water isn’t recommended.”

“Fine.” She huffed. I placed several kisses on her neck, unable to resist the perfect skin exposed to me.

She leaned forward and I exited the tub, wrapping a towel around my waist before offering one to Lennox. I helped her out of the tub and dried her off; she shivered as I ran the towel up and down her body.

“Don’t get too excited,” I chided. “You need sleep.”

“Are you sure we don’t have time for something else first?”

“Sleep first.” The blood rushing to my cock thought otherwise.

“Sometimes I hate it when you’re so protective.”

“Someone needs to look out for you.” I pickedher up and carried her to the bed, placing her gently on top. I returned to the bathing chamber—grabbing us each a robe.

“Thank you for looking out for me.” She wrapped her arms around my torso as she kneeled on the bed.

I wrapped my arms around her in return. “I’ve always got my eyes on you, Sweetheart.”

Her lips drifted over my jaw before finally meeting my own. I gripped her hips, drawing her closer as her hand drifted to my hair.

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