Page 79 of Poisoned Empire

He swept her up in his arms, relieving the aches in her legs and feet. If she weren’t already set on it, that kindness alone would have convinced her to marry him.

“Your wish is my command.” He smiled.

She was beyond any feeling of embarrassment as the nobles they passed gasped or giggled, such was her fatigue. Her head resting on his chest, she let the sound of his heartbeat and the warmth of him soothe her. He navigated the remaining maze of corridors and covered walkways with ease, and they entered the part of the palace complex reserved for commanders of the military and their families. Of all the buildings, Marduk’s was the largest, with several grand rooms branching off a well-tended central courtyard. Once inside, he instructed the servant to prepare the bedroom and leave. Gently placing her on the cool sheets, he removed the shoes from her swollen feet and tucked her in.

“When you wake, we’ll have something to eat. Sleep well.” He leaned down to kiss her brow.

She hated the sight of dark circles like bruises under his eyes, his shoulders slumped with fatigue. No doubt he too had been run ragged preparing for the potential of another war. Worse, the dangers wouldn’t necessarily end if the magistri were captured. The nobles of their territories might seize on the situation either out of crass opportunism or blind loyalty. She’d been treated to every doomsday scenario courtesy of her honorary place in the prince’s meetings. Iliana touched his cheek, his stubble scraping her fingers.

“Stay. You need the rest as much as I.”

“I’m not sure-”

“Right now, neither of us has the energy for anything else. Don’t be stubborn.”

Marduk grinned boyishly.

“Don’t be so certain of that.”

Iliana rolled her eyes and began drifting off. Marduk slipped under the covers next to her and kissed her head before settling. Iliana fell asleep to the sound of his slow, even breaths, cradled against his chest, his arm protectively embracing her.

When she woke, the last glorious rays of sunlight were streaming into her room, painting the sky in a thousand shades of orange. She felt refreshed, though the tangled mess of her dress had given her new kinks in her back. A small table by the window was already piled high with fruits, cheeses and meats, and a bottle of wine with two glasses nearby. She poured herself a glass. Her only complaint about the room was that the bed was unnaturally high and large, to accommodate Marduk’s frame.

Splashing caught her attention. Had her fiancé decided to take a dip in the bath? She crept to the door of the luxurious bathroom and spied her man enjoying the steaming waters of the smooth brick pool. She was enjoying the view profusely until the steam cleared and she noticed two jagged, upraised scars along his back. Iliana gasped at the unexpected sight. The door swung open on its hinge.

Marduk turned and grinned.

“Spying is a bad habit, darling.”

When he saw that it wasn’t embarrassment that had surprised her, the humour bled from his expression. His lips thinned, his eyes averted.

“You had wings,” Iliana finally managed to choke out. “Who would do such a thing?” Horrified tears welled up in her eyes.

“The same kind of man who would slaughter nearly a whole royal family,” Marduk replied. He turned from her and wrapped himself in a towel, refusing to meet her eyes. “I’m sorry you had to see that. I hope you can overlook it in the future.”

Iliana was rooted to the spot. Gods below, the assassin who had murdered the imperial children nearly three decades ago…Marduk would have been no more than a child himself. The barbarity of it made her ill, until blistering anger replaced it. How many had made him feel like less of a mage for having lost his wings? Even now, the great strategos stood before her, ashamed of his scars. She placed her palm on his warm, wet chest before he could pass by her, stopping him in his tracks. She forced him to meet her eyes.

“I believe you were about to coax me into the bath with you, Strategos,” she purred.

His eyes widened with disbelief.

“I believe I was about to let you,” she continued.

Marduk tossed his bundled clothes aside. She flicked her eyes to the towel at his waist. It disappeared like the rest. Iliana began pulling off her simple frock.

“I was going to extract promises from you for every article of clothing I removed.” She plucked at the ties lacing her slip. Marduk swallowed, his eyes riveted to her chest as she slowly exposed it. “You were going to agree to each and every one, naturally.”

She pushed him farther, until he was ankle-deep in the pool. Left with only a thin slip, Marduk drank in the sight of her with stark greed. She didn’t mind in the least. She was enjoying the view. Rarely had she met a man so well built. Broad shoulders, thick arms, muscled thighs, an impressive chest, and a trail of dark hair that led straight down to a prize that had her aching with anticipation. Thank the gods this was not her first time, or she might have looked upon him in trepidation rather than abject lust.

“And then?” he asked, his voice husky. Her own greedy stare had not gone unnoticed.

“I was going to demand you keep your first promise.”

“Which was?”

Iliana removed her last article of clothing, baring herself in front of him. She could see he was wound tight as a bowstring with need. For that matter, so was she. It was hard to keep her thoughts organized at the sight of him. She wanted him so needy for her that all thoughts of shame or sadness were banished for good. There was no room for those things between them.

“A massage. I’m sore, and, well, you’ve nothing else planned for the evening.”

---