Page 15 of The Soulbond and Her Beloved

But of course she did. She was Aekeira.

Always attentive. Watching him with those perceptive brown eyes that saw straight through him.

“Alright,” he said, his voice rough.

She pulled back slightly, taking his much larger hand in her smaller one, leading him toward the bed. “Please, lie down.”

She steadied him as he sank onto the mattress. His vision swam, fading in and out, but he could still make out her movements.

Walking to the door, she opened it briefly to speak to someone—likely Yaz—before closing it again. Then she moved to the large tub that was brought in earlier, one he had been too busy holding on to his clanging head to use.

Vladya's unfocused gaze tracked her every move. Rolling up her sleeves, she uncorked a bottle of fragrant oil, pouring it carefully into the water. Stirring the bath with her hand, she spread the soothing scent through the air.

A calm came over him. The kind he hadn’t felt in a while.

The pounding voices in his head began to lower their volume. Fading from deafening screams to murmurs. They were still there but quieter now. Easier to ignore.

It was the most peace he’d had in over a week.

Between Daemonikai’s downward spiral, the court tensions, and his strained relationship with Aekeira, it was safe to say his mind had been inchaos.

But now, as he watched her again, here in his space, the scent of her in histerritory, the storm inside him began to settle.

“Your bath is ready, my lord,” she said, standing in front of him.

His eyes snapped open, startled. He had actually drifted off?

But just to be clear, he asked, “I slept?”

“You did." A hint of a smile touched her lips. "But only for a few moments.”

He exhaled a slow breath. “I haven’t had a decent sleep in a long while.”

Eyes soft, she leaned in closer, her voice tender. “Well, let’s get you ready for one now.”

Taking his hand again, she guided him to the edge of the tub. Vladya followed without protest, allowing her to help him undress.

The heat of the water enveloped him as he sank into it, his shoulders dipping beneath the surface.

He let out a low, relieved sigh.

Kneeling beside the tub, Aekeira reached for a clean cloth, dipping it into the water before wringing it out.

Pressing the damp cloth to his neck, she wiped gently. Soothing.

Vladya relaxedfurtherwith every touch.

She wiped his arms and hands, her thumbs brushing over the calluses on his palms. Reaching for a small vial of soap,she poured a modest amount into her hands, lathering it before spreading it across his shoulders and back.

At some point, he must have fallen asleep again. Because when he opened his eyes, the bath was over, and she was urging him out of the tub.

She helped him dress, and now stood in his nightclothes, her hands guiding him back to the bed.

“Here.” She held up a small bottle of potion, bringing it to his lips. “Drink this.”

When had Yaz brought the potion?He didn’t remember hearing the door, but it didn’t matter.

The liquid slid down his throat with a faintly bitter aftertaste. He was so sleepy his eyes were barely open.

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