CHAPTER 59: MASSAGE

For some reason, Emira could not keep herself awake. Part of her wanted to believe it was rebellion, that she was disobeying Prince Kael’s command not to sleep. But the truth was simpler- the water was too soothing, its warmth seeping into her body until all the aches in her muscles began to melt away.

It was only after a few minutes after sitting in the bathtub that she had noticed the faint scent of herbs rising from the bath, sharp and earthy beneath the steam. The bath had been prepared with medicine meant to ease pain and stiffness. That explained why her legs no longer felt like stone, why the deep soreness was ebbing with each passing breath.

Her eyelids grew heavy again, and her head dipped before she caught herself. No, she couldn’t stay here. She needed to get out before she truly fell asleep.

Forcing herself upright, she blinked and scanned the bathroom, expecting to see a towel hanging nearby. But her relief quickly turned into dismay. The bathroom was bare. No towel. No robe. Nothing at all.

Her eyes darted toward the ground, where her torn dress still lay in a heap. That single tattered piece of cloth was the only thing available to her.

Before she could decide what to do, the bathroom door creaked open. Emira’s heart lurched in her chest, and she froze in the water.

Prince Kael stepped inside as if her presence, her state of undress, meant nothing. Panic shot through her veins. She hurriedly drew her arms across her chest and sank lower into the water, the steam curling around her like a weak shield.

Her throat tightened. She didn’t dare speak.

He stopped at the edge of the tub, his sharp eyes sweeping over her once—cold, detached, unreadable. Then, without ceremony, he extended the robe toward her.

"Cover yourself," he said flatly.

The words held no warmth, no softness. Just command.

Emira’s hands trembled as she reached out, still keeping herself hidden beneath the water. Her fingers brushed the fabric, but before she could pull it to her, Kael’s grip held firm. He didn’t let go immediately, forcing her to look up at him.

Her breath hitched under the weight of his gaze and she looked at him in confusion.

"I’ve already seen all of you. Step out or you’ll wet the bathrobe."

Emira felt herself go red as her face flushed. What Prince Kael said was indeed the truth, and yet, hearing it in that cold indifferent voice, somehow made her feel humiliated.

Emira’s cheeks burned hot, but she forced herself to move. Her legs trembled as she pushed to her feet, water dripping from her skin in rivulets. The cool air rushed over her body, and she shivered as if exposed to ice.

The bathrobe was pulled tightly around her before she could even reach for it. Kael had already moved, wrapping the heavy fabric around her shoulders with a swiftness that left no space for hesitation or modesty. The thick cloth clung to her damp skin, heavy and suffocating, but at least it hid her from his eyes.

She fumbled to secure the robe, but the knot never came.

Because in the next breath, she was swept up again. His arms locked around her as though she weighed nothing, and the sudden motion startled a small gasp out of her. Her wet hair clung to her face, water dripping onto his arm as he carried her back into the bedroom without a word.

Emira’s hands clutched at the robe, desperate to hold it closed, but she couldn’t stop him. His stride was too sure, too unrelenting.

The next moment, she was tossed forward. Her body landed face down on the bed, the mattress catching her with a muffled thud. The robe slipped dangerously loose, and she scrambled to grab the edges, her breath coming in shallow bursts as she tried to protect her modesty.

"Stay," came the command and somehow, after being manhandled throughout, she could not help but turn her head and snap back," I am not a dog."

Of course, in the next minute, as Prince Kael’s narrowed and he asked," What did you say?" Emira realized her folly. She gulped and said in a small voice," I said I am not a dog, your majesty."

With that, she was about to sit up and try and snuggle into the blanket to cover herself, when he pushed her down again, and the hem of her bathrobe was pushed up, leaving her buttocks bare.

Emira froze at this and struggled but he simply smacked her once and ordered," Don’t move..."

In the next minute, she felt something cool against her and relaxed as she realised in wonder, he was applying some sort of medicine...

***

Prince Kael watched the skin with faint marks of his own fingers splattered on the white flesh and something in him tightened. He’d planned to give her the medicine and leave. But somehow, he’d been unable to stop himself. He’d wanted to see his mark on her... His wolf desired it. And now, with her bathrobe bunched around her waist, seeing her spread out to him, wearing only his mark, made desire surge within him.

As she struggled to escape and cover herself, his hand moved of its own accord and he smacked her lightly. And watched the skin quiver and redden under his touch... His wolf growled in pleasure at the sight, instigating him to do more...Rub, caress... bite, taste.

Clenching his hand, he poured a bit of the cold oil and watched her stiffen. In the next minute, he placed his hand over the liquid on her bare flesh, his fingers rubbing it in circles.

Her skin was hot under his touch and the sight of it made his desire deepen... He dragged his palm lower, spreading it with a deliberate slowness, each stroke more intimate as he spread her bottom and rubbed the oil between the crease, teasing her and himself....

He heard her breath catch and smirked faintly, letting his finger brush against the little hole there, before moving lower towards her more intimate areas...