The extremely muscled arm banded around me and the silk pillow under my head tell me that I’ve been relocated to a bed—a very comfortable and luxurious one at that. One would think I’d panic at the fact that a man’s arm is around me, but instinctively, I know it’s Kian.
Why in Luna’s name he’s in bed with me is a question I will have to ask when he awakens. For now, his soft, even breaths tickle the back of my neck, and I’m afraid to move for fear it will disturb him—and shockingly, I’m really enjoying this. It’ll never happen again, but still, it’s not altogether unpleasant.
A low growl comes out of Kian, and I stiffen. Did I move too much? He pulls me closer, and . . . yes, that’s an erection pressing against my backside. A flush of warmth heats my cheeks, but no. That’s completely normal for men, right? I try to think back to the stories Sera told me about her conquests, recalling how much they’d made me blush and also feel a tiny bit jealous.
Kian moves again, and I think I feel lips on the back of my neck. He moves his arm, and then there’s a hand pressed against my stomach. I’m a bundle of nerves and butterflies as his hand dips lower.
Okay! That’s enough. I grab his hand, fling it away from me, and promptly roll away from my husband.
“Rae?” a sleep-addled voice says. “Oh shit, did I do something wrong?”
I sit up and look down at my dazed and confused husband. “No, everything’s fine. I just need to get up to use the privy.”
Kian smiles sleepily and stretches his arms overhead. “I’m sorry for moving you without asking. I thought you’d be more comfortable here.”
I blush, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “It was very comfortable, thank you.” A yawn overtakes me, and I cover my mouth with my hand. “What time do you think it is?”
Kian glances at the window. “I’d guess it’s late afternoon by now.”
I laugh. “We must have been tired.”
“Well, it was an eventful night to say the least.”
“I’ll be right back,” I say and hop out of bed, running to the bathing room to take care of my needs.
My face is completely flushed when I look into the mirror. I feel lazy for sleeping the entire day away, but my body clearly needed it.
Oh hells. I palm my face. I completely forgot to take my tonic. I’ll need to see about procuring more, but I have to admit, I’m not completely sure what’s in it. I accidentally skipped a few doses here and there in the last month, and it didn’t seem to negatively affect me or make me feel all that different, which begs the question—why does my father insist on me taking it?
“Kian?” I call out as I re-enter his room. “Do you know where my satchel is?”
Kian responds from the sitting room, “It’s in here, love.”
I pad into the sitting area to find Kian lounging in a leather armchair, a drink in hand. “Would you like some?”
“No thanks.” I shake my head and glance around the room, finally spotting my satchel. After digging around, I pull out the single vial of tonic.
“What’s that?” Kian asks.
“My tonic.”
Kian chuckles. “A contraceptive tonic?”
My eyes flash to his, cheeks heating with embarrassment. “No! I mean, I don’t know?”
Kian frowns. “What do you mean you don’t know? You’re about to take a tonic and you’re not even sure what it does?” The incredulity in his voice makes me feel rather foolish.
I shrug, almost helplessly. “My father has been making me take it for as long as I can remember. He says if I don’t, it will make me sick . . . I’ve only missed it a few times and so far nothing bad has happened . . . but I’m not sure if I should risk it.”
Kian sets his glass of amber liquid down and strides over to me. “May I?”
I nod, and he holds the golden tonic up to the light.
“Perhaps one of our alchemists can determine what it’s for and replicate it if necessary. Who prepared it at home?”
“Our chef always had it for me, but I’m not actually sure where he got it from. I never thought to ask.”
“Ah, sweet Rae, so trusting now, aren’t we?”
