“Then you underestimate yourself.” He pointed to the bed. “Can I sit?”
I nodded.
He flopped down beside me. “You didn’t answer my question.”
I scooted away from him. “Why so close?”
“Moth to a flame, love. Answer me, please.”
“I feel like shit. Everything hurts. It’s stress and worry. I can’t shut my mind off.”
He rubbed my arm through the blanket. “Maybe we should get you some medicine. You used to take some before.”
I shook my head. “I already did. It’s not working well today.”
“I can go find something else.”
I closed my eyes, a despair sneaking into my mind. I wasn’t a stranger to this pain. This was my life. My family had tried everything they could when I was little to help me. We’d searched the entire realm with no luck. We even tried getting to the portals so we could go to the human realm for help. However, the Prinaths, who controlled all unseelie portals, did not allow us access due to our kingdoms being enemies. And the Seelie fae didn’t trust any unseelie to enter the human realm and not wreak havoc.
Eventually I got discouraged from trying to find a cure, and the only way I could get my parents to give up and stop stressing themselves and wasting our money was to pretend that the pain had lessened and become manageable by potions. I hated when others worried over me, and I especially hated when they saw me as helpless. It’s what others expected of an omega. Couple that with being a noble and I felt like a waste to society. I wanted to do more. I wanted to be seen as more. I wanted to forge my way on my own and the only way I could do that was to get through the pain.
I opened my eyes. “I’ve tried everything. I need a nap. I’ll be fine.”
Ivan did not look appeased. He never was. It was as if he had the ability to tell when I was hiding my pain. He continued to rub my arm, his eyes holding more affection than I wanted to see. I couldn’t accept it. “What hurts, love?”
And yet when he called me love, my stomach fluttered at the term of endearment. He made me feel special. Not just special but special to him. It felt good. Having his affection always had that effect on others and I was no different. “My elbows, lower back, and knees are achy and throbbing.”
He touched the top of the blanket at my chin. “Can I?”
I already knew what he was going to do and nodded. While I was looking forward to his help, I had to remind myself that I could not get used to it. He wasn’t going to be here forever. However, for the time being, I would accept whatever help he was willing to give.
He removed the blanket and then lifted my right arm. He leaned forward and breathed cold air at the crook of my arm. Instant coolness numbed the pain, weaving its way into my muscles and ligaments and wrapping around my elbow. He then proceeded to do the same to my other elbow. It felt amazing. I would hire him to do this if he’d let me.
He tapped my shoulder. “Flip over for me, love.”
I eyed him, but his face remained neutral. “Don’t try anything,” I replied as I turned over.
He snorted. “As much as I would love to grope you, I need to get to your lower back.”
I pressed my lips together and stiffened when I felt him lift my shirt. His touch, even without the use of his power, had a tight hold on me. I missed the way he could make my body feel. As if I was weightless and perfectly healthy. Soon, another cool breeze worked its way into my body, pausing any inkling of discomfort. “You are really amazing at this,” I said in more of a moan than I meant.
I felt the softness of his lips on the arch of my back and sucked in a breath. The feel of his mouth went right to my core, and I fought with all my might to stop myself from perfuming at this intimate contact. Before I could complain, he tapped my hip. “Turn back over so I can get to your knees.”
I did as he said, suddenly feeling vulnerable as he moved between my bare legs. I had a dressing gown on so if he bent too low, he’d see my undergarments. Not the show I wanted to give. Although, it wasn’t new to him. My mind instantly went to the other night when he made me orgasm so intensely and so quickly, I thought I imagined it. His mouth was amazing. He knew how to adjust speed and pressure, and the coolness of his ice dragon tongue was pure magnificence. I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t sometimes think about his mouth when I was alone at night.
As the pain released from my knees, my body began to come alive. I stared up at the ceiling, my core tightening. This was supposed to be healing not hot. And yet, his head between my legs was hard to ignore. He looked so serious and caring as he blew, gently massaging the area afterwards. He took care of me as if it were his job, paying full attention to me. He’d always been like that. Never slacking in anything he did.
And I did mean anything. The sex was amazing every time. And now I was getting wet just thinking about him giving me oral again. So much for not perfuming.
I found myself wondering if pretending this marriage was genuine even behind closed doors wouldn’t be so bad. We would have to be together for at least a year to ensure the court didn’t get suspicious. Maybe we could have fun for now. Just for a little bit.
I looked down my body to Ivan who was already looking up at me, his green eyes gone dragon again. Yup, he had scented my arousal.
“Sunshine,” he began, his tone more of a question. “Am I done helping you?”
I understood that question to mean more than it seemed, and I wanted to tell him no. He was so effortlessly giving when it came to me. I couldn’t take advantage. I wanted his help. I wanted all of him. But I couldn’t just take. It was too easy, especially as an omega. Although he never claimed to mind. What he failed to remember was that I also enjoyed giving.
I smiled at him. “Lay back, I want to help you.”
