will both relax soon afterwards.”
Nodding in agreement, as it seemed like a reasonable request as that was where most of my nerves were. With another
smile, he let go of one of my hands and pushed open the door with his free hand, allowing me to step into the room first.
My breath caught as my eyes widened. It wasn’t a room with a simple bath like the one I had been using. This bath was
almost as large as the bedroom itself. Surrounded by stained glass windows—decorated with moons, ravens and stars—the
moonlight shone brightly in.
Along the edge of the bath were carefully placed candles and gas lamps lighting the room, giving it an ambient, sedative
glow. The bath was filled to the very brim of hot steaming water with bubbles galore. Placed at either side of the room were
changing screens with large fluffy white towels hanging over the top.
“When I thought we needed to bathe together, I thought of a small bath, not something like this,” I said.
He followed me inside and another chuckle escaped his lips. I turned towards him, seeing the delight dance in his eyes.
“Nicholas, you could bathe an entire village in here,” I proclaimed in awe.
“Yes, well, my mother loved her baths and had this commissioned just after she became queen,” he paused to step around
me and headed towards one of the screens.
“There is a change of clothes behind your screen, ones you can wear in the water should you wish for it. I will meet you in
the bath. Please take your time, I am not going anywhere.”
He gave my hand a soft reassuring squeeze before he let go of my hand and headed towards the left screen. I stared at the
right, wishing my legs to move forward. Once I finally did, I found two tie-able pieces of white fabric sitting neatly on a stool
and as I decided what I was going to do, I heard the splash of water as Nicholas entered the bath, waiting for me.
Chapter 36
NICHOLAS
Iknew she would be nervous about this evening, but I didn’t anticipate how nervous she would be. It wasn’t surprising
however when I found she’d drunk at least four or maybe even five glasses of wine. It had been Morgana’s idea to offer the
drink up after she aided Ornella in the library.
I knew I was pushing my luck when I hugged her, and it surprised me when she didn’t push me away or get angry with me. I
wouldn’t have blamed her if she was annoyed. I needed to stop giving her so many mixed messages and simply tell her I
wanted to have her around as my wife.
Not in name alone, but fully when she was ready. Standing behind the screen, I removed what little clothing I had and
looked at the fabric April happily commissioned for me to wear. However, it hid little to the imagination and I couldn’t really
make sense of which side was the front or the back.
