Page 65 of A Thread of Breath and Bone

“Handsome,” he chimes in.

“Devilishly handsome,” I correct. “Incorrigible, beautiful mate.”

Our mouths meet in a tender kiss as we curl up beneath a light sheet. As we lay there with a breeze lifting the curtains, I fall more and more in love with him. It isn’t from the amount of orgasms he pulled from me, or the worshipping of my body, but because he gave me all of himself in an unrestrained, all-consuming way.

Last night was the best night of my life.

From the date and proposal to waking up naked in his arms.

I lift my hand, the large teardrop moss stone surrounded by glittering diamonds catches a stream of light and casts prisms around the room. “Thank you,” I whisper, choking on my emotions as I think about how well he understands me.

I didn’t have to tell him, he knew and understood this was what I needed. I needed to know how much I meant to him without the Lumos Bond or the mating Bond. I needed to love him and be loved by him to feel complete.

He squeezes me gently before offering me a bath. I nod, and he slips from the bed, disappearing into the hall. Minutes later, he returns and finds his sleeping pants still discarded haphazardly on the edge of the bed. He kisses me chastely before strolling back to the door and giving orders for someone to leave.

When the door closes, he scoops me off the bed and carries me right into the bathroom. Setting me on my feet, he discards his pants once more and pulls me into the pool of warm water.

I sink into the bath now brimming with bubbles and scented oils, letting out a soft moan as the heat soothes my aching core. I drop my head back, closing my eyes. I hear Ryker moving around and moments later, his hands grip my thigh, before gently dragging a soft sponge over my core. He takes care to wash me, alternating between soft caresses and massaging until every inch of me, including my hair, has been washed and treated to a relaxing massage.

“I’ll be right back,” Ryker says, placing a tender kiss on my forehead before standing and heading out of the tub.

I bite my lip, taking all his nakedness in and the way the water glides down his body before he wraps a fluffy white towel around his waist. He looks back briefly, leaving me with a wink and a smile.

I must fall asleep because a moment later, I’m awoken by Ryker’s arms wrapping around me and lifting me from the water. I didn’t realize I was so tired. I nuzzle into his neck, inhaling his scent, as my arms wrap around him. Moments later, he lays me on a towel and tucks me into his sheets. I’m out again, just as I feel the slight pressure of the mattress and him crawling in beside me.

I wake again sometime later to Ryker in the bed beside me. He’s seated, leaning against the headboard, donning black pants and hologram glasses. There’s something that pulls at me seeing him like this. Relaxed, barefoot, no shirt, sitting in bed working. His hands pull at something I can’t see, and he begins scrolling like he’s reading a document.

With a soft inhale, I stretch, catching his attention. A smile spreads across his face as he removes the glasses, tossing them onto the nightstand and turning toward me.

“Do you feel rested?”

I nod, curling up on his stomach.

As he brushes my hair, he says, “We missed lunch, so I had a tray brought to us. It seems when my mother came earlier, she left a few staff members here to clean up and take care of things. We need to get ready for a meeting.” He brushes a hand down my spine, and I realize I’m no longer naked. I sit up straight, taking in the large black shirt I’m dressed in. I also have underwear on and nothing else.

“You were shivering, and I looked through the bag Mera packed, but I couldn’t figure out how to get your bra on…” He rubs the back of his neck, embarrassed. “Figured a shirt would suffice for now.”

His shyness around this makes me smile. For all the compromising positions we’ve been in and every inch of my body he’s touched, licked, or sucked, this is what makes him blush?

I let him off the hook by telling him it's perfect and the bras Mera brought require being tied on. Looking at the clock, I remember we’re supposed to be in a meeting in just over an hour.

I jump from the bed, looking back to see Ryker do the same, and move through the cottage, needing to find Mera. Swinging open the door, I’m startled to find Mera and Queen Priana there, along with Rune, Ezra, and Leif. I hadn’t heard them talking in hushed voices. My cheeks heat at the gathered group. I realize I’m still in Ryker’s shirt and probably look like a crazy mess from falling asleep with wet hair.

“Well, time to get to work,” Queen Priana says, looking me over with amusement.

Ryker brushes a hand along my lower back as he meets me at the door. He mutters something that sounds a lot like ‘fuck me,’ but I can’t be sure.

“You warded your room,” the Queen says to Ryker. “I’m not going to ask. Nonetheless, may I come in?”

Ryker pulls the door open further, allowing his mother, Mera, and Leif to file into the intimate space. Mera excuses herself, saying she needs Aza and Zhel’s help to have me ready in time. Apparently, they’re on the transport they came over on with the Queen.

Once the door is closed again, Queen Priana makes her way to the sofas and takes up a seat, patting the one beside her. “Princess Raea only,” she says to both Ryker and me.

He runs a hand through his hair, kissing me on the back of the head, before disappearing back into the living space with Leif.

“I’ve brought you this,” she says as I take a seat beside her. She places a small vial of yellow liquid in my hand. “It’s a contraceptive tonic. A single dose should last for the duration of your stay.”

My cheeks flush as I turn the glass between my fingers. I’ve been taking a contraceptive for months now—just in case. But I don’t tell her that.