Page 86 of His Queen

“What’s wrong, my queen,” Vlad asks, his deep voice resonating in the dimly lit room as he pulls me into his strong, comforting arms. The faint scent of his cologne lingers in the air.

“Nothing, go back to sleep,” I reply, my voice tinged with weariness.

“Tell me,” he says with a yawn, his warm breath brushing against my ear.

I sigh, feeling the weight of my thoughts pressing down on me. “I can’t sleep. I just have a lot on my mind.”

“Well, then. I will stay up with you. Tell me what is bothering you,” he insists, his voice filled with determination.

“It’s nothing. Go back to sleep. You need to rest,” I plead, my fingers tracing absent-minded patterns on his chest.

“I can’t. I’m awake now, and if you can’t sleep, then neither can I. Now, tell me what’s wrong,” he states firmly, his grip tightening around me.

“It’s my father. I know he was a bad man, but he was still my father,” I confess, my voice trembling.

“That man stopped being your father the moment he sold you,” he declares, his arms enveloping me protectively. I feel a rush of gratitude for his unwavering support.

It’s moments like this that prove to me he is the love of my life. The only man for me. But it doesn’t stop the nightmares.

“I know. But it’s not easy. I didn’t even hesitate. I killed him and didn’t even flinch,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Rose, he sold you. He was supposed to love you and protect you, but he didn’t. He was a terrible father,” he reminds me, pulling me back into his lap and cradling me gently.

I lean into his touch, feeling the softness of his embrace. “I know this can’t be easy for you, but I am always here for you,” he reassures, his fingers gently smoothing my hair away from my face. He leans in and kisses me on the nose, filling my senses with his love.

“I know,” I sigh, finding solace in his presence as I snuggle closer to him. “I don’t know why it’s bothering me so much.”

“Because it was a traumatic experience. But I promise, once we have the families back under control, you can rest. You will see everything will work out,” he promises, his voice filled with determination.

“I hope you are right. This has been hard. There were many people who didn’t like my father’s rules. But the fact that I am allying us with Demetrius seems to bother them more than the fact that I am a woman now. It seems they just want something to bitch about,” I say, frustration lacing my words.

“They will see, soon, that this will benefit everyone. The Bratva are a good allies. We are not their enemies,” he affirms, his voice steady and resolute.

"I know."

"Come on, let's get you cleaned up and in dressed for the day."

I groan, the sound resonating in the quiet room, but begrudgingly, I force myself to rise and shuffle towards the bathroom. The cold tiles beneath my bare feet send a shiver up my spine, a stark contrast to the warmth of the room. I can’t quite explain why this bothers me so much. Perhaps it’s the conflicting memories of my father, his cruelty juxtaposed with the tender moments of my childhood. Images of him reading to me and taking me on outings flood my mind, like faded photographs from a distant past.

A heavy weight of guilt settles in my chest, pressing down on me as if I’m submerged underwater. But then Vlad’s voice breaks through the turmoil, soothing and reassuring. “I’m here. Just lean on me and let me help you. Trust me.” His words, like a lifeline, remind me I’m not alone.

“I know. I love you,” I whisper, my voice barely audible, as he guides me into the steaming shower. The warm water cascades over my body, washing away the remnants of sleep and the burdens of the day. It’s as if the droplets carry away my worries, leaving me cleansed and renewed.

“And I love you, my queen,” he murmurs, his voice a gentle melody in the steam-filled room. “More than you could ever know.”

Tears well up in my eyes as I respond, my voice filled with gratitude. “You have no idea what you have done for me. Without you, I would have no one. I would have no chance.”

He pauses for a moment, his hand on my shoulder, as he looks into my eyes with unwavering sincerity. “That is not true. You would have made it work. You are so strong and brave. And beautiful. But, I can’t deny that I am glad I found you.”

A bittersweet smile graces my lips as I wrap my arms around him, seeking solace in his embrace. His warmth envelops me, like a shield against the world’s troubles. In this moment, I find comfort, a respite from the façade of strength I’ve been wearing for others.

He gazes down at me, his eyes filled with understanding. Vlad sees beyond the mask I wear, peering into the depths of my soul. He senses when something troubles me, even when I try to hide it. And he never hesitates to do whatever it takes to ease my burdens.

Amidst the soothing symphony of water splashing and the lingering aroma of soap in the air, I find solace in Vlad’s unwavering support. With him by my side, I feel truly seen, heard, and loved. And for that, I will forever be grateful.

“Come on, you need a distraction,” Vlad suggests, his voice cutting through the serenity. “Let’s freshen up and head downstairs.”

“Are we expecting a meeting?” I inquire, curious about his sudden urge to take me out.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com