If Skye had ever felt this nervous before, it was nothing compared to now. She didn't know what it was about Zed that made her so easily flustered. She was never this kind of woman, yet once she was around him, her composure seemed to melt away.
Zed dipped the washcloth into the warm water and began to gently wipe her shoulders. The motion was slow, as he traced the cloth over her smooth skin.
Skye shut her eyes, remembering his words from the night before, I want you to feel.
And now, all she could do was feel— the warmth of his touch, the strange comfort that came with being near him. He seemed to have control over her with just his voice or was he compelling her.
When his hand trailed lower, she instinctively caught his wrist. "I can manage from here, thank you" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. His red eyes watched her for a moment, but Zed didn't stop. He simply continued, completely unbothered, with a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"Zed?" she called again and He made a low sound in reply, his hands continuing their movement and Skye held her breath.
"Do I still have to wash you?" she asked, her voice small and her cheeks totally red.
"No," he replied calmly "You're tired. You need rest."
She nodded, unsure if she was disappointed or relieved.
He wanted to taunt her about last night but decided against it. Just thinking about it made him crave her again but then he wasn't sure he would have the patience to be gentle.
After the bath, he wrapped her in a soft towel and carried her back to the bed despite her protests. He even disappeared briefly, only to return with clean clothes for her. Skye felt her cheeks warm as he helped her dress.
"Thank you," she whispered embarrassedly, though she was loving every bit of his care.
"You're welcome… wife." The word sounded strange in his ears, as he wasn't used to helping people and hearing the word thank you.
He straightened. "I think Helen is waiting for you."
"Helen?" she blinked, realization dawning on her. "I will go meet her now".
Before Zed could say another word, Skye hurried out of the room, ignoring the dull ache that still lingered in her body.
Zed couldn't help but smile faintly as she left. Then, once the lamps wavered, he vanished.
—
LOCATION: UNDERWORLD
"The great Prince of Kristanlia!" his father's mocking tone greeted him the moment he stepped into the grand hall. Zed said nothing as he was used to this.
"So," his father continued, a cruel smile curling his lips, "how does it feel to share your bed with a human?"
Zed's jaw tightened, but he didn't rise to the bait. His father's laughter echoed off the marble walls like a taunt. He knew his father was spying on him. He had always been a creep. Zed ignored him and turned to leave.
"We're hosting a ball soon," his father called after him. "I assume the King and his wife will attend?" he asked while playing with his sharp nails.
"No." Zed replied.
"How can a king not attend the ball of his own people?" His father asked, smiling.
"Since when did the undead care to host balls?" Zed asked with a scoff.
"Since they have been bored"
"I have no time for this, Where's Pharian?" he asked his eyes scanning the place
His father continued to smile, "I wouldn't know."
Zed scoffed and walked away without another word.
Zed made his way down the halls towards his brother's chambers.
He found Pharian sitting at the edge of his bed, staring into nothing as he was lost in thought.
Pharian, sensing someone in the room, turned around to see Zed by the doorway.
"Brother, what brings you here?"
Zed stared for a moment, wondering why his brother looked so worried but he didn't bother to ask as Pharian wasn't one to share his feelings.
"I need your help." Zed replied.
Pharian raised a brow. "What with?"
"I'm leaving for a few days," Zed said. "I need you to protect Skye while I'm gone."
Pharian studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Of course. But… where are you going?"
Zed's eyes darkened as he remembered his destination. "To confirm something."
The way he had spoken and from the expression he held, Pharian knew not to press further.
"Then I'll watch over her," he promised with a hum.
Zed gave a single nod and turned away. He would leave that night, but first he had to find a way to tell Skye without making her worry.
***
Meanwhile, Skye hurried into her chambers to find Helen seated patiently on her bed.
"My lady," Helen said, standing at once and bowing slightly.
"Oh, Helen!" Skye breathed, wrapping her arms around her maid. Helen stiffened in surprise, then returned the embrace with concern in her eyes.
"Are you alright, my lady?" Helen tried to examine her but Skye prevented her. She had red marks all over her body from Zed making love to her last night, where his tongue and lips had trailed, and she still felt a sweet pain between her legs.
"I'm fine," Skye said, quickly waving off.
Helen's gaze lingered. She noticed faint marks along Skye's neck and frowned before pushing Skye's hair away from the place. Apart from the love bites that were evident, there was also an injury; it was the one Zed gave her when he tried to feed on her.
"Did he hurt you?" Helen asked softly, worried that the Prince had not been gentle with her to cause such an injury.
Skye froze, color rising to her cheeks. "No! No, Helen, I'm fine," she insisted, her voice flustered.
There was no point hiding it, Helen knew what they did last night. Where all the guards and maids were sent away except her. Even from her room she could hear the sounds coming out from Prince Zed's chambers.
Helen didn't seem convinced about what Skye said and only gave her lady a worried look.
"Skye?"
Skye turned away, her thoughts spinning about Zed, about the strange pull between them, and about how, for reasons she couldn't name, part of her already missed him.