Chapter 65 Naked Bambi
Bella
Adventure, as it turns out, has to wait, because the moment I try to stand, I realise something deeply horrifying—my legs no longer function like legs. They feel like jelly. Trembling, traitorous, thoroughly uncooperative jelly.
I blink at the floor, then at Damien. “You said we were taking an adventure,” I mutter, gripping the edge of the bed. “You didn’t mention it would involve physical therapy.”
He looks up from where he’s fastening the clasp on his jacket, one brow raised. “You can’t even stand?”
“I can too.” I push myself upright, jaw set, determination burning. Then the universe laughs in my face. My knees wobble, my thighs protest, and I immediately stumble forward with a strangled yelp.
Damien’s there before I can hit the ground, arms catching me with infuriating ease. His chest is solid and warm, the mark under my hand pulsing faintly in sync with mine. And then—he laughs. Actually laughs.
“You’re like a naked Bambi,” he says, amusement crackling through his voice like kindling catching fire.
I stare at him, stunned. “Did you just make a joke?”
He grins, slow and disarming. “Perhaps.”
“Wow.” I blink, clutching his shoulders for balance. “Is this your first one? Because that was…something.”
“Something?”
“Yeah,” I say, trying not to smile. “You’re going to have to work on your delivery, Mr. Scary Dragon King.”
His eyes soften in a way that makes my stomach flip. “You’re sore.”
“And you’re smug,” I shoot back, though my voice comes out more breathless than I intend.
He chuckles, a deep sound that vibrates through both of us. “And yet you still ended up in my arms.”
“That’s gravity’s fault, not mine.”
“Of course,” he murmurs, utterly unconvinced. He shifts slightly, still holding me steady. “You should rest. We’ll leave when you’ve recovered.”
“I’m fine,” I insist. “Just a little… sore.”
He tilts his head. “A little?”
I narrow my eyes. “Don’t you dare smirk.”
“I would never,” he says, immediately smirking.
I try to glare, but it dissolves into laughter. The sound bursts out of me unexpectedly, bright and unguarded, and for a moment, the whole world feels lighter. He sits me effortlessly back onto the bed. “You’re resting,” he says simply.
“Bossy,” I mutter.
“Effective,” he counters.
“You can’t just order me around.”
“I just did.”
I flop back into the pillows, grinning despite myself. “You’re lucky you’re attractive.”
His brow arches. “Lucky?”
“Very,” I say sweetly. “Otherwise I’d have frozen you solid by now.”
He huffs a quiet laugh, the sound curling around me like warmth from a hearth. He turns as if to leave but pauses, glancing back at me. His mouth opens, then shuts again.
“What?” I ask, suspicious.
He clears his throat. “You might… want to bathe before you rest.”
My brow shoots up. “Wow. Subtle.”
His ears turn pink. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Oh, it’s exactly what you meant,” I smirk. “You’re saying I smell like dragon.”
His dragon rumbles through his chest, amused. "You do," it murmurs, low enough for me to feel the vibration in the air. Damien winces faintly. “Ignore him.”
“Hard to, considering he’s using your mouth.”
His dragon rumbles through his chest, the sound low and amused. But this time… it doesn’t stop there.
I can use his mouth in other ways too, Snowflake, a deep voice purrs—except it doesn’t come from Damien’s mouth. It comes from inside my head.
I jolt, eyes widening as I whip my gaze up to his. Damien’s expression mirrors mine, all startled confusion. “Did you—did you hear that?” he asks.
My heart lurches. “Oh my gods,” I whisper, clutching my temples. “There’s a dragon in my head.”
The voice chuckles again, richer this time, curling through my thoughts like warm smoke. Would you rather I speak to you here instead, Snowflake?
I freeze. “He’s—he’s in my head!”
Damien’s jaw clenches, eyes narrowing as if he’s listening too.
The dragon’s rumble deepens, smug and unbothered. In your head, in your—
“Don’t finish that sentence,” Damien snaps aloud.
I blink. “Wait—you can hear him too?”
Of course he can, the dragon says smoothly. We share a mind, a heart, a mate. It’s rather efficient.
Damien pinches the bridge of his nose, muttering under his breath. “Don’t listen to him.”
She should, the dragon insists, smug as sin. I like her voice in here.
“Oh my god,” I groan, dropping my head into my hands. “He flirts telepathically.”
Damien exhales, a mixture of exasperation and resigned disbelief. “Welcome to the bond,” he says dryly. “It only gets worse from here.”
I try to hide behind my hands. “I think I need a bath before my brain actually melts.”
“Good idea,” Damien says a little too quickly, turning toward the adjoining bathroom like it might save him. “I’ll—uh—run it for you.”
He means well, the dragon purrs in my head. But he’s picturing it.
“Stop that,” I hiss.
I’m not doing anything,” the dragon protests. Yet.
I point toward the bathroom door. “Go. Both of you.”
Damien drags a hand over his face, the corners of his mouth twitching despite himself. “It’s physically impossible for me to leave without him.”
“Then tell him to shut up.”
“I’ve been trying for years,” he mutters.
Steam begins to curl out from the bathroom after a few seconds as the sound of rushing water fills the silence. When he finally gestures for me to follow, I do—slowly, because my legs are still unreliable and because walking toward a bathtub with the Dragon King is… well, it’s not exactly helping. The ensuite is huge, all marble and gold fixtures, with a massive sunken tub big enough for three people. The water already runs in a smooth cascade from the tap, scented faintly with something floral. I stare at it like it’s heaven.
Damien leans against the counter, arms crossed. “There. Hot, steady temperature. No frost.”
“You sound proud of yourself,” I say.
He shrugs. “I’ve been told I’m capable of basic plumbing.”
He’s capable of much more than that, the dragon says in my mind, voice dripping heat. If you’d just ask—
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence either!” I snap.
Damien blinks, ears burning as he pushes off the counter. “Right. I’ll… give you privacy.”
Coward, the dragon hums.
“Quiet,” Damien growls aloud.
I can’t help laughing, the sound bubbling out before I can stop it. “You two are exhausting.”
He pauses at the door, eyes softening. “Call if you need anything, Snowflake.”
When he’s gone, the dragon’s presence lingers, warm and heavy in my thoughts. He really does mean well, it murmurs. But he’s thinking about you in that water.
I roll my eyes, slipping into the bath anyway. The heat bites at first, then melts every ache until I sink down with a sigh. You’re incorrigible. I think back to him.
And you’re aroused, the dragon purrs. He’ll feel it through the bond.
I smile faintly, closing my eyes as steam curls around me. Good, I whisper, sinking deeper. Let him know I’m giving him a five-star review for his hospitality.
The dragon chuckles, a pleased, protective sound. Of course, Snowflake.