Chapter 15 Close Your Eyes
"My goodness! Your highness... What happened?!" Yolanda exclaimed in surprise when she saw Sebastian approaching with Fernanda in his arms. She looked paler than snow, and that made her maidservants wondered exactly what had happened on what was supposed to be their first date together as a married couple.
"Quit asking questions, she needs a warm bath." Sebastian's order cut through their respective thoughts like a sharp blade, making them all disperse to go prepare whatever Fernanda needed to get warm. "You can put me down now." She told Sebastian.
He didn't respond but strolled over to the bedside before gently placing her down on it, making sure she was comfortably rested against the pillows.
"What will happen to the Askorians now?" Fernanda asked. Sebastian let out a deep sigh, "You are still worried about the prisoners despite your current poor condition?" He replied, looking at her in disbelief.
"You haven't answered my question," Fernanda pressed on, choosing to ignore the lack of warmth in Sebastian's eyes when she mentioned the prisoners. "All thanks to you, their lives are spared. But they continue to stay prisoners." He finally answered the question she asked.
Fernanda was not satisfied with his response, infact, she wasn't sure the Askorians were truly going to be spared. "You look like you do not believe me," Sebastian said, his icy gaze still on her.
Fernanda slightly frowned, wondering how he knew what she was thinking. "Are you reading my thoughts?" She exclaimed in disbelief, raising an eyebrow. Sebastian smirked, "I do not need to be inside your mind to know whether you trust me or not," He told her, gently squeezing her cold hands into his as he tried to keep them warm. "It's written all over your face."
"Why not let them go back to their kingdom?" Fernanda felt his hands turn stiff and cold around hers immediately she said that. "Now you are asking for the impossible, my dear wife." He simply responded, withdrawing his hands.
Fernanda tried to ignore the sudden wave of cold that engulfed her body as soon as Sebastian stopped keeping her warm. How is he able to do that if he wields ice? Ice wielders aren't particularly known for their warmth despite also being werewolves.
"Why? You should be working towards making peace with the other kingdoms, not warring with them all the time." Fernanda retorted, her voice bolder and sharper than before.
"You are unbelievably credulous if you think that's how peacemaking works. That would be me showing the other kingdoms how weak I am. These prisoners are my war prizes, evidences of victory and a display of superiority." Sebastian stated, his voice low and eyes glinting with something primal and dangerous.
Fernanda tried to blink away the tears that threatened to show. She realized now that countless of battles and victories has eaten deep into him, making it all he knows. "Even your words are laden with tyranny, Sebastian." She said in a whisper. "I do what is needed to be done to protect the kingdom I rule. I know no other way." Sebastian responded.
"Your bath is ready, your highness." A maidservant's voice was heard from a short distance. "You can all leave." Sebastian said and they were finally left alone.
"There's always another way." She told him as she tried to get down from the bed. "I can walk myself to the bath," She said when he moved to carry her. "As delightful as it would be to see you try, I absolutely do not want to see my wife falling headfirst onto the floor." He said, a subtle smirk carved on his handsome face.
Fernanda's cheeks flushed crimson as he effortlessly lifted her into his arms, she clasped her hands against her chest to avoid touching him. A soft sigh escaped her mouth as he entered the bathroom with her. It was then she actually realized he was in the bathroom with her!
Even Sebastian himself had gotten confused on what step had to be taken next. He gently placed her down but his hands were still firmly against her waist to steady her. "I will need to take off my clothes." She told him, her face reddened with nervousness.
Sebastian slightly cleared his throat as he thought of what to do, "If I let her go, she would fall." He thought. He didn't mind seeing her, she was his wife after all, but he cared that she did.
"You can go, I'll try-"
"My eyes would be closed." He interjected.
Fernanda almost didn't want to believe him, but the way he did it as if it was a sacred oath made her worry less. She undressed whilst holding on to him and he kept his promise.
A low sigh of relief escaped her mouth as she sank into the bath tub, the water warm and cozy enveloping her. He was right. Her legs still felt very numb, walking was impossible and she certainly would have fallen if she had tried.
Sebastian had already let go of her hand but still had his eyes closed. He would give anything to see her. "She has no idea how torturous it is for me to stand here while she bathes in front of me and being unable to see her, does she?" He thought, trying to contain his wolf as the familiar sweet scent of lavender clouded his thoughts.
"Or perhaps she does and is intentionally torturing me." His beast was already going wild within him, it was taking every strength in him to hold it back. "Be calm." Sebastian's order was thunderous, he couldn't afford to loose her trust again. His wolf snarled back in anger before it went still.
"Sebastian Kozlov, the strongest and most ruthless man on Lunareth, currently has his eyes closed in the bathroom with his wife. The irony behind that." Fernanda thought, surprised with how she referred to herself as his wife.
Fernanda made sure she took her time, her legs had regained some energy by the time she was done with her bath. She stood up and took a towel to wrap her body. "You can open your eyes now," She told him, shyly tucking away wet strands of her hair from her face with both hands.
Sebastian opened his eyes, which were now darker and hooded with desire.