Page 161 of Scourged
“I look forward to being whole again. To being complete. United with the gods, and all seven of you by my side, for eternity.”
Hundreds of years, and she was ready to rest.
Chapter 56
Andrian had always thought the bathtub in the queen’s chambers was a bit ridiculous. Far too large, far too indulgent.
But as he sank further into the decadently warm water, he could feel his opinion on the matter change.
Especially when the sound of soft footsteps had his eyes cracking open. His queen walked into the bathroom, shedding her silk robe and stepping into the tub, settling herself across from him.
Much too far.
That wouldn’t do.
He knew hunger consumed his expression. His cock hardened beneath the surface of the water; his fingers twitched on the armrests.
Mariah simply smiled at him, a wicked little expression, before closing her eyes and dunking her head beneath the surface. Her legs brushed his, and it took every ounce of his control to keep himself from latching onto her, from dragging her to him.
But he refrained, and she reemerged a few moments later, pushing her wet hair from her face and wiping the water fromher eyes. She blinked at him, lashes heavy with droplets of water, and grinned.
“Oh, please,” Mariah purred. “Don’t look at me like that. Am I not allowed to enjoy a bath in peace?”
“No. You’re not. Not anymore.”
She pouted. “And why is that? Just can’t get enough?”
He growled, leaning forward as he braced his arms on the ledge. “No. I’ll never get enough of you. I feel like a man starved, and even if I indulge on you every single day for the rest of my life, I will never be sated.”
It was true. A day had passed since he’d asked her to cut his hair. A day since he’d gotten down on his knees and begged, pleaded that she find it in herself to trust him again. A day since he’d shared the last little pieces of himself, the only ones he had left.
A day since he’d told her that all along, he’d been worshiping her, even when he hadn’t known it.
Her eyes widened for just a moment, bottled emotion flashing behind the forest green. It didn’t drop away, not quite, but it shifted into something more playful, more teasing.
More …Mariah.
“Isn’t that sweet,” she said, another smile twisting her lips. “I might feel the same. But, as much as I love you, I still love my baths more.” She leaned back. “And right now, I desperately need to wash my hair.”
He watched her for a moment, deciding his next words. “Let me do it.”
She stilled. “What?”
He swallowed, his blood hotter than the water around him. “Let me wash your hair.”
Her eyes darted between his before she shrugged. “Fine. I suppose.”
Andrian huffed a laugh.Brat. “Turn around. And grab the shampoo.”
Surprisingly, she did as he asked. Swiping the bottle off the ledge, Mariah turned and slid back. She handed him the bottle, tucking herself between his knees. He squeezed a coin-sized amount into his palm before clipping the bottle closed, setting it behind him, and ran a finger down her arm. His lips twitched as goosebumps rose along her flesh.
No matter what she tried to hide from him, her body would always betray her.
“Lean back,” he murmured. She did, and he slid his hands into her hair, working the shampoo into a rich lather. A high-pitched groan slipped from her throat, and his grin widened.
“Why history?”
Her question surprised him, his hands still tangled deep in her hair. Despite the shortened length, it was still thick. Easy to get lost in. “What do you mean?”