When I finally struggle awake, all I can think about is how hungry I am. I groan and curl up on my side.
Luckily, Lucien knows exactly what to do and helps me sit up to get down some food.
"Your fever broke," he murmurs, combing my hair away from my face. It's wet with sweat. "And you need a bath."
"Please, not a hot one," I groan, and he chuckles, patting my head.
"No, just warm enough," he replies.
"I'll need a change of clothes," I say as I stand, stretching. "You're not going to make me wear just that vest again, are you?"
"Well, preferably you'd wear nothing at all," he chuckles, and I smack his shoulder.
"I'm not you, Lucien," I reply, but I can feel myself smiling. I really do feel much better. "Adrian probably still has that dress," I add. "I'll just wear that until I wash this one."
Adrian's shocked when he opens the door to see me, but immediately breaks into a grin and embraces me. "So what brings you here, lover? Missing me?"
"I wish I could say yes," I chuckle, and his face falls for half a second before I add in a teasing tone, "Perhaps it was an excuse to see you?"
But he just frowns slightly. "Are you okay? Do you still have a fever?"
"Strange, isn't it?" chuckles Lucien behind me.
"Shush," I reply, and turn back to Adrian. "I need to borrow that dress of yours. I need something clean to change into after my bath."
"Bath, you say?" he asks, eyes sparkling. "Mind if I join, then?"
Lucien responds for me. "Go ahead."
"H-hey," I chide, but he just pokes my cheek. "You weren't going to refuse anyway."
I sigh. "I know, I know." Adrian goes back into his room to get the dress. "Please don't make this hard on me, you two," I call after him, but they both just laugh.
"Why, that's the whole point," replies Lucien, wrapping his arms around me.
"All right, let's go!" cries Adrian with glee. I think I sense some extra mischief in his eyes, but he takes my hand and whisks me forward before I can tell for sure.
In the bathroom, Lucien starts the enchanted tiles to heat the water, while Adrian beckons me to him at the spout. "Let me help you wash," he smiles, patting the stool in front of him.
"I can wash myself just fine," I reply, but I sit in front of him anyway.
"Sure, but you like my shampoo, right?"
"Yeah," I admit. "It smells nice." He hums happily and starts massaging it into my scalp.
"Lucien, you should wash properly too," Adrian calls.
From somewhere in the steam, Lucien sighs. "I suppose I do need it. Adelaide sweated all over me."
"Hey," I shoot back. "You were the one who decided to hold a sick human."
"Yes, yes," he smiles, joining us at the spout. He unwraps his own bar of soap, letting out a rich, spicy scent.
"Woow...what is that?" I ask, leaning forward to get a better look. He holds it out for me to smell. It almost smells like incense, but with a mellow undertone of...coconut, perhaps?
"Do you want to use it?" he asks, eyes glittering. Adrian giggles behind me.
"Well, if you'll let me," I reply hesitantly. "Unless you won't let me use it myself." I think my heart would burst if he insisted on doing it himself, with his slippery hands all over my- Anyway!
He sees my crimson face and chuckles, running his finger down my cheek. "Why so red? Are you thinking about naughty things again?"
"Oh, I hope so," giggles Adrian behind me.
"Never mind," I huff. "I'll just use the ivory soap."
"No, no, it's alright," he replies, and passes me the soap. "Wash my back for me and you can use it." He settles languidly in front of me. I sigh and obey, moving his long hair out of the way. "Pass me your shampoo, too," I tell him, setting his soap to the side. Adrian must have snatched it up, because I soon feel his hands kneading into my back, with the rich smell spreading into the steam.
Despite the length, Lucien's hair is surprisingly tangle-free and smooth to the touch. "No fair," I mumble. "If my hair were this long, it would be nothing but knots."
"I know," sighs Adrian behind me. "Your hair is like mine. Beautiful, but delicate."
"Ugh. I'm tired of being delicate," I respond, and turn to face Adrian. "Your turn."
"You're only delicate in this house," replies Lucien, kissing the top of my head. "I have a feeling you stand out among other humans."
"Hmph. Flattery won't get you anywhere," I reply, but Adrian's staring at Lucien as he sinks into the bath, and won't turn around. "Adrian?"
He turns back to me. "Since when is he allowed to do that?" he asks incredulously.
"Uhh, since he decided to yesterday, I guess," I reply, shrugging. "Besides, I never forbid you, did I?"
He gives me a pained look. "Well, that's just not fair. Aren't you supposed to be my acting lover?"
I smile and flick him on the nose. "It's not my fault you never tried. Now turn around, I'm getting chilly."
He sighs and finally lets me begin. "Well, forgive me for holding back for your sake," he grumbles.
"Hey," I chide. "I've kissed your cheek myself, so that was never a mystery. Besides," I add, "the more upset you are, the happier Lucien gets."
Adrian looks over to see Lucien leaning on the edge of the bath, watching with half-lidded eyes and a languid smile.
"Damn you, Lucien," he grumbles, but he finally relaxes. By the time I finish rinsing him off, I'm almost shivering.
"Hurry and get in, before you get sick yet again," says Lucien, making room for the two of us.
"Yeah, yeah," I grumble, but once I slip into the water, I sigh in relief. A hot bath has never felt so heavenly. I lean my head on the edge and stretch out in the warm water, closing my eyes. I feel Adrian twine his fingers around mine, and I give his hand a squeeze.
For once, it's completely silent, and I let myself relax as Adrian leans his head on my shoulder. My mind wanders; maybe this setup will settle down, I think hopefully. And I'm starting to think I can do more than survive here.
I feel someone pulling at my waist, and I open my eyes to see Lucien's eyes almost hazel with hunger.
"Must it always be in the bath?" I ask, but he just smiles ambiguously back.
Adrian answers for me. "Blood circulation is better in the bath, and the steam enhances the scent." Still holding onto me, he traces circles onto the back of my hand.
"Huh…" I suppose I should have known. "So you're a gourmand, are you?"
"That's right," Lucien murmurs, before slowly sinking his teeth in. Unprepared, I let out a moan before I clap my hand to my mouth.
Adrian lets out a moan of his own, squeezing my hand, and I feel Lucien smile. I should never have relaxed around him, especially with Adrian around. Lucien's hand snakes up my arm, and starts pulling my hand from my mouth. Oh no, that is not happening. He yanks his hand away as I burn him.
But it's not over yet. I can feel Adrian moving closer. His hand grips my knee, and slowly slides up my thigh until he stops himself about halfway up.
"Lucien," he groans, "You know I can't resist."
I move my hand away from my mouth just long enough to speak. "You're-" I gasp as Lucien takes the opportunity to dig a little deeper. "You're asking the wrong-aaahhh, person," I manage, before firmly clamping my hand over my mouth again.
That was a mistake. "Adelaide," he pleads, "please…" He presses his mouth against my hand, and I can't stop myself from squirming.
"Just bite-!" I choke out, trying not to give Lucien a chance to tease more out of me. I want to be unconscious as soon as possible.
Finally, Adrian bites into my wrist with a soft moan. Unlike me, he's not trying to stop himself, and this time, I don't think he's making all those sounds on purpose. His hand starts creeping unconsciously back up my thigh, and I grab it before he does anything stupid. I'm afraid if I burn Adrian now, it'll only make things worse. Luckily, he seems to realize, because he squeezes my hand back. But he won't stop moaning, and it's all I can manage to stay still as Lucien continues his long, slow drinks.
It's then that I realize something about Lucien.
"You….liar," I grumble before finally slipping into sweet unconsciousness.
My first thought waking up is that I have spent entirely too much time unconscious today. My second thought is hoping the two bastards who just fed were decent enough to clothe me afterwards. I wonder vaguely if I'll ever be able to return from a bath conscious.
I can feel Adrian and Lucien holding onto either side of me, and part of me wants so badly just to fall back asleep. But the gnawing hunger in my belly won't let me rest.
"I need...food…" I groan, trying to sit up. I'm wearing one of Lucien's tunics. Better than nothing, I suppose.
"Adrian, you get it," says Lucien. "I've been feeding her all day thanks to your foolishness."
"Don't worry, I have something prepared," he replies with a sigh. He sees me still struggling to sit up and helps me up. "Wait here, dear," he says, kissing me on the cheek.
"Mhmm." Right now I'm just concentrating on staying awake. The enchantment symbols are hot on my skin and I can feel it draining slowly at my energy. I raise my head to fix Lucien with a woozy stare.
"Lucien."
"Hmm?"
"Am I making a mistake?"
"Hmm." His eyes narrow. "Are you?"
"Oh, thank god you didn't smile," I sigh. "That would have meant I was doomed."
Lucien leans in. "What are you worried about?"
"Well-" I gesture vaguely. "Even if- even if this, is...real, or, real enough, what about-" I sigh in frustration. "What about afterwards?"
"You mean, when we leave?" he asks, combing through my hair with his fingers. I nod, closing my eyes to his soothing touch. "Well, frankly, I think they expect you to die here."
Adrian's voice breaks in. "Die?" He crouches at my side. "What are you talking about?"
"They put me here on suspicions and nothing else, though," I complain. "Would they really lose a fidelis sanguine thrall just for that?"
"It seems a little extreme," replies Adrian hesitantly, "but they are a paranoid bunch."
"Okay," I admit, "but no one here seems to think they'll be kept here for the rest of my lifespan, right? So…" My heart grows cold, and Adrian squeezes my hand sympathetically.
"It seems you've come upon the same conclusion I have," says Lucien in a low voice. "They've made a punishment box. A slap on the wrist for us, but for you, a lasting punishment."
I can feel the despair pulling at me, and I start to tremble. Adrian rubs my arm, but stays silent.
"No," I decide. "Fuck that. I'll get out."
Lucien's serious expression breaks into a wide smile, and I continue.
"Dante said it in the most infuriating way, but I am lucky. If I don't play nice, who knows who else they might send here. And I am not going to waste my life on some protest suicide just so some asshole might maybe die." I'm still trembling, but with anger now. "Lucien. If I play submissive, like I realized my ideas were futile, don't you think they'd bring me back?"
He tilts his head to the side. "Perhaps."
Adrian pulls on my arm, turning my face towards him. He searches my eyes with worry. "Adelaide, you were right before. They were just suspicious. You don't need to act...broken just for that." His voice almost breaks.
"Oh, Adrian," I sigh, and put my hand to his cheek. "You are too sweet." His eyes waver as he looks at me. "But you still don't understand the life of a thrall."
"So, how do you intend to convince them?" Lucien asks.
I sigh and lean back. "Honestly, I've been wanting to destroy that damn cage for a while now. I was gonna do it on my next free day." Lucien chuckles. "So...probably not do that, to start."
"If one of us took you as a concubine, they would probably just let you be," Adrian offers, but I shake my head.
"No, in that case they would just distrust you and think I'd poisoned you with my nefarious plans," I say wryly. I groan when I come to realization.
"You thought of something?" Lucien asks.
"Yes, and I hate it," I grumble. "Dante will be overjoyed when I tell him."
Lucien smiles and tilts up my chin. "You made a deal, didn't you?"
"Oh, Adelaide, you didn't," sighs Adrian. "What did you promise him?"
"Well…" I feel stupid now, but I have to say it. "That servitude that he wanted...I promised him that in order for him to join the play."
Lucien bursts out laughing, and Adrian shakes his head.
"But!" I argue. "I was planning on ruining it for him. With the whole, simpering, 'oh no, master, I couldn't possibly dare', kind of thing."
"Ahhhh," muses Lucien, "yes, that would have irritated him greatly."
"But now," I sigh, "I have to do it seriously. Or I won't know how to act properly….servile." I bury my face in my hands. "I really don't want to do this."
Lucien rubs my head sympathetically, but he's still shaking with laughter. I shove him away. "Don't get too happy now," I huff. "Knowing Dante, you won't get to see any of it happen."
"Hmmm, well, we'll see," he hums.
I shove at him again, but my stomach cramps up in pain. "Oh, food," I whisper, turning back to Adrian. He happily passes me a bowl, and I eat so fast I almost feel dizzy. I think his cooking is getting better, but everything tastes good when you're starving from fidelis hunger.
"Ughh...I ate too fast.." I groan, leaning against Adrian. "That's your fault. No, actually," I jab a finger at Lucien, "it's your fault." I pause for a moment. "No, it's my fault for letting you both in the damn bath….I should have known better."
Lucien chuckles as Adrian strokes my back, then helps me sit up. "Well, come to bed and you'll be alright," he murmurs.
But I'm so sleepy I'm finding it hard to even keep my eyes open.
"Look, she's glowing through the fabric," says Lucien. "You really drank too much in there. She'll be asleep before you make it to your room."
I muster the last of my energy to stick out my tongue at Lucien before I completely fade into darkness. Just before I fall asleep, I remember. I forgot to confront him about that.