The tepid water helped to calm some of his body's desires, but Bastian's eyes continued roaming to look at Hydrangea. The feel of her soft breast in his hand was still too fresh in his memory. But her body was far too tempting to resist. Her dark hair was still unkempt and twisted from the fountain.
He hid a smile as he recalled her amusement at his childhood habits.
"Stop looking at me like that."
He refocused his eyes and saw her washing down her smooth, slender arms. He tilted his head, "Looking at you like what?"
She glanced at him, her grey eyes revealing her scrambled emotions. He smiled softly when he saw that her cheeks were still flushed. He truly did love how sensitive her body was.
"Like you want to… eat me." She whispered and blushed a deeper colour. His smile broadened.
He grabbed the soap and cloth and began to clean himself, "But I do." He glimpsed at her and saw her gape at him from the corner of his eyes. He would love to eat her up.
"And stop that." She muttered staring at the soapy water.
"Stop what?"
"You do know that I'm still angry at you?"
He paused and looked at her with confusion. She hadn't seemed angry when he'd massaged her hands, or when they'd undressed each other, she'd seemed… excited and aroused.
"I'm simply waiting for the right moment to speak about it."
"Well, why not now?" He desperately wanted to get this issue dealt with.
"We must speak with your mother." She leaned back and rinsed her hair in the water.
Upon finishing she stood up and exited the tub. His eyes became fixed on her pale, glistening skin and frowned when she covered herself with a towel.
She turned to him and blushed, but he could see lively glint in her eyes, covering the hurt, "Hurry up. I want to get to know your mother better."
He narrowed his eyes at her. He loved his mother, and he loved Hydrangea, and he could see both of them becoming a united force against him. They were very similar, and he could tell his mother liked her. And he could certainly see that Hydrangea was already fond of her.
He finished with his bath and stepped from the tub. Securing a towel around his waist he walked into the closet that Hydrangea had entered. She had already dressed herself in a teal blue gown with rose gold lining along the hem. The long sleeves conformed to her slender arms flawlessly, the rose gold cuffs fitting tightly around her wrists.
She was now brushing her damp hair back in front of the mirror.
He watched her for a few moments as the brush moved fluidly through her midnight black hair.
But she was still mad at him. He recalled her words from the garden. Was she bothered by the fact that he'd slept with so many women? Would he be bothered if she'd slept with other men? His jaw clenched just at the thought of another man touching her in that way.
Guilt piled onto his shoulders. But she had to understand that now, he never, ever wanted to touch anyone but her. He hadn't felt anything when Suzanne had kissed him. He hardly even paid attention to women like he used to. Hydrangea was everything.
She put down her brush and began pinning her hair into a low bun. It was slightly unkempt, but still lovely.
She turned around and blushed upon seeing him staring at her. She looked away with a shy smile on her lips, "You should get dressed."
He should. He turned away and began dressing himself in what he typically used to wear in the palace. He pulled on a pair of loose, white cotton pants and then a comfortable, white cotton shirt. Next he donned his sherwani; blue with gold embroidery detailing it.
He carefully buttoned it and glanced over to see Hydrangea searching through a jewelry box and choosing a pair of earrings and a necklace.
She looked absolutely stunning, even when he couldn't see her entire body.
Slipping on a pair of black shoes he walked over to her and gently stole the necklace from her hand. She made a small sound of objection but sighed and he took that as a surrender.
He smiled softly and slowly clasped the golden necklace around her neck. He met her eyes in the mirror and hugged her from behind. She looked down at his clasped hands. Resting his chin on her shoulder he nuzzled her neck and felt her skin heat.
"You do know that I'll never stop loving you?" He asked, meeting her eyes again.
"You won't?" She asked, her eyes filled with doubt.
He spun her in his arms so that she faced him, he held her chin and said with utter and complete sincerity, "I have never felt love for anyone as I feel it for you. Hydrangea… I have been with many women, yes," Her eyes darkened and he felt wretched guilt again, "But you, are the only one I want. Do you know why?"
She licked her lips, "Why?"
"Because I love you. You're my wife. I only want.. your love. I would never do anything to hurt you, I never want to." He added when he saw a sliver of frustration sneak into her hypnotic eyes. He bent forward and placed a light kiss on her lips, "I'm sorry, if I hurt you."
Her whole face seemed to light up and she beamed at him. He smiled back, 'I guess I said the right thing.'
She wrapped her arms around him, "You're forgiven. Just promise me you'll never kiss another woman."
He chuckled softly and held her close, "I promise." Besides, he never wanted to kiss anyone but her.
She leaned away, "We've probably kept your mother waiting long enough."
He grimaced, "Right… my mother. Promise me that you and her will not join forces against me?"
She smiled and put her hand to his chest, "I'm afraid I can make no promises." She turned from him and headed to the door of the closet, "I rather like your mother. She's not quite like I thought she would be."
He began walking after her, "And what did you think she'd be like?"
She flashed him a rare, radiant smile—one that he thought he'd never glimpse again afterwards—and said, "You." She giggled and sprinted for the door when he ran after her.
She flung the door open and picked up her skirts, a light shriek of laughter escaping her lips when she saw he was right behind her.
She made it halfway down the hall till his longer strides finally caught up with her. He chuckled as he grabbed her from behind and pinned her back to the wall. She smiled playfully at him and he could only laugh.
"I assume by me you meant that she'd be charming, good-looking and wise?"
She burst into laughter, almost a guffaw. "Wise?" She said through her laughs, "Her I understand, but you?"
He parted his smiling mouth wide, "Oh? So I'm not wise then?"
She calmed her giggles and smiled up at him, "Hmm…" Raising her hand she stroked his cheek, down to his neck, "I'd say you're certainly wise in some things," She flashed her mirthful eyes to his, "But definitely not others."
She gently shoved him out of the way and swiftly walked around the corner.
He stood there for a few moments, his mind still light from their conversation. What was he unwise in? He admitted that he wasn't as knowledgeable in some areas as he was in others, but he knew one area that he was the wisest in.
Women.
He smirked as he moved his feet to follow her, he certainly understood women, especially Hydrangea. Except… there were a few times where he had absolutely no idea what was going on behind those eyes.
He shook his head and walked out of the palace, where Hydrangea was walking the gardens with his mother.