With her back turned to him, Salviana found it easier to stand, though her heart pounded in her chest. Every breath she took seemed too loud in the stillness, but she knew she had to answer him and leave—quickly. Her hands trembled as she clutched the fabric of her dress, trying to steady herself. Drawing in a deep breath, her lips parted to speak, but before she could say anything, his voice interrupted the silence again.
"Turn around," he ordered, his tone low and commanding, the weight of it making her shoulders stiffen.
"I—uh, the door—it's closed… I could—" she stuttered, attempting to explain her presence, her words faltering under the pressure of his gaze.
"Then leave," he said, but there was something almost amused in his voice as if her hesitation entertained him.
She tried to obey.
She had meant to move, to flee from the room that seemed to close in around her, but her legs refused to obey. Every muscle locked into place, her body betraying her. It wasn't just fear. She was bound by something else, something more dangerous than her own uncertainty. The silence stretched, and behind her, she could hear his slow, steady footsteps approaching. Her heart hammered as his voice slid through the air like a whispered threat.
"See? You wish to know."
Her lips parted, and her voice came out in a whisper, barely audible. "To know what?"
There was a pause, heavy and deliberate before he spoke again, his words edged with dark amusement. "What I could do to you," he said, his tone both sinister and seductively inviting, like a promise of danger wrapped in silk.
Her breath hitched. "I don't desire to know," she replied quickly, but the words felt hollow. Even as she spoke, she realized she wasn't entirely sure she was telling the truth.
He chuckled softly, and the sound was rich with dark understanding. "Oh, but you do, you came here after all, you sought me."
"Please," she breathed, the words trembling from her lips. "Let me go." She felt as though she were caught in invisible chains. There were no bindings on her wrists or ankles, yet she was trapped by his presence, by the heavy weight of him in the room. Every breath was a struggle against the pull of him.
A sudden swoosh made her tense, and before she could react, she felt him behind her. His breath brushed against her neck, warm and unsettling. "You're the curious one, aren't you?" His voice was a soft murmur, teasing her, provoking her. "You came in here."
Her hair stirred as his breath brushed the back of her ear, and the hair on her back rose in defense. "I… I know now," she whispered, her voice shaking. Her heart raced, but she couldn't tell if it was from fear or something else entirely—something deeper and more confusing.
He leaned closer, lowering his head until his chin rested lightly on her shoulder, his proximity suffocating. "What did you say?" he whispered, his breathless voice strained, as though holding back something far darker.
She gasped softly, her body rigid as she tried to stay composed. "I said… that─ I know now," she repeated, the words barely forming.
His nose brushed her neck through the veil of her hair, and she froze. "What do you know now, fiery one?" he murmured, his deep voice sending a chill through her.
Her mind scrambled for an answer. "That… this place is secluded," she stammered, her voice weak, desperate for any excuse.
He paused, pulling back slightly, easing the tension just enough for her to breathe again. One large hand settled on her shoulder, his grip firm but not painful. Slowly, he turned her to face him, his cold fingers brushing over her skin like ice. She couldn't help but look at him, her green eyes meeting his intense black gaze, which burned with an unsettling mixture of amusement and something darker.
Her gaze involuntarily dropped down, taking in the water clinging to his pale skin. His broad shoulders were perfectly sculpted, his chest strong and firm, the muscles of his torso rippling with each breath. The water traced rivulets down his body, lingering over the defined lines of his abdomen.
Her heart skipped a beat in alarm. He was naked. Or was he? Her mind was screaming at her, warning her to look away, to retreat, but she couldn't tear her eyes from him.
His voice cut through the haze of her thoughts. "Wife?" His tone was soft but commanding, drawing her attention back to his face. "This place isn't a secluded room, fiery wife. This is your chamber now."
Her eyes snapped up, panic rising as her cheeks burned hotly with embarrassment. "No, I meant—" she started, but her words faltered under his knowing gaze.
"What did you mean?" he asked, smirking, his amusement only growing as she struggled for words.
"You interrupted me," she said with a slight whine, her green eyes narrowing in frustration.
His lips curved into a teasing smile. "My apologies, wife. Please, continue."
"That this is a bathroom, and you were in here for so long, so I was curious… I wanted to know…" She trailed, her face flushed with embarrassment as her gaze flicked back to his neck, desperate to avoid looking at him fully.
"May I speak now?" he asked, his voice dripping with amusement, clearly enjoying her discomfort.
Salviana blinked in surprise. He had actually waited for her permission? Her lips twitched into a frown, confused by the sudden shift in his demeanour. "Yes," she said softly, her voice barely audible.
His cold fingers traced the curve of her chin, causing her to shiver under his touch. "You wanted to know what your husband was doing?" His voice was a low hum, rich with amusement. "I'll show you."
Her heart skipped a beat, panic rising in her chest. "Now?" she squeaked, unable to hide her alarm.
His smirk deepened. "Oh, wife, you can look down," he teased, noticing how her eyes darted around, avoiding his body. He found her shyness oddly endearing. "Your curiosity will be fed, and later, I'll expect you to feed me in return."
She froze, her breath catching in her throat. "Feed you? How?"
His gaze darkened, his voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. "Oh, fiery one, there are many ways you can feed me… many." He took a step back, his smirk growing as he watched her, thoroughly entertained by her reactions.
"You should freshen up before bed," he said more lightly, the amusement still evident in his voice.
She stared at him, trembling slightly as she watched him turn away, steam curling around his figure as he disappeared from sight. It was only when he was gone that the full realization hit her.
He wasn't naked.
Her mind reeled. How had she been so easily fooled? Her cheeks burned in embarrassment. How had she let herself get so caught up in the moment that she hadn't noticed? A soft sigh escaped her lips, a mixture of relief and disappointment washing over her.
She narrowly wondered how he'd look naked.
She glanced at the door, steeling herself. She had to get used to this. She is married to a vampire prince now. She had to be stronger.
With a deep breath, she began removing her sleeping dress and tied her hair up into a tight bun. She didn't have the energy to deal with wet hair tonight.
The day had been long—hours of uncomfortable travel, the uneven roads jarring her endlessly in a carriage that seemed designed to make her miserable. It was as though the journey had been meant as some cruel punishment, a final reminder that she was no longer of her old world.
As she slipped into the bath, the hot water enveloped her, soothing her aching muscles and washing away the remnants of her old life. She sank beneath the surface, feeling the heat seep into her bones. She wasn't the same girl anymore. She was a princess now, married to darkness itself.