Page 8 of Incu-bliss

As much as I want her hands on me, I wave her away, confident I can do it myself.

“I promise I'm more than capable of completing and holding this position. I've dedicated endless years to training my bodyand surpassing my physical limits. A few stretches won't even make a dent in my strength.” Despite the strain in my breathing, I push forward with determination. My mate needs to feel safe and confident in my ability to defend her. I will not be defeated by a mere stretching exercise. Grunting and straining, I strive to draw my knees closer to my chest, mimicking the fluid pose Odette effortlessly demonstrated just moments ago. My muscles burn with exertion, but I refuse to give up. As sweat drips down my forehead, I focus every ounce of my being on mastering this seemingly simple movement.

“You don’t seem fine, Valek. Your breathing is shallow, and your muscles tense. This isn’t a competition or an act of physical strength. Yoga is a practice that helps you connect your mind, body, and breath in perfect harmony. Each stretch and pose serves to release tension, anxiety, and stress from your body. We should start with something a bit easier.”

Odette's disappointment is palpable, and it’s much too soon for my mate to lose confidence in my abilities. It should never happen, but if I ever fail to meet her expectations, I’d prefer it were after years of proving my worth.

"This may not be my usual approach to training, but I have faith in your judgment. If you believe this practice will benefit me, then I’m willing to endure it," I whisper through gritted teeth as pain courses through my limbs. Despite Odette's recommendations for modifications, I stubbornly hold onto the pose, forcing a strained smile on my face. Beads of sweat trickle down my forehead and temples, intensifying the burning sensation into a piercing ache.

Odette's breath slows and deepens as she gracefully drops out of her pose, melting onto the soft mat beneath her. With a fluid motion, she lifts her arms over her head and lets out a contented sigh. "You can release now, Valek," she gentlyinstructs me. "Let your legs relax and let go of any tension in your arms."

Her encouraging words wash over me like a warm wave, but my body remains unresponsive. My limbs feel heavy and constricted as if they are glued to the mat in this torturous position. I focus on my breathing, trying to appear committed and focused on the exercise while secretly buying myself some time to try and unravel from this contorted state.

“What are you waiting for?” Impatience drips from Odette's voice as she rises gracefully into a seated position. Her piercing eyes study me, narrowing at the sound of my teeth grinding together, a physical manifestation of my struggle to speak. She leans in, her perfectly manicured fingers tapping on the floor as she waits for me to answer.

As I lie on the ground, struggling to move my body, frustration and desperation well up inside me. "I think I may need your help," I manage to say through gritted teeth. A stubborn part of my body refuses to cooperate with my directions—whether it is my hip, thigh, or knee, I can't tell. Immobilized in this awkward position, the thought of being stuck like this for the foreseeable future makes me admit that I may need assistance after all.

Odette inches closer, examining my contorted limbs with discernment. Her brow furrows with confusion and concern as she runs her small hand over my immobilized knee, giving it a delicate nudge in an attempt to realign my twisted body. She leans in, her warm breath brushing against my cheek as she speaks softly. "You need to relax, Valek. Your muscles have constricted and stiffened, locking you in place. Breathe and release. Breathe and release," she repeats, her hands gesturing in a gentle rhythm to encourage me.

A persistent ache in my back creeps into my head and tests my patience, making me increasingly agitated. As a demon, Iam immune to harm. My body is indestructible and can heal from any injuries. At least, that's what I believed until now. Sitting here, racked with throbbing pain, I can't help but wonder if this is one of those rare instances where my immortality fails me. I have always prided myself on my strength and dominance over others, but now I find myself in discomfort and doubt, wondering if there are things that even a demon cannot withstand. This is a horrible time for me to discover my vulnerabilities; Odette will surely want a stronger male to be the father of her children.

A sly smirk curves Odette's lips as she looks down at me. “I see you’re going to be a typical demon.” She rises to her knees and places a firm grip on my ankles. The floor beneath us creaks as she shifts her weight, her pale eyes never leaving mine.

I tense, unsure what she plans to do, but as she begins to speak in a low, rhythmic tone, a tangible energy flows through my body. A magical spell weaves its way through my contorted limbs, untangling the knots of pain and tension that have settled there. An overwhelming feeling of tranquility washes over me, like cool water pouring over hot coals. With a sharp tug, she straightens my limbs and sets my spine in place with expert precision. My body feels light and balanced as if floating on a cloud.

As I lie there, stunned and unable to form words, Odette's melodic voice breaks through the haze. "Does that feel better?" she asks, her tone gentle but laced with mischief.

With her help, I slowly get to my feet, trying to ignore the tingling sensation in my limbs. She giggles lightly, teasing me about potentially severing my spine. My mate has a twisted sense of humor, but I can't help but smile at her playfulness. The gods truly have chosen wisely to pair us together.

odette

. . .

“Shiatsu?”Valek's dark eyebrows furrow in confusion at the mention of the unfamiliar word. His expression is a mix of curiosity and apprehension, as if he's unsure whether to trust this unknown form of healing after what he has just endured. He stands tall and tries to walk away with poise, but his slight limp gives away his true state.

I can see that he's hurting, and I can't let a powerful demon leave my spa with such an obvious injury. That would be bad for business.

With a confident smile, I explain the benefits of the massage technique. “Shiatsu is specifically designed to ease the deep-seated pain in your lower back and tightness in your hamstrings. I have complete faith in my masseuse’s skilled hands. I guarantee he will offer you relief,” I state, as a matter of fact, certain my expert masseuse will succeed.

Valek's voice is filled with disdain as he scoffs at the idea. "A male?" His eyes narrow in disapproval. "I have no interest in having a strange male lay his hands on my body in such an intimate manner. Call me old-fashioned, but it's simply a matter of personal preference. Besides, I'm sure any lingering pains willdissipate by the end of the day." He brushes off the suggestion and begins to walk away.

Rolling my eyes, I step in front of Valek and spread my arms to block his escape. "If you are uncomfortable with a male masseuse, I can arrange for a female to assist you," I offer, gesturing toward the reception area behind us. "Please take a seat, and I will see who is available."

Valek shakes his head as he grows visibly annoyed. "That would be completely inappropriate," he snaps. "As a mated male, onlymyfemale may touch me in such a way." The tension between us thickens as he refuses to budge from his stance.

“You don’t technically have a female, Valek,” I counter, trying hard to remain professional when his overgrown male child rejects all reason. “But if you’re referring to me,” I meet his gaze with a tilt of my chin, “I’ll have to confess that my skills in that particular technique are not nearly as adept as Janus’s.” My arms cross protectively over my chest, the fabric of my dress bunching beneath my fingers. The tension between us grows thick, but I stand defiantly in front of him, my feet planted firmly on the ground. I can feel the heat rising on my cheeks as he continues to challenge me, hoping to get his way.

“Your skills matter little to me. If you want to help me and or prevent others from seeing what your establishment has done to me, I suggest you handle this situation yourself.” Valek's sharp gaze bores into mine as he leans forward, his intense presence filling the hallway. "Or I can simply leave and handle things my own way. The choice is yours to make…" His words hang in the air, heavy with unspoken consequences and a sense of danger lurking just beneath the surface.

“I don’t like being threatened,” I grumble, my hands balling into fists at my sides. I turn my back to him, trying to push away the frustrated feelings that have been building up inside of me.

His insistence and the underlying scent of pheromones only heighten my agitation, making me feel weak and on edge. The idea that I’ve encouraged such a deeply personal encounter with this male is both tempting and terrifying. Part of me wants to give in to fate and spend an intimate hour alone with him, but another part fears the potential consequences. The increasing warmth between my legs is an uncomfortable reminder of my vulnerability. It’s a shame there isn’t a spell to rein it in.

“I would never dream of threatening my mate,” Valek declares, his expression seemingly offended by my accusation. “If you recall, it was you who suggested this treatment. But if you are not willing to follow through, then I will simply take my leave.” His eyes hold a glimmer of disappointment but also an unwavering determination to do what he believes is best for both of us. At least, that’s how it feels.

With a shaking voice, I acquiesce to Valek’s request. "You're right," I say, gesturing for him to follow me down the hallway. We reach room number two and I step aside, giving him a moment of privacy to prepare. “I’ll give you a few minutes to disrobe.” My calm facade begins to crumble with the instructions that could potentially lead to his nudity. Praying for some semblance of modesty, I stammer out one final directive as I walk away. "Please leave your underwear on and let me know when you’re ready."

“I don’t wear underwear,” Valek grunts and effectively obliterates the last shred of my confidence.

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