Page 92 of Kingdom of Faewood

I shook my head and peeled my clothes carefully off me. And with each garment that fell, my suspicions were confirmed. Not one inch of me was left unmarked, but at least the bruises were already fading.

I stepped over the tub’s tall rim and eased myself into the hot water. Candles abruptly appeared on the counter by the roses. They flickered and only added to the atmosphere, making it entirely soothing and tranquil. Apparently, Jax wasn’t done perfecting the ambiance.

Too tired to contemplate that, I sank more into the hot water and sighed in relief when it began to soothe my battered muscles.

“You’re very good at this,” I said to the chamber, which I knew was silly, but perhaps the enchantment would understand.

A shimmer of magic appeared around the tub, and with a small smile, I realized the tub had just been spelled. I had a feeling the water wouldn’t cool as long as I remained in it.

Settling back more, I closed my eyes, and even though I’d been unconscious for the better part of a day, fatigue hit me. I rested my head back, and my mind began to drift. My thoughts scattered, and then the allure of sleep pulled me under.

CHAPTER 23

“Elowen?” a male’s voice called from the distance.

I murmured something in response but was enjoying the warm lake I was floating in too much to heed his call. It was peaceful here. Serene. An alien violet sky arched above me, and foreign birds flocking nearby on the shore’s trees cawed.

Hands fluttering, I drifted on the water.

“Elowen!” the male bellowed.

Something banged, startling the flock of birds, and the next thing I knew, a pulse of magic rippled over the lake.

Hands abruptly gripped my shoulders. Veryrealhands.

The dream disappeared, and my eyes flashed open to see two dazzling sapphire irises. Wildness filled them, and with a groggy start, I realized I still lay in the enchanted bath. I must have fallen asleep.

And I was entirely naked.

“Jax!” I wrenched from his grip and sat up. “What in the realm!”

Droplets of water cascaded down my arms, around my breasts, and disappeared back into the hot bathwater. But my bruises were gone. My magic had healed that in the time I’d been sleeping.

The Dark Raider tore his gaze to the side. “I’m sorry. I thought—” He ran a hand over his scarfed head. “You’ve been in here so long, not making a sound, and when you wouldn’t reply to my knocks and calls, I...” He let out an aggrieved sigh. “I thought the worst. I’m sorry.”

My chest heaved, and a glance at the foggy window showed bright afternoon sunlight. “How long was I asleep?”

“Two hours, maybe longer.”

My jaw dropped. “And you’ve been waiting in the hallway that entire time?”

He gave a curt nod, still looking to the side.

I sighed, and some of my embarrassment faded, but I crossed my arms over my breasts and pulled my knees up. It was still obvious I was naked, but at least I wasn’t on full display.

His throat rolled in a swallow. “I’ll, uh...leave you to it.” He moved to the door.

Shaking from my abrupt awakening, I reached for the soap but hissed when a slice of pain worked up my arm from the movement.Okay, I guess I’mnotfully healed.

Jax stilled at the bathing chamber’s threshold, his back still to me. “Elowen? Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, just stiff and sore.”

He growled softly. Facing me again, he kept his gaze above my head. “I can help.”

My cheeks heated. “You don’t need to. I’ll?—”

He growled louder. “Let me help you.Please. It’s the least I can do, considering I put you in this state.” But even though authority rang in his tone, he didn’t move closer to me. Instead, he stood there. Waiting for my approval. Waiting for my consent. And his line of sight never strayed below my chin.

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