Page 76 of Savage Reign

Husband or not, I’m the monster holding her against her will. But monsters aren’t supposed to feel this way—destroyed by the sight of their captive in pain.

My staff shoot me alarmed looks as we pass, but I ignore them. Yelena rushes up to me, her face etched with worry. “What happened? Is Sofiya okay?”

“Call Dr. Safin,” I order, not breaking stride. “Send her to my bedroom when she arrives.”

My bedroom. Soon to be our bedroom because I’m not taking any fucking chances with her anymore. She is my wife and belongs in my bed. But we can have that discussion once she’s healthy.

Yelena's eyes widen, but she nods and hurries off.

Sofiya shifts, her breath warm against my neck. “P-please don’t make a big fuss. Honestly, I’m okay.”

I hate how pale her face is and how weak her voice sounds. “You’re not. Now, I’m going to take care of you.”

Sofiya is silent as I carry her into my bedroom, her small frame quaking in my arms. It makes me so fucking mad to see her this way. I can still feel the cold radiating from her skin.

I head straight for the en suite and turn up the heat as high as it goes. When I release her onto a little stool in the corner of the room, I make sure to cover her shoulders with several thick, luxurious towels.

She continues to shake and stare at me as I focus on drawing her a bath, getting the water temperature just right. The tub is big enough for both of us, and I intend to get in with her.

As the water is running, I duck into my bedroom and grab a bottle of water from beside my bed. Striding back into the bathroom, I find her leaning against the wall, her eyes half-closed. “A b-bath isn’t necessary. Wrap me in a blanket, and I’ll be fine.”

She stiffens as my hand trails down her cheek. “Jesus, Sofiya, we need to warm you up now. Either get in the bath, or we both get into my bed naked, and I use my body to warm you up.”

Her jaw drops, but she doesn’t realize how deadly serious I am. I open the bottle of water and cup the back of her head. She reaches for it, but I pull it out of her grasp.

“Drink,” I say to her, unwilling to argue.

She does, gulping down the water like she’s been stranded in the desert. When she puts the bottle down, she shoots me a defiant look. “You’re very bossy, you know that?”

I can’t help but smirk. “Comes with the territory. Now, clothes off and into the bath.”

“I’ll get in the bath once you leave.”

“And risk a chance of you falling? I don’t think so. And for the record, you’re as stubborn as I’m bossy.”

She sighs, her eyes glassy with pain and exhaustion. Fuck, I’ve wasted enough time arguing with her. If she’s going to make this difficult, I’ll have to take over. “Get undressed now, Sofiya. Your lips are blue.”

“Turn around… please.”

I do as she asks, but when I hear a quiet whimper, her modesty is the last thing on my mind.

I’m in front of her in a flash. “What happened? What is it?”

“My hands. They’re so stiff. I can’t undo the buttons.” Her voice trembles, and the look on her face cracks something inside me.

“Fuck,” I mutter, dropping to my knees. I reach for the top button of her soaked dress, my fingers brushing her skin.

The fabric clings to her curves as I peel it off her. Then I reach for the clasp of her bra. My pulse spikes as I unhook it and let the lace fall to the floor.

“Hold on to me,” I say, steadying her as I kneel to slide her panties down her legs. My knuckles graze the curve of her thigh. I avert my eyes; the last thing I need is for her to notice me pitching a tent.

She steps out of the pile of clothes, her arms instinctively wrapping around her torso.

“It’s okay,” I murmur softly.

I slip my arms under her knees and around her back, lifting her easily. The tub is filled, steam curling in delicate swirls.

“This again,” she quips softly, and I’m glad she’s well enough to crack jokes.