Page 55 of Court of Secrets and Flames

And then comes the symphony of rushing water.

The royal prince of Tirene is drawing me a bath.

Despite all my reservations, my chest warms. How can this man be so presumptuous yet so…caring?

The way he oscillates between infuriating and sweet maddens me.

“Knox?” My voice is barely audible over the din of filling water.

Moments later, he returns. “Don’t get up. I’m going to carry you to the bathing chamber. That all right?”

At my nod, he lifts me with a gentleness that contradicts his warrior’s strength, and I am lost for words, caught between pain and the surprising tenderness of his touch.

He seats me on the rim of the tub.

“Thank you. I can manage now.”

“I know you can.” The look he gives me tells me he’s not so convinced. “But let me take care of you.”

“I’m sure you have things to?—”

“Lark.” He covers the hands I’ve folded together in my lap with his. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Please. Allow me to help you.” He silences my protest by putting a finger over my lips. “I promise to behave.”

If I weren’t in so much agony, I’d spout off a less than appropriate retort. But in my current state, I can only manage to nod.

The nightgown, an intricate torment of lace and expectation, scratches against my skin one last time before he pulls the ribbon at my neck that holds it closed. The fabric slides down my shoulders and pools in my lap, baring my breasts.

My breath catches, not from the hurt, but from the unexpected intimacy. My face heats, but Knox keeps his eyes fixed firmly above my neck.

“The water is tepid.” He gestures to the tub. “Are you able to use your fire, or will that cause you discomfort?”

“I can do that.”

I focus on drawing the warmth from within, channeling it through my hands and into the water. Flames lick my palms, causing the water to swirl from the added heat. I marvel at the simplicity, the utility of it. Cool water coils around my fingers and heats with a surge of magic.

Steam rises from the water in delicate tendrils. As I lean forward, my nightgown slips lower, over my hips, and hangs on the edge of the bath.

It’s not like he hasn’t seen it all before.

Knox’s boots hit the floor with two solid thumps, startling me. Before I can chastise him for the presumptuous act, he’s naked from the waist up and standing in the water. His arms envelop me once more, lifting me out of my loose clothing with an ease that clenches my heart.

My hands immediately go to his chest, to hold on or to push him away, I’m not sure. Either way, I’m peering into his brown eyes as he sinks me low into the comforting, liquid embrace.

Heat cocoons me and seeps into aching muscles. A moan of sheer relief escapes me as my eyes drift shut. My back twitches, and the knot of tension eases.

The water ripples as Knox steps out of the tub, leaving me braced against the edge. He doesn’t travel far. Only to a row of jars set on a table nearby. Opening one after another, he takes small sniffs until he finds an aroma that satisfies him.

Turning back, he keeps his eyes averted as he pours a fragrant oil into the water. The soothing minty scent permeates the space and relaxation seeps deep into my bones.

“Don’t fall asleep.” His words burst the sleepy haze in my head.

“Mmm. I’ll try not to.” The steaming water soothes the pain and calms my muscles but can’t eliminate my anxiety. “What do you think’s wrong with me? Did I contract some kind of bone wasting disease or something?”

“Is this the first time you’ve gotten this pain, or has it happened before?”

I drag my fingers through the water. “It’s happened before, but this time was by far the worst.”

“Do you remember when the pains started?”

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