Page 21 of The Beauty and His Beast

Everild, clearly eager to escape the endless questions and chatter, quickly took Camdyn’s arm and led him away, though Cainech stared after them in horror, her mind still struggling to grasp the reality of the situation.

???

The physician’s name was Edwin, one of Everild’s staff sent from his family to serve in the household. Edwin was a slight, dark-haired man who typically appeared quite pleasant, but on this occasion, he was visibly harried. As soon as they entered the room, Edwin had Camdyn sit on the edge of the bed while he opened a case filled with vials, flasks of various sizes and colors, and an assortment of envelopes containing powders and herbs.

Without hesitation, Edwin began to scold Everild. “Well, it really would’ve been better if you hadn’t moved him, my lord,” he said, squeezing Camdyn’s limbs as Everild paced behind him. “Next time there’s a fall like this, have me brought to the patient, not the other way around.”

Everild frowned. “There’ll be no next time,” he grunted.

“Edwin,” Camdyn interjected, “Please examine my husband’s throat next.”

“After you," Everild growled.

“Of course, of course,” Edwin soothed. “Now, would you please disrobe, my lord?”

Camdyn blushed, though it seemed ridiculous. He and Everild had already seen each other nude, and they’d shared the same bed in that state. But, for some reason, undressing in front of his husband in this context felt different. Quietly, he asked, “I’m sorry, Everild, but could you...?”

Everild, like a soldier receiving an order, nodded, turned sharply on his heel, and marched out of the room. “Be right outside,” he said before closing the door behind him.

As Camdyn stripped off his clothes, Edwin kindly organized his case of vials and bottles. Camdyn winced as he pulled his shirt over his head, letting out a small hiss as he bent to remove his boots and pants. His left side had turned an angry red.

The physician clucked his tongue. “Ah, my lord, you’ll have some nasty bruising for a few days.” Edwin’s examination was professional, respectful, and surprisingly gentle. He checked Camdyn for any potential breaks, tears, or internal injuries, apologizing each time his prodding caused a wince or whimper. Finally, Edwin smiled, reporting, “Well, my lord, it seems you’ve been thrown off a horse.”

Camdyn laughed. “Oh, goodness, is that your final diagnosis?”

“Indeed,” Edwin replied. “Nothing broken, nothing sprained. You’ll be sore for a little while, but that and the bruises will be the worst of it. However, it must’ve been quite a shock for you, so I recommend some rest. I’ll prepare a mixture for you—valerian extract with chamomile and lavender in warm mulled wine. Drink it after your meal.”

“Thank you, Edwin,” Camdyn said, pulling on a large nightshirt that had been laid out for him. It was as long as Everild’s velvet tunic, very fine, but somehow, it didn’t feel as soft or warm on Camdyn’s skin. It was fresh and clean, but he would’ve preferred the scent of his husband on it. He couldn’t help but ask Edwin, “May I—could you answer a medical question for me?”

The physician turned from his case. “What do you wish to know?”

“It’s about—about sex,” Camdyn stammered.

Edwin didn’t seem surprised. “Yes, my lord?”

“Does it have to hurt? Initially?”

Edwin’s expression grew wary. “What do you mean by that, Camdyn?”

Wiggling on the bed, hands clasped together in his lap, Camdyn said, “I mean, well. Surely there’s a way for it to be more—more pleasant? So that it’s, um, enjoyable for the duration? The—the initial, um, aspect of it. The penetration.”

The physician frowned. “It should not hurt, Camdyn. If you’ve been prepared enough, it should not hurt, I assure you.”

Ah, Camdyn thought. This hadn’t been mentioned in any of the stories he’d read in his family’s library. “Yes? How does one prepare?”

Edwin didn’t even blink. “With oil. Copious amounts of it.”

“Oh! You mean—for—“

Edwin proceeded to give Camdyn an impromptu lecture on how to engage in safe, responsible, and pleasant intercourse. It was informative and enlightening, and by the end of it, Camdyn’s face was so hot he felt like he might boil water. There was a certain logic to it, and Camdyn didn’t doubt Edwin’s knowledge, but his mind couldn’t help but worry about one thing: even with lubrication and the use of fingers, would Everild truly fit inside him when the time came? He had seen on their wedding night that Everild was quite large, even when not aroused.

A careful question from Edwin stirred Camdyn from his thoughts. “My lord? Camdyn? Is this all new information for you?”

How embarrassing. He was a grown man, yet this was still awkward. There had been young men who visited the monastery, and he had shared kisses and touches with them, but his experience had been light on details. “Well, I’m notignorant about the process. But, um... I didn’t know certain aspects. So—so thank you for telling me how to make it more—more comfortable.” Though, truthfully, he wasn’t sure how comfortable it would be. He would prefer it to be painless.

Edwin looked appalled. “Camdyn, is there something you want to—“

They both jumped at the loud knock on the door. “Everything alright?” Everild called.

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