Page 106 of Trial of Deceit

“I just gave birth to our baby, who I’m not sure will survive.What do you think?”Ashari asked.

“Sorry…”

She sighed, nuzzling her head into his neck.“No, I’m sorry.I didn’t mean to sound so harsh.I just…”

“You?”

“I feel…” Ashari paused, sucking in a big breath.“Dirty…”

“Let’s get you cleaned,” he said, taking another step toward the shower.

“Wait,” Ashari said, smiling as he paused.“Still can’t believe your heart’s on the right side of your chest.”

Jediah chuckled.“Wan’ lie pon the next side fi hear yu man heartbeat?Never knew yu woulda ever need mi this much.”

“I don’t need you,” she said, scoffing.“But you make me feel safe.”

Jediah peered down at her with a smile.“I’m happy to hear that.”He put her in the shower, and she tensed.He cupped her face in his hands, making her look up at him through teary eyes.“Queen...You’re safe, okay?I’m here.I won’t let you drown or hurt again.Not after all you went through.”

Though unsure, Ashari nodded.He gave her a gentle smile before removing her gown.Jediah stripped down to his boxers before turning on the tap.Jediah crouched over, cupping his hand to gather water in it.When the water began running over the sides of his hand, he splashed it onto her toes.Ashari stepped backward.

Jediah looked up at her.“Ash,” he whispered, his voice gentle.Kind.The opposite of the cold man she knew.“I’m here.”

Inhaling a shaky breath, Ashari nodded.Jediah gave her that same look.It wasn’t pity.It was something more.

Understanding.

Comfort.

Love.

All that she needed right now, plus more.

He rested his dry hand on the small of her back, gently bringing her forward.He got her used to feeling the warm water on her toes and legs, before he entered the shower and turned on the faucet.

Jediah stood directly beneath the stream, his boxers clinging to his thighs as he took the brunt of the water.He wrapped an arm around Ashari’s waist.Tentatively, he brought her further beneath the water.At the first hit of water against her flesh, which washed blood down her inner thighs, Ashari screamed.

And Jediah held her closer.

Never letting go.

Not until she was reminded that she was safe.

Always.

As long as she was with him.

Chapter twenty-nine

He’dcheckedontheirbaby a few minutes ago.Now, they were back in Ashari’s private room.They were in the bed — Ashari lying on the right side of Jediah’s chest while he had an arm wrapped around her body.

Silence was mostly their companion while they waited for the lozenge Cedella had given Ashari to take effect.As they held each other, he thought of all the things he and his wife did to each other — every good deed, all the bad ones, and everything in between.Ashari’s throat still ached, but not enough where she couldn’t speak occasionally.

After she confessed about her earrings, Jediah exhaled a long sigh.

So, Reka was right.

When Jediah had returned to one of the chambers in the dungeon for them to run tests on him, Reka had told him that Ashari might’ve been recording their conversations.Jediah hadn’t believed her until she showed him an image of Ashari walking with Toby Payne.