Page 64 of Champion
A carved archway to the left of the bed beckoned towards the bathing area. The pool, crafted from glistening purple stone, was bigger than some of the outdoor pools I’d seen on Earth. The water within frothed and bubbled, the radiating steam carrying a scent that reminded me of lavender and tea tree.
“Thank you,” I muttered, too awestruck to say more. The small female took in my words with a smile, seemingly amused by my astonishment.
The girl bowed first to me, then to Charick, who stood at my side, his fingers resting on the small of my back. “If that is all, I will leave you to rest.”
The minute the door clicked shut, I let myself go soft, leaning against Charick. His arms were every bit as strong and comforting as I hoped, wrapping around me tightly.
“Are you well, my heart?” His warm breath fanned the hair at my temple.
“I don’t even know how to answer that,” I told him honestly. My insides were a whirl of thoughts and emotions. On one hand, we’d done what he came here to do. We’d exposed Nansar’s scheme, and he’d get the punishment he deserved. However, the idea of how that punishment might affect sweet Duke Ako made my stomach hurt.
And Adtovar.
“Can we… can we check on Adtovar?” It had been a little over an hour since Anges took him up to theBardagafor healing. But this was medical technology that made my old ass young again… surely it was speedier than Earth's healing.
“Of course.” Charick let his arm drop from around me long enough to tap a finger against the comm bracelet he wore. The golden band gave a small whirr, and a series of deep blue symbols rose into the air like puffs of smoke.
“He is alive. They have him in the Garoot Healer for treatment, but there is nothing further.” Charick sighed and drew me against his chest. “Our friend was gravely injured, my heart. Even with the Healer, it might take a while.”
I nodded, the tears brimming hot against my lashes. I let them fall. Wrapped in my mate’s arms, protected and loved, I sobbed with worry, relief, exhaustion, all the myriad of emotions battering my soul. I’d never been one to cry. A soldier was supposed to be stoic… in complete control of all emotion. Yet as the tears fell from my face and sobs wracked my body, wrapped in Charick’s arms—I didn’t feel weak. I felt strong… and strangely free.
Charick said nothing. He simply held me until my weeping waned, then lifted me into his arms and carried me into the bathroom. Undressing me with a gentle touch, he removed his clothes as well and carried me into the pool. The water felt divine against my sore muscles, as did the way his fingers kneaded my neck and shoulders. Under Charick’s caring ministrations, I let myself relax into a warm puddle of contented goo.
He washed my body and hair, taking care to finger-comb the thick strands so they lay like silk over my shoulders. The cloth stacked by the edge of the pool felt like wisps of fluffy clouds as Charick used it to dry my body before carrying me to the bed.
I turned to him as he joined me under the velvety covers, tired but unable to deny him… or myself, anything. Charick gave me only one kiss—a rather chaste one at that—before turning me on my side and curling up behind me.
“Rest my heart. I suspect you slept little last night.”
“How did you know?” I teased, settling back against the warmth of his body and feeling the steady thrum of his heart against my back.
“Because I did not rest well without you beside me, either.”
“I love you.” I meant the words even more now. How could I not love this wonderful male who cared for me as though I were the most precious object in the universe?
Charick pressed his lips to the curve of skin between my neck and shoulder. “You are my heart, my light, my life… my everything.”
With those words warming me from the inside and his body warming me on the outside, I drifted into a deep, restful sleep.
Pulled from slumber by a sharp knocking sound, my brain felt too fuzzy to do anything but moan in protest. At my side, Charick gave a low grumble of aggravation, pausing to press a kiss to my cheek before grabbing one of the discarded towels from the floor, wrapping it around his waist, and stomping toward the door. I barely had time to arrange the blankets over my nakedness before he yanked the door open.
I felt sorry for the small female. She jumped when Charick jerked the door open, wearing a scowl. Not to mention how her gaze swept over my mate, noticing his near nakedness, and her cheeks morphed from pale turquoise to a dark, rich blue.
“Under the circumstances, the Duke’s birthday feast has been cancelled,” she stammered, staring at the floor. I bit back asmile. “However, the Duke would like to invite you to dine with him and a small private party.”
“When?” Charick calmed somewhat.
“Twenty-one hundred hours.” The female stood, hands clasped, staring at the floor.
“Please tell the Duke we would be honored,” I called from the bed, giving her a smile and a wave. “Thank you for delivering the message.”
The female looked at me and smiled, dropping into a pose akin to a curtsey before turning on her heel and striding down the hall without giving my mate a second look.
“I wanted you to rest,” Charick grumbled as he shut the door.
“I feel better,” I promised, glancing at the large windows on the opposite side of the room. From the position of the sun, it appeared to be late afternoon, which meant I’d slept for several hours.
“How much better?” Charick’s eyebrows waggled as he dropped the towel and prowled toward the bed.
