Chapter 134

[ 1,548 words ]

Arabella Toussaint:

By the time I was finally released from the hospital wing, I was more than ready to see my own room again.

Lucien, however, seemed determined to treat me like I might collapse at any second.

He pulled the blanket over me once I settled into bed and gave me a stern look. “You’re going to rest, and then you’re going to rest some more. You’re doing absolutely nothing for a few days, understood? If you need anything, call an omega, and she’ll bring it to you.”

His tone was stern, but I knew him well enough by now to recognize the fake sternness behind it. “But what about the case? I need to…”

“No more cases until you’re completely recovered.” He raised his finger while issuing the warning.

Before I could argue, he took me by surprise by pinching my cheek lightly and then kissed the same spot as if I was a little kid. I was about to roll my eyes when an omega entered carrying a tray.

She placed it on the bedside table. There was a jug of water with a glass, the medicine the physician had prescribed, a small bowl of sliced fruit, a packet of crackers, and a box of tissues. She also placed the call bell within easy reach before stepping back.

I glanced at Lucien and lifted my shoulders slightly. “What’s all this?”

“I ordered it.” He barely gave the tray another look before reaching behind me for the extra pillow. “You need to take your medicine on time, and I don’t want you taking it on an empty stomach.”

Before I could say anything, he leaned closer and slipped the pillow behind my back, adjusting it until I was sitting more comfortably. “Better?”

I watched quietly as he fussed over me, apparently taking his new caretaker duties very seriously. “You ordered all of that for me?” I asked, taking in everything laid out on the table.

“Of course.” He picked up the glass, poured some water into it, and placed it within my reach. That was when I remembered we had company.

The omega was still there, quietly watching the Lycan King fuss over me like I was incapable of looking after myself. Lucien, on the other hand, seemed to have completely forgotten she was there.

“You need to take your medicine on time, and I don’t want you taking it on an empty stomach.”

I had been wondering how to give the Royal family something to talk about. Apparently, Lucien was perfectly capable of giving them enough gossip without any help from me.

“So, you’re going to your office?” I asked while the omega was still there.

Lucien looked at me. “Do you want me to stay?” There was no hesitation in his voice.

I smiled and patted the space beside me, putting on my most fake smile. “Maya and Toby should be here soon, so I’d be very obliged if you could keep me company until they arrive.” I batted my lashes dramatically.

His mouth twitched as he sat on the edge of the bed and placed his hand on his chest in mock gratitude, leaning a little. “Oh. How generous of you.”

The omega picked up the empty tray she had brought with her and quietly headed for the door. I caught the quick glance she threw our way before disappearing into the corridor.

By dinner, half the palace would probably know that their king had become my personal caretaker and how he was fussing over me.

Lucien leaned back slightly and held my hand. “Speaking of Maya and Toby, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.” He raised my hand and started kissing my knuckles.

I ignored the little flutter his kisses caused in my belly and looked at him. “What?”

“I understand that you’ve been here for a while, and they probably wanted to see you.” He paused, studying me for a moment. “But is that the only reason?”

My eyebrows drew together. “What else would they be here for?” I tried to keep my expression innocent.

What to tell him? That Toby was here because I wanted to make him jealous?

Before I could think of an answer, the door opened, and Maya and Toby barged in without bothering to knock. Both of them stopped when they saw us. Lucien glanced at them before releasing my hand and getting to his feet. “I was already leaving.”

I almost laughed. He certainly hadn’t looked like he was planning to leave two seconds ago.

However, he leaned down and kissed the top of my head. I thought he was done, but he paused, looked at me for a second, and gave me a quick kiss on the lips too. I didn’t miss the mischief dancing in his golden eyes.

My eyes widened in surprise. “Rest,” he murmured before straightening.

I deliberately kept my eyes on him until he walked out because I already knew what I would find if I looked at my friends. The moment the door closed, I finally turned my head. My friends were standing there with matching grins on their faces.

Goddess.

I was trapped in a room with my two best friends, and those stupid grins on their faces told me I was in trouble.

***

Much later that night, after taking my medicine, I switched off the lamp and settled beneath the covers. Maya and Toby had both offered to stay with me, but I had refused. I was tired, my body still felt weak, and all I wanted was a good night’s sleep.

For a while, I got exactly that, but then I saw him.

Zorro stood beneath the trees, as those familiar fiery eyes watched me. My breath caught in my throat. “Zorro?” I took one step toward him and woke with a gasp.

I bolted up, breathing hard. My oversized T-shirt was damp with sweat, and strands of hair were stuck to my forehead.

It was only a dream. I wiped my face with both hands, but when I lay back down and closed my eyes, all I could see were those familiar eyes again. There was no way I was going back to sleep alone.

I reached for my phone and messaged Maya. Are you awake? Then I sent another message to Toby, but after several minutes of staring at my screen without getting a reply from either of them, I gave up.

Of course they were sleeping. My poor friends had barely rested while I was sick, and when they had offered to stay tonight, I had practically pushed them out of my room.

I slipped out of bed. There was only one other place I wanted to be.

Nobody stopped me when I entered the royal building. The guards recognized me and simply let me pass, although one of them looked mildly surprised to see me wandering around at this hour wearing a T-shirt. I went straight to Lucien’s room and knocked.

For a few seconds, there was silence. Then I heard movement from inside. The door opened, and every thought in my head disappeared.

Lucien stood there wearing nothing but a pair of black boxers. His hair was wet, droplets of water still running down his neck and over his chest as though he had just stepped out of the shower.

He cocked up a brow when he saw me.

“Arabella?” His eyes moved over me before returning to my face. “Is everything alright? Are you here to seduce me?” He said with a straight face, but I didn’t miss the amusement in his voice. Normally, I would have had an answer for that, but not tonight.

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to control the tears already threatening to come. When I opened them again, whatever amusement had been on his face was gone.

“Lucien, I’m scared.” My voice came out weaker than I wanted. “Can I sleep here?” His face darkened for a moment.

I quickly pointed past him toward the sofa. “I’ll sleep there. I won’t bother you, I promise. I just… I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

He didn’t answer and instead kept looking at me for several seconds before walking toward me. Without saying another word, he bent down and scooped me into his arms.

A startled sound escaped me as my arms automatically went around his neck. “What are you doing?” He carried me straight toward the bed.

“Why would you sleep on the sofa, when there’s a perfectly big bed for both of us?”

As he lowered me onto the mattress, I chewed on my lower lip, letting my gaze travel over him. His hair was still wet, drops of water sliding down his bare chest before disappearing beneath the waistband of his boxers.

Three years. It had been three years since I had fallen asleep with Lucien’s arms around me.

And right now, the thought of curling up against his warm body and letting those arms hold me through the night sounded like exactly what I needed.

A loud, unladylike yawn escaped me. “I hope Jasmine doesn’t mind that,” I mumbled sleepily. Lucien seemed to go still beside me, but I was already too sleepy to ask why.

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