Chapter 542

[ 1,083 words ]

[Meredith].

I leaned my head back against the rim of the tub and closed my eyes, letting the day drain out of me inch by inch.

And that was when I sensed him along with his familiar scent.

I opened my eyes slowly, and there Draven was, leaning against the doorframe, watching me with that familiar look that made my heart forget how to behave.

“Are you done pretending I’m not here?” he asked lightly.

Heat crept up my neck instantly. “You have knocked to draw my attention,” I muttered.

“I did,” he said. “But you didn’t answer.”

I shifted in the water, suddenly far too aware of myself. “That doesn’t mean you are allowed to watch secretly.”

His lips curved. “You didn’t say I couldn’t.”

I huffed, sinking a little lower in the tub, though the gesture was useless. My ears felt warm, embarrassingly so.

Draven pushed himself off the door frame and stepped closer, his voice softer now. “You look exhausted.”

“I am,” I admitted before I could stop myself.

For a moment, he only studied me, and something in his expression gentled. Then he rolled up his sleeves.

“Move forward,” he said quietly. “Let me help.”

I hesitated because suddenly, the vulnerability of it all pressed down on me. Letting someone care for you when you’re worn thin was its own kind of courage.

But this was my husband, my mate, so I nodded in the end.

Draven knelt beside the tub, carefully and unhurriedly. His warm, steady hands dipped into the water as he helped rinse the suds from my shoulders and arms.

The touch was reverent, almost ceremonial, as though he understood that this wasn’t about bathing at all.

I relaxed despite myself.

“See?” he murmured, a hint of pride in his tone. “I can behave.”

I snorted softly. “For now.”

He smiled at that, but when he helped me out of the tub moments later, wrapping a towel around me with practised ease, I noticed the way his jaw tightened, restraint written plainly across his face.

Next, he sat me down on the edge of the tub, drying my arms and my hair, slowly and thoroughly. I hadn’t realized how heavy my eyelids felt until I nearly leaned into him.

“You have to lie down,” he said. “And I will help with the rest.”

I didn’t even question it.

He guided me to the cushioned bench near the window of our bedroom, and I stretched out on my stomach, too tired to argue.

When his hands pressed gently into my shoulders, I sighed. “Draven…”

“That bad?”

“Yes,” I breathed. “Don’t stop.”

At first, the massage was perfect—firm, skilled, easing the ache from my back, my neck, my legs. I melted into it, the tension bleeding away.

But then, his thumbs lingered just a second longer than necessary, and the next moment, his hands slid lower.

Instantly, I cracked one eye open. “You’re being naughty.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replied smoothly, his hands stilling in innocent compliance for exactly three seconds.

I groaned when he resumed, half-laughing, half-trapped as he leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear.

“You agreed to the massage,” he said. “You didn’t say anything about rules.”

“This is a trap,” I accused.

“A very comfortable one.”

I buried my face in my arms, laughing despite myself. I would absolutely regret this later—but right now, I didn’t care because I was safe, cherished and loved.

By the time Draven finished, I felt like my bones had been rearranged properly for the first time in days.

My body was loose, heavy in that pleasant way that came only after real care, not rushed or demanded.

Finally, he helped me into one of his shirts, the fabric warm from his skin, and guided me toward the bed as if I might shatter if he moved too quickly.

“Lie down,” he murmured. “Just for a bit.”

I didn’t argue. The mattress dipped beside me as he settled down, pulling the covers over us. One arm curved around my waist, firm and grounding, his hand resting there as if it belonged nowhere else.

Then his chin brushed the crown of my head. “You worked too hard today,” he said quietly.

I hummed in agreement, already drifting. “Someone had to.”

A soft chuckle vibrated against me. “You don’t always have to be strong.”

I wanted to tell him I knew that. I wanted to tell him a lot of things, but instead, sleep claimed me without permission.

—

I woke up to Draven’s warmth and presence.

His breathing was slow and even, his arm still around me, thumb tracing absent-minded circles against my side even in sleep.

For a moment, I stayed still, listening to his heartbeat, memorizing the quiet. Then I noticed the time. Five minutes to five.

“Moons,” I whispered and shifted carefully, but the moment I tried to slide away, his arm tightened.

“You’re awake,” he said with a voice rough with sleep.

“I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” I said softly. “My maidservants are supposed to be back by now.”

He opened one eye, studying me, then smiled faintly. “You needed it.”

“I know. But if I don’t start the balms today, I will be behind.”

He sighed theatrically but released me, sitting up as well. “Go. I will survive without you for an hour.”

I smiled, leaning in to press a quick kiss to his lips. “Barely.”

“Rude,” he muttered, but his eyes were fond.

I slipped off the bed, suddenly energized despite the nap—my body lighter, my mind clearer.

By the time I reached my workstation, the house had settled into that familiar late-afternoon quiet—no rushing feet, no raised voices. Just purpose humming beneath the walls.

By the time the double doors to my workstation closed behind me, the afternoon sun had shifted. It was no longer sharp, but warm and steady, spilling in through the open garden door like quiet encouragement.

I exhaled slowly.

This room felt alive. The long worktable was already laid out the way I liked it. Azul stood near the shelves, sleeves rolled up, carefully rinsing glass jars.

Kira and Deidra were at the side counter, sorting dried herbs into shallow trays, their fingers moving with quick precision, while Arya and Cora were separating anything bruised or imperfect.

I flexed my fingers once, then again.

“Alright,” I said, my voice calm but firm. “Let’s begin properly.”

Every one of them straightened instinctively.

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