She lowered her gaze and reached towards the stubborn button at his chest. It was wedged tightly, where a thread had gotten stuck in between. Her fingers trembled slightly as she tried to loosen it, careful not to touch his skin, though the warmth radiating from him was impossible to ignore.
As she busied herself with the button, Zed watched her silently, a small smirk curling on his lips. The candlelight played on her flushed face, catching the brown strands of her hair. She was shy, innocent and naive and he found it amusing, thinking of her as adorable. And now that she was close enough, he could smell the soft lavender scent of her skin.
After a few failed tugs, the thread finally gave way, and the button came loose. Zed exhaled deeply, the tension easing from his chest.
"Thank you," he said, his voice low and smooth.
She nodded quickly, avoiding his gaze, and turned to retreat back toward the bed. He removed his shirt without hesitation, revealing the strong lines of his chest and shoulders. Skye caught a glimpse before looking away entirely, her cheeks burning.
The bed dipped slightly as Zed joined her moments later. She froze, keeping her back to him. The realization that she was lying beside him shirtless, made her heart race uncontrollably.
She had wanted this, hadn't she? To be near him? But now that she was, all the courage she'd gathered seemed to vanish.
"Skye?" his voice broke through the silence.
"Yes?" she whispered, her back still turned.
"Turn around," he said, his tone commanding but not harsh.
Her breath caught. Slowly, she turned only to find him watching her, half-reclined against the pillows, the pretty amber glow of his eyes, he was shirtless and the moonlight shone on his pale white skin with hardened muscles and he was only in slacks. He was breathtaking, her gaze lingered a little and she gasped in realisation before turning away again.
"Turn around," he repeated, amusement lacing his voice.
She shook her head quickly without turning.
He chuckled under his breath. "Very well, then."
He lay back, folding an arm under his head, a faint smile still playing at his lips.
---
Hours deep into the night, Skye woke up with a start from strange noises she had heard. The air felt colder, the warm glow from the candles had dimmed to thin threads of smoke.
Turning her head, she found Zed peacefully asleep beside her. She let her eyes trail down his back, his body. A light sheen of sweat glimmered on his strong back, and the rise and fall of his breath made her chest tighten, and he had his hair in some kind of ponytail.
But then she began to hear the noises again.
Her skin prickled in fear "Princ ... .Zed?" she called softly, reaching out but she was afraid of touching his bare skin.
He didn't move. The sound came again, closer this time, and the candles flickered wildly before going off.
"Skye…" the whisper came again, clearer now. It was an unfamiliar voice and it belonged to a female.
She screamed, and in an instant, Zed was awake. The candle lights returned and the sounds disappeared.
He sat upright, his eyes already bright with a sharp red tint. Turning over, he found Skye with fear-filled eyes.
"What's wrong?" he asked worriedly.
"S….someone was here," she stammered, shaking. Her hands clutched the sheets tightly.
Zed stood, scanning the room, murmuring something under his breath. The air shifted, as if responding to his presence, but nothing appeared. Though he could not see anything he still believed her.
"Don't worry It's gone," he assured, climbing back into the bed. Still trembling, she nodded, unable to speak.
"Come here," he called to her, stretching out an arm to her.
She hesitated only for a second, watching the colour of his eyes before rushing into his embrace. He wrapped his arms around her, drawing her closer and Skye wrapped herself tightly around him, his warmth enveloping her.
Her head rested on his chest, and she could hear the strong, rhythmic beat of his heart. Slowly, her breathing calmed and she stopped trembling.
"Will they return?" she whispered.
"No," he murmured, his voice soft. "Not while I'm here."
He brushed a strand of hair from her face, letting his hand linger against her cheek. She closed her eyes and snuggled deeper into him and within moments, she fell asleep still in his arms.
Zed stared down at her, where her brown hair was in his face. He was not used to such closeness. It unsettled him, the way her warmth seeped into him, the way her scent made his pulse quicken. She stirred something inside him he hadn't felt in years.
And yet, he didn't push her away.
He willed himself to sleep, holding her close.
○•○•○
By morning, the Sun shone into the room, filling it with warmness. Skye stirred and stretched out with a yawn. She blinked, confused at first, this was not her room. She took in her environment and it took her a moment to realise she was in Zed's room.
"Zed?" she called softly but there was no reply. She hopped down from the bed, checked the entire room but she couldn't find him. She began to worry and decided to check the bath chamber. On arriving, she found the tub filled with water and rose petals and steam erupted from the tub. Zed sat half-submerged in a marble while two maids washed him.
She flushed and immediately turned away. "I…..I'm sorry, I didn't know you were in here," she stammered.
"Leave," Zed ordered the maids, and they hurried out without a word.
"Come"
She hesitated, staring at the floor. "I….I didn't mean to walk in on yo…"
"Come," he repeated.
Her feet moved before her mind caught up. When she stood before him, she couldn't bring herself to look.
"My maids were tired," he said casually, resting an arm on the edge of the tub. "I would like you to wash me."
The maids were not tired, he asked them to leave! Looking at him she saw his evil smile and amber eyes.
"I…..I do not know how to," she stammered, hoping to run and escape the situation.
"Well then, you will learn. But for now wash me how you can" he said with a smile still on his face.
Reluctantly, she picked up the small jug of milk and poured it slowly over his shoulder, then used a washcloth to trace and gently rub across his pale skin hesitant circles along his skin, tensing whenever her skin came in contact with his.
"Use your hands please" he continued taunting and she dropped the washcloth and obeyed, fingers trembling as they met his warm skin. Her hands swaying down his neck, Zed closed his eyes from the touch. He loved the feel of her hand on his skin.
"You are not going to wash my neck alone are you?" He asked when she did not move from there. He caught her hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a kiss against her knuckles, making her breath hitch and her cheeks turn rosy.
"You will need to get used to this, now that I'm married, I no longer require my maids to wash me" he said, his tone suddenly low, almost a whisper.
She nodded shyly, still blushing furiously, and he smiled faintly.
He wasn't one for being touched, but this time, he did and by doing this maybe Skye would get more comfortable with him. The maids washing him had been part of his plan, to draw her closer as he would usually wash himself.
He let go of her hand and the smile still played on his lips. "You may continue wife"