Chapter 108
Arthur chuckled at her thought. Did she think he wanted to talk about it now? He was running on adrenaline and relief. As soon as he got somewhere he knew was safe for them both, he’d probably collapse, curled around Daphne.
“I haven’t changed much, Daphne.”
“That’s not true,” Daphne said, “You have more scars.”
Arthur shrugged, “They’ll be gone in a few days.”
“Not on your skin,” Daphne said, sliding a hand over his chest as she looked up at him, “In here.”
His heart sped up as their gazes met. He wanted to protest, but he couldn’t find the words. She was right. So much had happened. He’d been so used to not thinking about it before Daphne, then worrying about it with her, that losing her had left him floundering.
She stepped back, taking his hands and leading him towards the house.
“Come on. Let’s take a bath. I think you’ll enjoy some of the vampire amenities.”
Arthur chuckled, following her, “I’ll enjoy anything so long as you’re with me.”
Daphne’s heart skipped and she smiled, drawing him into the house. She opened the door and felt the spells activate as they entered. The layer of dust vanished. The windows opened to let in the fresh air and sunlight. He closed the door behind them as she started to unbuckle her armor. Arthur stared at her, unsure of what to make of the heat pooling in his stomach.
There was something sensual about the way she slipped out of her armor. Though it could have been the cut of her clothes beneath her armor. The dresses he was used to her wearing gave an idea of her figure, but the tailored shirt and pants let him see every curve of her body.
He liked it, but he hated the thought of anyone else seeing her like this. Had Owen seen her like this?
“Is this… what you’ve been wearing all this time?”
She stopped mid-buckle and frowned at him, “What do you mean?”
“Armor and… pants?”
She smiled, “No. This is battle attire.”
“Nicole seems to always be in pants.”
She chuckled, “Nicole is always ready for battle.”
She sighed as she undid the sword belt and let down her hair. After unlacing her boots and stepping out of them with an incredible amount of grace, she offered him her hand.
“Come on. Bath’s this way.”
He took her hand, “You’ve been here before?”
Her lips twitched, “No, but… I can feel the layout of the house.”
Arthur frowned but didn’t ask what that meant. Curiosity was bubbling in the back of his mind as she led him up the stairs and into a large bedroom. A large stone wall slid aside as they approached and Arthur froze watching it.
“What was that?”
Daphne giggled, “Magic. Come on. I promise it’s fine.”
He could feel something prickling on his skin and setting him on edge, but as she led him into the polished stone and wood room, he started to relax.
She hummed, leaving his side and crossing the room to sit on the edge of a large stone basin. He didn’t see a pump anywhere, but Daphne didn’t seem worried. She reached over and tapped a stone before water began to flow into the basin.
She grinned up at him as steam began to fill the air, “One of the many amenities.”
Arthur smiled, “That is very handy. I think I like this cottage more.”
Daphne laughed, “I bet!”
Arthur drew closer trailing his hand across her cheek and marveling at how similar and different she was. Her scent was different, but somehow, more complete. It was almost more alluring than before. Her eyes had retained their color, but there was something different about them that he couldn’t place.
The way she moved was more fluid than before, reminding him of Nicole. He reached for the collar of her shirt and began to lace it with a smile.
“This is starting to grow on me.”
Her face turned red as he pulled her shirt free of her pants and pulled it overhead. He licked his lips at the support she wore underneath. It was very different from what she wore before, made of cloth and leather, supporting her breasts without constricting her movements. He could see the toned muscles of her stomach and trailed his fingers down her center.
“I think I like this a lot.”
“Arthur,” she chided and gasped as he unlaced her pants and pulled them over her hips, dropping a kiss to her hip.
Daphne looked down at Arthur as he hooked his fingers into her underwear and pulled them down over her hips. She knew now that they’d been naked together before, but her body had changed. The little scars of her past were gone. Her skin had grown almost unnatural smooth and cool. There was more muscle beneath her skin now and more strength.
She didn’t know what he would think of these changes and it made her stomach turn with anxiety.
“You’re so beautiful,” Arthur said, his eyes shining red in his face. His large hands skimmed up the back of her legs and she shivered.
He let out a soft sigh against her hip as the tub filled beside them.
“I’ve missed you so much, Daphne…”
She smiled, I’ve missed you too, Arthur.
He jerked and looked up at her, staring at her wide-eyed. He shot to his feet grinning at her and pulling her into his arms with a relieved laugh.
“Our bond is still there,” Arthur said into her shoulder, squeezing her tight, “Daphne, I…”
She wrapped her arms around him, “It never left.”
Arthur growled nuzzling her gently, “When I couldn’t hear you… When you wouldn’t respond, I thought.”
His grip tightened around her and she reached up to stroke his messy hair.
“I love you, Arthur,” she said, her eyes fluttering closed as she breathed his scent in. Warm and musky with the slight tang of blood.
Her mouth watered feeling the warmth of his skin against her. The vein in his neck jumped with every pulse of his heart.
She bet he would taste delicious.
Her face heated and she drew back at the thought.
“Daphne?”
She shook her head, “I-It’s nothing. I…”
The water stopped and she turned to unhook her support and slip it down her arms.
“Just a…”
“Vampire thing?”
“Yeah,” Daphne said, stepping into the basin.
Arthur gave her a wry smile and stepped in after her before sinking into the basin behind her. The water was perfectly warm.
“I had a thought,” Arthur began, “When I fought Owen the first time, I had to drink your blood.”
Daphne nodded, “I know.”
“But I tasted other vampire’s blood and it didn’t taste the way yours did.”
Daphne shrugged, “By then, I’m pretty sure our blood bond was on its way.”
Arthur hummed, grabbing the bar of soap that seemingly appeared in the cubby beside the bath.
“Do we have a blood bond?”
“Half of one, I think,” Daphne said, wincing.
“What does that mean?”
She turned back to look at him, “I… haven’t drank your blood.”
Arthur narrowed his eyes at her, “You sound like you don’t want to.”
“I’ve never fed from anyone,” Daphne’s face turned bright red. “I… don’t really know how or what to do.”
Well, she knew the basics, Nicole had given her an overview, but that was different than doing it.
Arthur hummed, “Well, whenever you want, go ahead.”
Her jaw dropped open as he lathered the bar in his hands. She tapped another stone and offered him a washcloth.
“So convenient,” Arthur chuckled, taking the cloth. “Can I bathe you?”
“I-If you want.”
His eyes turned heated, “I want.”
Daphne turned away from him and felt a soft kiss on the back of her head before he started to bathe her.
She wasn’t sure how long they remain in the bath after both of them had been cleaned from head to toe, but it didn’t matter.
She dozed off against his chest, “Sleepy.”
“We should get out then and go to bed,” he said.
She yelped as he lifted her out of the tub.
“How do I get the water out?”
Daphne hummed, snuggling into his chest, “It’ll do it.”
Arthur frowned and turned back watching the water start to vanish and scoffed.
“If we’re moving, we’re moving to your castle.”
She laughed and he carried her out of the bathing room to the larger room. He tried the door to the left of the antechamber and found a large four-poster bed there. The air smelled fresh as if someone had just laundered the bedcovers and cleaned the room.
He dried them both off before climbing into the bed.
“I love you,” Arthur whispered, pulling her up against him.
“I love you too,” Daphne breathed as she slipped off into sleep.
For the first time since Daphne left with Nicole, sleep came easy.
