His Forsaken Luna-Chapter 25: Spark

Her scent is like a sweet poison. I wish to drown in it.

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Shame tints my cheeks to a dark pink. Only meters away from the bed, Theo is lying down half-naked. He turns around so his back is on display with a few red welts on his skin. It is a striking reminder of the punishment he took the night before merely for being involved with me as a slave.

More shame engulfs me. I am a terrible person.

While I’d been going through my heat and being pleasured by Soren, Theo had been in pain, feverish and possibly unable to sleep because of us. Squeezing my eyes shut, I try to ignore the embarrassment, shame and darkening thoughts grasping at my chest and throat. It is done now, there is no point in wallowing over it; I try to breathe out any negativity slowly and focus on the present.

Theo’s breathing is deeper again, as though he has fallen back asleep. I note the dull light from the window. It is still early. Only birds sing in the wild, and servants begin their day. Not mine, though. I am grateful for Margarette’s lack of work ethic.

If she had discovered me in bed with Soren, that would have been a worthy report indeed. Maybe then, Deyanira would pay her more handsomely, and she could find a cure for her youngling. Alas, my gems only serve to get her daughter medicine.

Slowly, I meander out of bed, keeping the covers tightly to my chest, and attempt to grab my gown, throwing it on quickly, believing Theo might open his eyes any second now—not that it mattered if he saw everything last night anyway. I cringe again at the thought.

Quietly, I stroll over to the wardrobe, grab my shirt and breeches and change inside the water closet. After pulling on some boots and wrapping one of the throws around my shoulders to keep off the chill, I kneel beside Theo and inspect his back, marvelling at how his skin is already mostly smooth.

The welts were obviously deeper wounds, but with his healing ability, it would take maybe a few days before the scarring healed over. Only severe wounds like Soren’s leave scars or like my own. They tingle like the phantom of the whip kissing the back of my calves.

"I wish mine would heal like that," I whisper in awe, my hand reaching out, hovering above the area before curling my fist back to my side.

"You will get a wolf." I startle at Theo’s gruff voice. My eyes snapped to his, and he was blinking slowly, his cheek pressed against the cushion. There was only a tint of bruising around one eye left and a red dot near his pupil.

The guards really did a number on him. It pinches my heart to see him like this, even as his injuries are healing. It has only been seconds since his remark, but I only just register what he has said.

With a snort, I roll my eyes. "I long stopped believing in fairytales," I whisper gently. "It is the only way to survive this cold world."

Theo reaches up, but the movement slows as he moves a few strands away from my face. "You are too good for this world, and it has been cruel to you." His fingers then placed gently beside my eye, and his glittering blue eyes locked on mine. "Don’t let it zap out that fiery spark."

"I’ll try," my voice is shaky in response, emotion welling in my chest.

"Also," he adds with a slight smirk. "Don’t let that prick get you down."

I blink back, stunned at his words, and wondering which prick he was speaking of. There were quite a few. "Huh?"

"Soren’s probably confused." His hand drops before his nose wrinkles. "I thought I was hallucinating last night, but I can smell him on you."

My cheeks heat, and I look the other way. "You know..." Theo began, his tone not accusing, not mocking or jesting, but serious. Intrigued, my gaze flicks back to him, anticipation tugging my brows together to see what expression he wears.

There is no judgement in his gaze. "Going into heat is another indication that you have a wolf."

Instantly, I shake my head. "No." I lean back onto the heels of my feet. "I have thought about it. I am still of Were blood. Going into heat doesn’t mean I can shift into a wolf." It means I am getting old and need a mate.

Theo pushes himself up into a seated position, the blankets staying over his legs as he swings them around, and leans his elbows on his knees, hunched over with a slight grimace.

"You should rest more." I wince with him, expecting some of his wounds to reopen. They don’t.

"I’ve rested enough." Theo fixes me with a stare. "I am your slave, Ida."

"So...?" I tilt my head. "I am not allowed to worry over you..."

Theo blinked a few times like he wasn’t expecting that answer. He brushes his fingers through his hair, removing the locks stuck to his face before replying, enunciating each word slowly so I could understand. "I am your slave, Ida. You can ask me to do anything... I will do it."

My brows furrow. Surely he isn’t suggesting... He gives me a look like what I am thinking is actually correct. WHAT?!

"Without leaving after like a pussy unable to control my emotions like a certain someone.," Theo continues. I part my lips, a decline on my tongue, but he stands up, those muscles flexing and long johns revealing a little more of his shapely groin. "I will run you a bath."

My lips are still apart as I watch him walk away from me and to the water closet. "You should have a bath..." I suggest, clearing my throat. "Take mine instead."

Theo pauses at the tub and looks at me from the room like I have gone mad. "I mean it," I add more command in my voice.

He doesn’t reply at first, ensuring the water is adequate as I sit on the chaise, facing the fire. I hear his footsteps approaching and look up, ignoring his naked torso. "I care for you too, Ida. That is why I cannot have your bath." I frown, but he continues. "If your maid walks in-"

"She will not," I interrupt. "It is too early for her to start."

Theo glances at the sun rising outside the windows. I add quietly, "This is not the main palace, Theo. If you are still worried, keep the door open. She will assume I am using you for some sort of kink."

Theo’s head snaps back to me, pretty eyes slightly rounded at my comment. "You know of such kinks? I thought you were sheltered... from such things."

I smirk. "Last night was not the first time I went into Ulfstad. I am just not... experienced." I look down, cheeks a little flushed, remembering the she-wolves straddling the men in The Huntsman.

Then again, could having three experiences count? "Go bathe. I have much to tell you when you’re out."

Theo looked at me a while longer, his expression unreadable, before he turned away and back to the water closet. "Tell me once you’ve bathed as well. I’d rather not smell another man on you." My cheeks heated again, but I felt lighter after speaking with him.

I forgot what it was like to have a friend. He did not judge me. Although stating he would do... with me because of my cursed heat was surprising.

Still, it was the first time since before my mother’s death I felt a little more at home, with a little thrill of anticipation about where this friendship with Theo could lead. I quickly squash that thought down, along with the butterflies fluttering in my stomach.