Sacrificial Bride to the Feared Lord Hastings-Chapter 256: Reunited (2)

Ophelia didn’t believe what she was seeing at first. She thought this was like the other time she had woken up after feeling someone touch her, but this time she was imagining Dante.

"I must still be unwell," Ophelia said, regretting she had not taken more medicine.

"You were sick?’

Hearing Dante’s voice made Ophelia realise that this wasn’t all in her head. She reached to poke his face and could not deny it

"No! I missed it," Ophelia said, disappointed she missed the return. "I tried to stay away. You must believe me."

"I do," Dante said, moving the rest of the fallen strands from Ophelia’s face. "I feel better knowing that you were able to rest. Seeing you so comfortable in our bedchamber brings me peace."

Ophelia sat up, her gaze going to the dried blood on Dante’s armour. "Are you injured?"

"No, it isn’t my blood. I will get out of my armour and clean myself shortly-"

"I will help you," Ophelia offered, needing to check for injuries. "You have returned from a long journey. You must be tired, so allow me to bathe you. I must see for myself that you are not injured. Get out of your armour."

"Ophelia," Dante said, using what little strength he had to restrain himself. "You must be careful."

"So what if we end up making love? As long as you are not tired, I don’t see why not. I so desperately wish to kiss you," Ophelia said and leaned forward, only for Dante to back away. "Why? You don’t want to?"

"I very much want to kiss you and do far more, but I am filthy. If it is not sweat and dirt, there is dry blood. I don’t want you to taste any of it. It is hard, but we must wait until I am cleaned," Dante said, regretting not taking a bath during the journey.

"Did you rest during your return home?" Ophelia asked, realising the lengths Dante took to return to her so fast.

"I stopped to allow the men to rest," Dante answered. "Though those rest did not last long. There was only water for us to drink, so we could not spare it for a bath. We weren’t lucky to have rain."

"Get out of your armour, Dante. I must inspect you, and I will bathe you. Be undressed by the time I return from speaking to Alice. I will have warm water from your bath brought to the chamber," Ophelia said as she stood up.

Ophelia hastily walked to the door. She wanted to act fast so she could finally kiss Dante, and do all that filled her mind.

"Ophelia!" Dante called, wanting to spend more time with her.

One look from Ophelia before she opened the door was enough to make Dante stand and start to remove his armour.

Ophelia was soon at Dante’s side again after speaking to Alice, and helped him to remove every piece of armour.

"I am well," Dante promised, knowing Ophelia was still worried, though he was standing before her. "I am not injured. Ophelia, look at me," he said, touching her face.

Ophelia looked up and did not try to hide her tears. "I will see for myself that you are well. I don’t want to go through this again. To be left back at the castle, worried about your well-being. Even though I know strengths from the beast are still within you, I was worried. No news of you came."

Dante placed his hands on Ophelia’s shoulders to calm her. "I apologise for my side being so quiet, but I assure you that I am well. I will not be going out to war anytime soon, so you won’t have to face this soon. I will be here with you, always."

Ophelia stepped forward and rested her head on Dante’s bare chest. "You are in dire need of a bath. How did you last so long with this scent?"

Dante chuckled and snaked his arms around Ophelia’s waist. "I am used to it."

"And now you trap me so I cannot breathe. I appreciate that you were in a rush to see me, but please, take time to cleanse yourself. That way, I do not need to wait to kiss you. Must I truly wait for you to have your bath?" Ophelia asked, eager to kiss Dante now.

"You must, unless you want to fall sick. I will make up for it," Dante promised.

"I will have the maids move faster. Cover yourself so you do not scare them," Ophelia said, trying not to let her eyes wander as she walked back to the door. Despite what she told Alice, Ophelia wanted to take Dante to their bed and ravish him.

Dante was left naked and alone for what felt like an hour, but it wasn’t. He covered himself with a blanket when Ophelia returned with maids carrying water for his bath.

Ophelia guided the maids, and once the bath was ready, she sent them out. She approached Dante and grabbed him by his hand to take him inside the bathing chamber.

"You have become quite bold since I last saw you," Dante said, enjoying how Ophelia eyed his body without shying away.

Ophelia didn’t respond. She helped him into the tub, and after he sat down, she dipped a rag into the water and used it to wash his face.

"You are very impatient-"

Dante didn’t get to finish as Ophelia silenced him with a kiss. She had waited too long and could not take it anymore.

Dante spilt water as he raised his hand to pull Ophelia forward. She was standing behind him, so it provided an awkward angle. She surprised him by being the one to slip her tongue between his parted lips.

There was no doubt in Dante’s mind that he was missed dearly. He had been away from Ophelia for far too long.

"Join me," Dante managed to voice between the kisses.

"I couldn’t kiss you, but I can be intimate with you in this water?" Ophelia asked, teasing Dante by not moving.

"Ophelia Hastings, join me before I get out for you," Dante said, his patience finally snapped.

Ophelia smiled against Dante’s lips. She quite liked seeing him be frustrated.

Ophelia pulled away from Dante and moved further behind him so he wouldn’t see her get undressed. It was only when the last of her clothing fell to the floor that Ophelia moved to the right so Dante would see her.

Dante offered his hand to help Ophelia into the tub. Her weight made the water rise and spill over onto the floor, but neither one thought it was important right now.

Ophelia looked down, careful not to rest her weight on Dante’s torso. While he didn’t have any wounds, she still worried his body had taken a beating, so he was sore.

Ophelia bit her lip as she took a moment to admire Dante’s looks and enjoy that he was now safe.

"Tell me if I hurt you," Ophelia said, and raked her fingers down his chest.