Seven

Summer's POV

My head felt like someone had used it as a drum all night. I blinked a few times, trying to piece together what happened after Luxian carried me to the bedroom. Everything after that was a complete blank.

I tried to sit up and immediately regretted it. Every muscle in my body ached like I'd run a marathon. That's when I noticed something was off.

My heart started pounding as I peeked under the covers. No wedding dress. No underwear. Nothing.

"Oh God, no way," I whispered, my cheeks burning. "Did I actually sleep with Luxian?"

I slowly turned my head to the side. There he was—lying on his back, completely peaceful. His face looked so calm, almost innocent, which was totally unfair considering how good-looking he was even while sleeping. He was shirtless, wearing only boxers, his chest rising and falling steadily.

I bit my lip, trying desperately to remember what happened last night. All I could recall was Luxian carrying me here, and then... nothing.

He must have sensed me moving because he rolled over and blinked his eyes open. When his gaze landed on my panicked face, a small smile tugged at his lips.

"Hey, good morning," he said, his voice low and rough from sleep. "How are you feeling?"

The sound of his morning voice made my pulse race, which was absolutely not helping my current situation. I quickly looked away, not wanting him to see how flustered I was.

"Luxian..."

"Yeah?"

"Did you... did you undress me? Did you take advantage of me while I was unconscious?" My voice came out higher than I intended, but I couldn't bring myself to look at him.

He raised an eyebrow, looking amused and slightly annoyed at the same time. "I'm your husband, your mate. Do I really need permission to be intimate with you?"

"Of course you do!" I shot back, my voice shaking with anger and embarrassment. "It's my body, not yours!"

"Just relax, no need to shout," he said, leaning closer with that infuriating smirk of his.

I could feel the heat radiating from his body, and it was making it hard to think straight.

"Nothing happened," he continued. "You threw up all over your wedding dress last night. I had to clean you up and put you to bed."

My eyes went wide. "I threw up?"

"All over yourself. It was pretty gross, actually."

I wanted to disappear into the mattress. "Oh my God, that's so embarrassing."

"You're welcome, by the way," he said with a grin, swinging his legs off the bed.

He stood up and grabbed a t-shirt from a nearby chair, pulling it over his head. Even that simple action looked effortlessly graceful.

"You cleaned me up?" I asked, still mortified.

"What was I supposed to do? Leave you in a mess?" He shrugged like it was no big deal. "You're my wife now. Taking care of you comes with the territory."

"But I was naked!"

"Summer, you were drunk and sick. I wasn't exactly thinking romantic thoughts while you were puking."

I pulled the covers up to my chin, feeling like an idiot. "I can't believe I threw up on my wedding dress. That thing cost more than most people's cars."

"It'll survive. Or we'll buy a new one." He sat on the edge of the bed, his expression softening slightly. "How's your head?"

"Better than yesterday, that's for sure"

"That's what happens when you try to drink an entire bar in one night."

"I wasn't trying to drink the whole bar," I protested. "I just wanted to forget."

"Forget what?"

I looked away again. How could I explain that I wanted to forget this whole situation? That I was terrified of being married to someone I barely knew. And I was fucking creeped out of his curse.

"Everything," I said quietly.

He was quiet for a moment. "You know, getting blackout drunk on our wedding night isn't exactly the message most wives want to send."

"I didn't plan it," I said defensively. "I haven't had alcohol in forever. I guess I forgot how it affects me."

"Why haven't you been drinking?"

" Just some anxiety issues." I didn't want to get into the details about my medication and therapy.

"Is that why you were so nervous yesterday?"

"Wouldn't you be nervous marrying a complete stranger?"

He considered this. "Fair point. Though technically, we're not complete strangers anymore."

"Right, because one drunken wedding night makes us best friends."

"Well, I did see you naked," he said with a teasing grin.

"Luxian!" I threw a pillow at him, which he caught easily.

"What? I'm just saying, we've crossed some boundaries already."

"That doesn't count! I was unconscious!"

"Relax, Summer. I'm not some monster who takes advantage of drunk women. Even if that woman is my wife."

I studied his face, trying to figure out if he was telling the truth. Something in his expression seemed sincere.

"So nothing happened? At all?"

"Nothing happened. You have my word."

I felt some of the tension leave my shoulders. "Thank you. For taking care of me, I mean."

"Don't mention it." He stood up again. "Are you hungry? You should probably eat something."

"I don't think I can keep anything down."

"Toast and tea. Trust me, it'll help."

"You know a lot about hangovers?"

"I've had my share," he said with a wry smile. "Come on, let's get you some food. And maybe some clothes."

I looked down at myself, still wrapped in the sheet. "Could you... maybe leave while I get dressed?"

"Summer, I just told you I've already seen everything. There's nothing to be shy about."

"It's different when I'm awake!"

He held up his hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. I'll ask the servant to prepare breakfast for you. And uhmmm..,your clothes are in the closet."

As he headed toward the door, he paused. "For what it's worth, you don't have to be so afraid of me. I'm not going to hurt you."

After he left, I sat there for a moment, processing everything. Maybe Luxian wasn't the monster I'd imagined him to be. But that didn't mean I was ready to trust him completely.

As I had a feeling this marriage was going to be a lot more complicated than either of us expected.