Chapter 6: Silk and Shadows

The royal suite was a sanctuary of dark mahogany, crushed crimson velvet, and shimmering obsidian stone. Soft sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling arched windows, but the towering presence of King Salvatore made the massive room feel impossibly small.

He hadn't stepped away from me for even a second.

His knee remained planted firmly on the mattress between my thighs, his massive body casting a broad shadow over me as his hand gently smoothed the tangled strands of hair away from my face. His amber-silver eyes scanned every line of my features, hungry and unyielding, as if checking to ensure I hadn't magically vanished.

"Your body is exhausted," Salvatore growled softly, his voice a low, gravelly vibration. He slid his large palms under my knees, lifting my legs onto the bed before sweeping the heavy velvet cloak away.

I gasped softly as the cool morning air hit my exposed skin. My dress was completely ruined, shredded beyond repair from the feral night in the sanctuary pool. Bruises in the shape of his broad fingers were blooming over my soft hips, faint purple marks contrasting sharply against my pale skin.

Instead of hiding, I held his gaze. In my past life, Brandon had made me feel ashamed of my plush thighs and full hips, calling them soft and unsightly. But Salvatore stared at those same curves like a starving man offered a royal feast.

His jaw tightened, a dark flame leaping into his eyes. "Beautiful," he purred, running a warm, calloused palm down the swell of my thigh. "I did this to you. Every mark on your skin is mine."

"Salvatore..." I whispered, my voice trembling slightly as his touch sent a wave of heat straight to my core.

"Rest," he commanded gently, though the authority in his tone left no room for argument. He reached over to the bedside table, pulling a bell-rope made of woven gold cord.

Within moments, a soft knock echoed at the heavy double doors.

"Enter," Salvatore barked without looking away from me.

An elderly woman in crisp grey robes stepped inside, followed by four young servants carrying armfuls of silk, velvet gowns, and silver trays laden with fresh fruit, roasted meats, and warm decanters. The moment the servants caught sight of Salvatore leaning over me, and the glowing royal mark pulsing brightly on my collarbone, they immediately lowered their heads, bowing so deeply their foreheads nearly touched the polished floorboards.

"Your Majesty," the elderly woman said respectfully, her voice steady. "We have brought the royal garments and breakfast as requested."

"Leave the clothes," Salvatore ordered, his possessive gaze remaining locked on my face. "Prepare a warm bath with the crushed moon-lilies. My Queen requires healing."

"At once, my Lord," she replied, gesturing for the servants to set down the trays and stack the exquisite gowns on the velvet chaise lounge before retreating quietly into the adjoining bathing chamber.

I looked at the mountain of silk and jewels stacked on the furniture. There were emerald gowns, crushed ruby corsets, and gossamer robes trimmed with silver fur. Brandon had barely allowed me two simple dresses a year, claiming the pack couldn't waste resources on someone of my standing. Now, the most powerful monarch in the world was showering me with treasures just for breathing.

"You don't need to buy me all of this," I murmured, my hand resting against his broad chest.

Salvatore let out a deep rumble of laughter, leaning down to press his lips against the shell of my ear. "I will wrap you in the finest silk in the realm, Jennifer. You are the Lycan Queen. The world will see you dripping in luxury, and they will know who bought it for you."

He scooped me up effortlessly into his arms, carrying me into the grand bathing chamber.

A massive sunken pool of steaming, clear water sat in the center of the marble room, filled with floating white petals that gave off a sweet, soothing aroma. Salvatore stepped straight into the warm water with his trousers still on, lowering me gently into the pool until the soothing heat enveloped my aching muscles.

I let out a soft sigh as the soreness in my thighs and back began to ease under the magical herbs infused in the water. Salvatore sat on the submerged marble ledge beside me, taking a soft linen cloth and gently washing my shoulders, his large hands surprisingly delicate as he moved around the glowing crest on my collarbone.

"You're quiet," he noted, his thumb lightly stroking my cheek. "Are you afraid of me, Jennifer?"

"No," I answered honestly, looking straight into his intense amber eyes. "I'm not afraid of you, Salvatore."

It was the truth. He was dangerous, feral, and obsessively possessive, but behind his madness was an absolute devotion I had never experienced in my previous life.

"Good," he growled, leaning in to press a fierce, lingering kiss onto my lips. "Because I will never let you go."

As his mouth moved against mine, the soothing warmth of the water suddenly felt icy against my skin.

Deep within the core of my chest, behind the throbbing heat of Salvatore's Lycan mark, a cold, dark pulse beat sharply. The scent of the crushed lilies vanished, replaced for a brief second by the metallic, iron tang of blood and the scent of night air.

My vision flickered.

For a fraction of a second, the reflection in the clear bathwater didn't show Salvatore's golden-bronze hair or amber eyes. Instead, I saw a pair of striking, midnight-silver eyes staring up at me from the dark depths of my mind, cold, hypnotic, and ancient.

He claims your flesh, little Queen... a smooth, velvet voice whispered directly into my soul, echoing with a chilling, aristocratic elegance. ...but your blood belongs to the moonless night. Wait for me.

I gasped, pulling back slightly from Salvatore's kiss as my heart hammered wildly against my ribs. My gums prickled with that same sharp, carnivorous itch, my blood stirring further under the pressure of two conflicting forces.

Salvatore’s silver-tinted eyes narrowed instantly, his possessive instincts flaring as he felt my sudden tension. His hand gripped the back of my neck, holding me close. "What is it?" He demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "What did you feel?"

"Nothing," I breathed, forcing my composure back into place as I gave him a soft, seductive smile, resting my palms on his massive shoulders. "Just... overwhelmed by my King."

Salvatore stared at me intensely for a long moment, searching my face. The territorial beast inside him growled softly, satisfied by my answer. However, his eyes lingered suspiciously on the strange, icy glow that flickered deep within my eyes before vanishing into the shadows.