The gentle warlord

Morning came quietly.

A thin stream of sunlight slipped through the curtains and spread across the room, slowly crawling over the sheets until it reached my face. I stirred beneath the warmth, my eyes squeezing shut against the brightness before I finally opened them.

For a few seconds, I had no idea where I was. Everything felt strangely peaceful, almost too peaceful, until the memories of the previous night came rushing back.

My cheeks immediately grew warm.

I shifted beneath the covers and felt a dull throbbing spread through my body. I winced slightly, trying not to move too much, before turning my head.

Zayan was already awake.

And he was staring at me.

Not the teasing, amused stare I had become accustomed to. There was no smirk playing on his lips, no mischievous glint in those piercing eyes. Instead, he looked genuinely concerned, his brows slightly drawn together as though he was studying every little movement I made.

I blinked at him. “Why are you staring at me?”

He didn’t answer immediately. His eyes moved over my face, then down to the way I was holding myself beneath the blankets. “Are you hurt?”

I frowned. “What?”

“Mariana.” His voice was quieter now. “Are you in pain?”

I stared at him, completely caught off guard. I had expected him to tease me about waking up in his arms or make some arrogant comment about how I had spent the entire night refusing to let him go. Instead, he looked like a man genuinely worried that he had done something wrong.

I tried to sit up, but the movement made me wince again.

Zayan noticed immediately.

His expression tightened. “Come here…you’re hurting.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not.”

“I said I’m fine.”

“And I’m telling you that you’re not.” He reached toward me but stopped himself before touching me, as though he was afraid even the slightest movement would make things worse. “Was I too rough with you last night?”

My eyes widened.

For some reason, hearing the concern in his voice made my heart flutter.

“You’re actually worried?”

His brows furrowed even more. “Of course I’m worried.”

I stared at him for another moment before a small smile tugged at my lips. “This is strange…is this another trick from you before you tease me.”

His expression softened. “I’m sorry.”

That wiped the teasing smile from my face.

He reached for my hand and gently squeezed it. “I should have been more careful. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Something about the sincerity in his voice made my chest ache.

This was the same man everyone had described as ruthless. The terrifying warlord whose name was spoken in whispers. The man my father had practically sold me to because he believed I would never survive him.

Yet here he was, looking at me as though my discomfort mattered more than anything else.

“You should rest today,” he said. “I’ll have Clara bring hot water and some clean cloth. You don’t need to go anywhere.”

“Zayan—”

“No arguments.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Are you ordering me?”

“Yes.”

I scoffed.

For the first time that morning, the corner of his mouth lifted.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” Zayan called.

Clara entered carrying a basin of warm water, several clean cloths, and a small container of what smelled like herbs. She stopped when she saw me sitting against the headboard, then glanced at Zayan.

“My Lady, I’ll take care of you now.”

Before I could answer, Zayan held out his hand.

“Give them to me.”

Clara blinked. “My Lord?”

“I’ll take care of her myself.”

I looked at Clara.

Clara looked at me,then the most knowing smile appeared on her face.

“Oh.”

I immediately narrowed my eyes at her.

She hid her amusement behind a cough. “Of course, My Lord. I’ll leave you both to it.”

“Clara—”

But she was already backing toward the door.

“Take your time, My Lady.”

The door closed.

I turned slowly toward Zayan.

“Did you have to make it so obvious.”I protested,burying my face into the blanket.

He dipped the cloth into the warm water and wrung it out carefully. “I’ll try to hide it next time.”he chuckled.

He shifted closer and gently lifted me, settling me against him so that I was resting comfortably on his lap. The movement was surprisingly careful, completely different from the powerful way he had handled me the previous night.

I watched him silently as he tended to me, his fingers moving with a gentleness I hadn’t expected from him. Every so often, his eyes would flick toward my face, checking my expression to make sure I wasn’t uncomfortable.

“You’re really doing this yourself,” I murmured.

“I said I would.”

“You’re supposed to be some terrifying warlord.”

“I am.”

I smiled faintly. “You don’t look very terrifying right now.”

His eyes lifted to mine. “Don’t get too comfortable, little wolf.”

I laughed softly.

He continued tending to me, and for a while, neither of us said anything. There was something strangely intimate about the silence. Not the kind that made me uncomfortable, but the kind that made me realize how different this man was from everything I had been told about him.

When his hand brushed gently against me again, I caught his wrist.

He immediately stopped.

“Is the water too hot?”

“No.”

“Then what is it?”

I looked at him for a moment before leaning forward and pressing a soft kiss against his lips.

He froze.

When I pulled back, his eyes were filled with disbelief.

I smiled. “What?”

His brows rose. “You were holding my hand because you wanted to kiss me?”

“Maybe.”

A slow grin spread across his face. “So this is how you’re going to repay me for taking care of you?”

“I don’t think you understand.”

“Understand what?”

“You can’t sit there looking at me like I’m some fragile little thing, be this gentle with me, and expect me not to react.”

His laugh rumbled through his chest.

“There she is,” he murmured. “I was beginning to wonder where my troublesome bride had gone.”

I rolled my eyes. “You missed me?”

“Terribly.”

I stared at him.

He leaned closer, his voice dropping into a teasing whisper. “You’re lucky I have a council meeting today. Otherwise, I might have to teach you another lesson for teasing me while I’m trying to take care of you.”

My cheeks heated.

Later, after he had finished helping me and gotten dressed for his meeting, I found myself helping him with the final details of his clothing. He stood patiently while I straightened his collar, my fingers lingering for a second longer than necessary.

Then I stepped away.

Something was bothering me.

I walked toward the window and stared outside, watching guards move through the courtyard below. Zayan noticed almost immediately.

“Is everything all right?”

I turned.

“Yes.”

“You’ve been pacing for the last five minutes.”He walked toward me. “Do you need anything?”

“No.”

“Do you miss home?”

The question caught me off guard.

I looked away.

“Far from it.”

His expression changed slightly.

“There isn’t a single person there I miss,” I admitted. “Except one.”

“Who?”

“My friend. Clarissa.” I swallowed.”I haven’t heard from her since I left. I don’t even know if she’s all right.”

Zayan reached for my hand.

“You don’t need my permission to speak to your friend.”

I looked up at him.

“You can write to her,” he continued. “Give the letter to the guards. They’ll make sure it reaches her.”

My face brightened.

“Really?”

“Really.”

A smile spread across my face before I could stop it.

“Thank you.”

He squeezed my hand. “You shouldn’t have to ask me for something like that, Mariana. You had a life before me and I wouldn’t want to take that from you.”

For a moment, I simply stared at him.Then I leaned forward and hugged him, his arms immediately wrapped around me.

“Thank you,” I whispered again.

He kissed the top of my head before pulling away. “Now, I have a meeting to attend.”

“With the council?”

“Yes. Try not to cause trouble while I’m gone.”

I smiled innocently.

“I make no promises.”

He shook his head, amused, and walked toward the door.

Just before he stepped out, he looked back at me.

“Rest.”

I nodded.

The door closed behind him.