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He turns back, grinning as he gestures to the shower. “Thank you for the permission.” I roll my eyes but smile.

Anticipation thickens the air as I step into the shower. The water is hot, soothing. It’s been so long since I stood in a shower, and it feels amazing. Closing my eyes, I tilt my head back under the water. Suddenly, a presence looms nearby. Opening my eyes, I spot him standing in front of me, a drying cloth around his waist. My breath catches as my fingers twitch nervously.

“No expectations, Reign… Do you trust me?” His voice is soft yet still husky.

Voicing my words with certainty I say, “Yes… Yes, I trust you.” Everything in my life has trained me not to trust men, yet I trust him. I know he won’t hurt me. He will either be my biggest regret or my greatest redemption.

“Good. Turn around.”

I obey, facing the shower spout. The hot water sprays soothingly over my body, soaking the drying cloth completely. The scent of wood and citrus fills the air as strong hands find their way into my hair, massaging my scalp as he washes it. Leaning into his touch, a slight moan escapes my lips. His touch is so caring, so tender—nothing like the Luke everyone else knows. Suddenly, I feel honored to see this side of him. Maybe there is more to the devil after all.

Luke grasps my shoulders, spinning me around so my hair is under the water. He steps closer, his body brushing against mine. Strong fingers delicately rinse the soap from my hair while his gaze remains locked on mine, filled with an intensity I can’t quite place. Leaning down, he plants a soft kiss on the center of my forehead, and I literally feel like I could melt.

Will the prisoner win the prince after all? Can I possibly have my happy ending? The thought of killing his sister lingers in the back of my mind, but I push it away. I want to enjoy this moment with him, play pretend just for a little while.

He lathers soap on a washing cloth and begins to scrub my shoulders, then arms, then my neck, carefully avoiding my breasts. He spins me back around, washing my back above the now-wet drying cloth, then moves to my legs.

Once I am fully rinsed off, he says, “You may want to step out now. I am about to drop my cloth and wash up.” He smiles wickedly. “Or don’t, if you want to see what’s hiding underneath,” he mutters playfully.

“No… I’m going!” I exclaim as I step out of the shower with the same swiftness of my heartbeat.

Lukene chuckles loudly. “You have a nightgown on my bed.”

With that I head back into his room, finding a black lacy nightgown sitting on his bed. I dress quickly then try to run my fingers through my hair to detangle some of the lavender knots. By the time I get them undone, Lukene steps out of the washroom, wearing his sleeping pants and nothing else.

Gods and goddesses, he will be the death of me. A grin crosses his face, as if he knows my thoughts. “Get in the bed, Reign. Try to get some sleep,” he demands, walking over to the fireplace and stoking the flames to life, like the desire inside of me

Climbing into his bed, I slip under the black blankets. He pulls a chair up, facing the bed, and sits in it. He leans his head back, legs stretched out in front of him, while thick arms relax on the armrests. The light from the fire casts a golden glow on his tan skin, accentuating his muscular chest. He resembles a glorious god sitting on his throne.

With a smoldering gaze, he holds my attention as his throat bobs with a loud swallow.

“Sleep, Reign. I’ll be right here.” His voice sounds almost desperate, like he’s on the verge of losing control.

I want to stay awake, to stare at the man before me. However, the crackling fire, the soft glow in the room, and the safety of the handsome man near me lull me into comfort. Sleep sneaks up on me, pulling me under into its dark embrace.

* * *

Jolting awake,I sit up in bed. Air escapes my lungs as I desperately try to take a breath. Sweat clings to my skin as I take in my surroundings and the bright green eyes staring at me.

Lukene sits on the edge of the bed, sleep still in his eyes. It was a nightmare—just a nightmare.

“You’re okay, Reign. It was just a bad dream. Everything is fine.” He rubs down the side of my face. “Try to get some sleep. I’m right here.” He stands to walk to the chair, but I pull his hand. He glances down at me, curiosity dancing in his eyes.

“Stay. Lie with me.” He looks at me like he is mulling over my words, contemplating.

“No expectations,” I say, a hint of a smile on my lips, throwing his own words back at him. He smiles widely, and I know I’ve won. Moving over in the bed, he slides in beside me.

We face each other; no words are spoken, but so much is exchanged in our glances. After a few moments, he breaks the silence. “So, what was the nightmare about?”

I briefly close my eyes and huff. “I dreamt that Elm died. He was in the entry room of the palace, and a Necrum killed him. But it was so odd; the Necrum had brown eyes instead of white.” My breathing quickens, matching my heart rate at the memory of the nightmare.

“It was just a dream, Reign. He’s safe. You’re safe. Get some sleep.”

Lukene begins to rub my arm in long, slow strokes. This feels right. He feels right. I feel like I just came home after a long time away. His scent envelops me, soothing almost as much as his touch.

Reaching out, I trail my hand down his cheek. I lean up and plant a feathery kiss on his lips. When I pull away, he grabs the back of my head and pulls me back in for another kiss. His tongue slips into my mouth.

This kiss is different. It’s not that hungry, desperate kiss he has given me before. It’s slow and tantalizing. He lazily lets his tongue explore my mouth, like he is trying to taste and memorize every part of it. After a moment, he pulls away. “Sleep my reckless Reign.”