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“If you say so.”His husband smiled, and a teasing look entered his eyes.“I’ll allow Mery time to examine me if you’ll do as I ask. That’s almost as good as relaxing, right?”

It wasn’t at all, but it was the best Mehl was going to get.“Fine.”

A rustle of fabric drew his attention to the two women. The healer straightened with a decidedly relieved expression, and Ria still appeared calm and unharmed. Good news, then?

“All is well,” Mery said. “I healed the scratch on Her Highness’s arm and checked on the babe. It is early yet, so I was surprised by the child’s vitality. Whatever magic you did certainly caused no harm.”

Though relief eased some of Mehl’s tension, it was Toren who sagged in his seat as though his muscles had lost all strength. “Thank the gods,” his husband said. “To help the kingdom, Ria channeled a great deal of my energy. I’ve been immensely concerned ever since.”

“Is that why your energy seems low, Your Majesty?” Mery asked politely. “I would be happy to assist you with rejuvenation.”

“If you’ll heal Mehl’s arm, then certainly.” Toren turned a pointed—and self-satisfied—look Mehl’s way. “He’s promised to go rest with Ria after that.”

How did his husband always get his way with such ease? Shaking his head in bemusement, Mehl held his arm out without arguing, though the cut was minor enough that he wouldn’t have bothered to see a healer for it. But there was no point in remaining injured with Mery standing right there. In moments, the gash was gone, and he was able to help Ria to her feet without a hint of pain.

“Let’s go wash off this dried blood,” he murmured by her ear.

Ria frowned. “But Toren—”

“Has crucial work to do before he can join us,” he interrupted just as Feref strode through the door with a stack of papers. Mehl switched to telepathy to finish the rest.“The line of succession, remember? He’s all but ordered us to go relax while he writes that part out.”

Although her frown didn’t ease, she nodded, and together they retreated to the dressing room to remove their stained clothes. While he unpinned the braids securing his crown, Ria used a quick spell to remove the blood from her dress. Then she just stood there—completely naked—and stared at the cheerful yellow fabric.

Mehl slipped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, her presence soothing and inflaming him in equal measure. “Was there something the healer didn’t tell us? Are you not feeling well?”

She rested her head back against his chest. “She told you truly. But I’m weary. Not exactly physically, I think. I’m…not sure how to describe it.”

“Ah. I believe I understand.” Softly, Mehl pressed a kiss to the side of her neck, and at the feel of his lips against her skin, his cock went semi-hard.Not now. Focus.“Mental exhaustion is common in times of great stress and prolonged worry, both of which we’ve had lately.”

Ria let out a little chuckle-huff. “Are you a healer now?”

“No, a warrior.” Mehl had to resist the sudden urge to run his tongue up her neck, but he couldn’t stop himself from nuzzling against the vee of her shoulder. “It’s a common problem in sustained wars, so it’s something we’re trained to recognize. Once the conflict is over, it’s crucial to dispel the tension.”

“Is that so?” She wiggled against him. “Is that why Toren suggested we bathe?”

Had there been an insinuation in the way her tongue curved around the word “bathe?” Mehl groaned as he went completely hard. He’d had no thoughts beyond cleansing, but her words combined with the feel of her nestled warm and soft against him…

This time, her laugh was full—and teasing. “Come on, Mehl. After we shower ourselves clean, you can show me how to relieve tension. Maybe Toren will be able to join us before we’re done.”

Adjusting himself, Mehl followed her to the bathing chamber with a decidedly awkward step.

Chapter68

Interlude

Ria stepped out of the spray of water and admired the sight of Mehl tipping his head back to rinse the soap from his hair. Suds rolled down the corded muscles of his arms and caressed the hard lines of his chest all the way down to his semi-erect cock. Probably down his legs, too, but her gaze didn’t make it that far.

Her dedication was rewarded when he hardened fully.

“Ria,” Mehl groaned. “If you keep staring at me like that, we won’t make it to the soaking pool.”

Did they need to? Her hot, sensitive skin prickled with desire, and the ache between her thighs built into longing. But he simply stood there, staring down at her through slitted eyes. If he didn’t touch her soon, she would go mad. Unless she acted first, of course. Before he realized her intent, she wrapped her hand around his cock, stroking from base to tip.

Then she let him go.

His breath hissed out. “Ria…”

“We’re both clean now. You promised me relief for my tension after we bathed, didn’t you?” She slid her arms around his neck and rubbed her body against his. “It seems I’m really tense. Should I go find my own ease?”