Lady In Red

55

Xerxes watched the maid leave hastily and closed the door behind her. He leaned back on the couch, his one hand over the head of it and the other on his knees. Staring at the mantle, his head in his thoughts. He heard Ruby move, the rustling of the blanket and her soft sniff had him up on his feet. Taking off his belt and trousers for better comfort. Pushing his hair out and pulling back the curtain, he saw his baby sleeping, her body facing away from him.

His heart felt like it was bubbling with a deep obsession with touching and feeling her under him. He could feel her delicate arms, silky smooth hair, and the way her blanket, even though thick, dipped down at her waist. Just thinking about how warm she might be made him happy.

The Lycan species were built to withstand cold temperatures, considering they were part werewolves. However, the temperatures near the castle, which stood tall and high up in the mountains, would sometimes go below freezing, even during summer. After the three humans entered his castle, he wondered why there was an increasing need for coal. After seeing Ruby, he made a mental note to supply more of it to the other two.

He stared at her peaceful body before pulling the curtains back and laying down in her warm bed, letting the curtains fall back to cover the bed. His hand pulled down her blanket just a bit to touch her under her breasts and pull her closer. She whined in her sleepy state as he got under the bedsheet. His beast finally got some peace, feeling her skin touch his, even with her light cotton gown. She breathed in and out deeply as he slowly put on hand under his head and the other still under her chest. Tight enough but not too tight.

He couldn't sleep. Staring at her for what felt like hours until the cries of wolves out in the distance from the snow-covered mountains fell on their ears. Xerxes snapped his eyes at the window, knowing that it was a bad brawl. Something wasn't right. His jaw locked in, contemplating whether to send his guards into those woods. But the tiny body jerking awake under him said otherwise.

Those weren't just howl. There were cries of help and serious fights. So loud it rang and echoed through the castle ground.

Ruby opened her eyes in fear, trying to get up but he brought her back in his arms.

"It's nothing. Go back to sleep." His whisper shocked her, her heart almost leaped out of her chest, and if it weren't for his hand around her, she would've jumped out of bed.

Ruby had red tainted over her cheeks in no time as he pressed himself to her. His hot arms and body made her relax. Her stomach felt better, feeling that heat on her. Her lower back, which was aching badly, is now a bit better since it had been pressed against that heating torso.

The howls and cries continued causing her worry. An unknown fear settled at the pit of her stomach but the King's motion distracted her. He let go of her, the cold filling the area his hand of pressed against. He reached out to the bell next to the bed pulling it before leaning back and waiting. She didn't move. She expected him to leave. Perhaps it was a matter that needed his attention.

Within minutes they heard a knock on the door before it opened. He left her bed, to her disappointment. She stayed still feeling cold air rush around her again. Her eyes suddenly frown wanting his touch back. Ruby knew it was a game of her mind. Her emotions were always on high during her monthly red baths. Laughing at her own words in her head, but laying there in sadness. She could only eavesdrop on their conversation.

From the voice, it was Andrew who had come in.

"Send our men up there, see if it's related to the north pass situation. I don't want any more bodies on my grounds. Take Beau, will help you track them."

"I'll report on it in the morning," Andrew said, quite causally as she remembered. Perhaps the years of being together had them set a comfortable tone with each other eventually, as she remembered, every other man and woman in this castle had spoken to him in a strict tone. Never casual.

She felt his body create a dip in the bed, and she dared turn to look at him. His eyes gleamed, although there was no light source. It scared her a little. His silhouette was too large to ignore. His eyes always felt predatory. She felt her stomach flip inside down as he wrapped his hand around her pulling her closer. His face in the crook of her neck, breathing in heavily. She couldn't help but want him more.

Good Lord I am bleeding between my legs yet I want him inside me. The perverted mind I have.

"How do you feel?" He asked. His breath tickled her neck making her almost moan.

"F-Fine" was the only word she could choke out as her mind was drowning in thoughts of his body touching hers.

"Does your stomach hurt?" He asked.

She gasps as he touches her stomach, not completely, his hand rests just below her stomach folds. Right where the pain was sticking her constantly. She breathed out in relief and happiness feeling the hot hand over her skin.

His eyes were staring right at her beautiful face. He noticed how she relaxed and how her body suddenly stopped shivering under him.

He didn't need an answer. Ruby couldn't help but love his light kisses over her neck. Her ear, her hair. How he rubbed his hand over her lower belly. She was quite literally in heaven. Warm and cozy in the man's, arms which was she slowly getting obsessed with.

She couldn't help but remember how cold and lonely she had been feeling in this castle. How privileged and comfortable her life was back home. No expectations. No enemies. Nobody hated her or tried to kill her.

Even the King had been unpredictable. What he did to those hundreds of people. The blood bath. She never wanted to be a part of something that heinous.

Even now. She wouldn't if she ever did something to make him angry. What would he do? Would he make her life a living hell?

Pushing those thoughts aside she found comfort in sleeping beside him.

"Ruby."

She opened her eyes tilting her head just a bit to see him.

"Do you let Fredrick in your chambers?"

Her heart dropped. Her face suddenly in a deep frown.

"What?"

What ? what did he mean by that? Why such a random question?

His hand continued rubbing circles over her belly instead of answering her. His eyes only on her body, not her eyes. As If he was avoiding her gaze.

"Answer me."

She gulped turning to lay on her back. About to get up but his hand pushed her back down. His one palm was enough to push her entire torso down.

"I only let him in when I am decent. He rarely asks for my audience in my chambers unless he is escorting him. We always talk in my library. "

The silence made it worse for her. She wanted to let him, Fred was a dear friend. Like a brother. But she didn't.

"I do not want him in our chambers unless it is absolutely, necessary. You can talk in your parlor or library. Not here."

Does he doubt me? Does he think I would ever even think about doing something like that?

"Your Majesty-" She paused as he stopped rubbing his thumb over her stomach. He didn't respond.