Under the vampire Lord's protection-Chapter 606: Just blissful

It was Silas that took the crown off her head once in their bedroom before placing it upon a soft cushion they dedicated to it.

For a moment the two of them just stood facing each other, gazing into each other’s eyes in complete silence until Silas decided to break that cozy rhythm.

He leaned in and placed the softest of kisses on her forehead. It was done in such a slow manner that the man almost seemed hesitant to take the action.

As Arabella did not protest or flinch, his lips remained against her skin for a good moment.

"Will you take a bath?" he finally stood back to resume the eye contact between them.

"I believe it’s a must, yes. After a night such as tonight," her smile was meek but warm nonetheless, "Only... You may not feel comfortable sharing the tub with me tonight especially," she bit down on her bottom lip.

Silas refused to let go of her, his arms wrapped around her middle, keeping them chest to chest with each other.

His eyes were the only part of him that moved downward, "I am not bothered by it in the slightest. You tell me if you are alright sitting under water in your condition,"

"It’s nearly my fourth day," she gave him a little nod, "My blood is no longer flowing strongly. It should not be a bother,"

"How are you feeling?" he murmured.

The young woman took a moment to consider his words, "I feel quite alright...," she hummed at the end of her answer.

Quite alright was a good enough answer to her at least.

Her heart did not batter her chest or rise to her throat. Her stomach did not churn empty air, sending bitter bile up to her mouth.

It was all just peaceful, warm and most importantly safe. Not a single urge to run away from him or hide overcame her...

Instead, what did overwhelm her was the unbeatable need to smile brighter at him, "In fact, I feel just warm and dandy. It’s like I am floating on the softest of clouds,"

"I do like the sound of that," he nodded while smiling back.

Silas finally let go of her middle to take her hand and lead her towards the bathroom.

The man started the water tap and threw some bubble soap in the tub before moving back towards his wife.

Arabella knew what to expect and immediately turned around, allowing him access to the ribbons and clamps holding her gown together.

Once again, when their skin came into direct contact with each other, Arabella did not flinch or hold her breath. Though her heart did skip a little beat.

She did have the courage to slowly turn around and face him upon shedding every layer that once covered her body.

His hand guided her to the tub before focusing on disrobing him and that time around, her gemstones did not shy away, following every second of the show, every familiar inch of himself he revealed. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

A few thoughts raced to mind as some voices spoke louder in the privacy of her head, but the loudest being the one to scream that his scent that she so loved to inhale was not the only thing to call home in him.

When Silas joined her, he did so ever so carefully as though ready for a brisk reaction from her, but none of that was.

Arabella did not squeeze the edges of the tub, did not hyperventilate to save her lungs and she certainly did not attempt to leap out of it.

"Are you sitting comfortably?" he whispered the moment her back lay upon his chest.

In response, she hummed a yes then asked, "Are you?"

"Very,"

All that was left to do was to shut her eyes and bask in the warm water that sweet talked her muscles into relaxing, thus melting in his hold.

"Is your body still sensitive to touch?" his hand faintly grazed her breasts.

"They’re still a little sore, yes," she groaned.

"Noted," a muffled chuckle escaped him, but he did not stop there, "You are... Not afraid," he half asked.

Arabella shook her head, rubbing the back of it against his chest, "Not a bit," after a deep breath, she added, "I feel at total peace. In fact, tonight is quite different,"

"How come?"

"I feel much lighter than I did yesterday," she smiled, eyes still shut.

"That is understandable since yesterday your mind was preoccupied with the subject of tonight’s meeting but with that gone... Well,"

"True that,"

"You are safe," his arms tightened a little around her middle.

"Oh, I know," her hair rubbed against his chest that time around as well when she nodded, "It is so foreign and yet so familiar at the same time,"

"What is?"

"This feeling," her hand went around his arm, "I mean, I did feel safe before but tonight, I believe I’ve finally reached a level of true safety and peace. There will, of course, always be something or someone I worry about, but this is... Just blissful. I could sit here for hours,"

"I would not advise sitting in a tub full of water for hours on end but I do understand you," Silas allowed his chin to rest on top of her head, "I assume the funeral is still on your mind," he half asked.

"Of course it is," her tone barely shifted, "It’s still a whole day from now. I feel as though I have all the time in the world to prepare myself,"

"I do not wish to ruin the moment, but I must ask about Arthur," his fingers climbed up her arm until reaching her shoulder, "Will he be staying with your grandfather or return here with us after the funeral?"

She sighed first, "I frankly do not know what would best suit his current condition. I am not sure whether leaving him there alone is the right thing to do. Especially since I remain conflicted on the memories in that house. I can only imagine what must be going through his mind or what will upon setting foot under that roof again,"