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My sword clangs harshly against the Ghost's, finally hitting it out of his hold sending it flying to the ground.
He swears under his breath before grabbing his sword up from the ground. "You'll need to find a new sparring partner soon, you're getting to good for me."
I grin widely at him. "Don't cut yourself short, you still take me by the occasional surprise, look at how long this practice has lasted." I gesture at the sun beginning to rise, signaling the wild fey of their long lasting revels and the calmer to head to bed.
"Ah, yes." He takes a deep bow. "Enjoy your rest, your Majesty."
I snort at his mockery and begin to head off back towards the castle, a warm bath and an even warmer bed in mind.
———
The guards stationed at the royal chambers nod to me as I enter.
It is unsettling quiet in the room, at most Cardan would be sitting on one of the many couches in the parlor, reading or eating, waiting for me.
Shrugging off my cloak and kicking my shoes away, I hurry up the carpeted double step into our bed chamber.
Slipping carefully through the large oak door, the first thing I see is our large bed and a lump in the middle. Stepping silently forward till I reach the lump, familiar dark hair peaks from under the coverlets.
I smile and pull the blanket away gently, Cardans sleeping face scrunching slightly from the change.
My smile widens as I slowly run my fingers through his ridiculously soft hair, bringing my face closer to his, I smell the familiar woodsy sweet scent his skin seems to naturally emit, then kiss him gently before pulling away to take my bath.
I sadly do not smell as sweet after hours of sparring.
The bathroom is a large space, mostly taken up by the tub, with wooden floors and a window on the far edge looking over a flower field with the sun currently streaming in.
A bath has been prepared and is still so hot streams of smoke come off, scented with vanilla and coconut, the tub is inviting enough I practically fall in after ridding myself of my sweat ridden clothing.
The water wraps around me when I sink deep into it, soaking myself entirely.
I let myself rejoice in the way the water seems to calm my muscles and relax my limbs before reaching for my soap.
Except another hand has beat me there.
My eyes jump open only to see my still sleepy husband staring back, his grin lazily and eyes adoring.
And naked. Of course.
"It's getting concerning I see you undressed more than dressed." My smile is teasing and his widens.
"Don't act as though you don't love it, make me some room."
The tub is overly large, enough for five, but I see what he means and scoot forward as he slips in directly behind me, pulling me back to his chest as he holds me gently, cupping water and pouring it over my shoulders.
My head falls back against his shoulders while his lips find my temples, kissing down my face. "You were out late today."
"I had quite the practice."
His kisses fall down to my neck. "Did you?"
I hum softly, to caught up in his lips on me to speak coherently.
Cardan seems to realize this and continues his gentle working on my neck while grabbing the soap and cleaning my skin soothingly.
It is in these moments I can truly feel his love for me, not just through his words which are forever honest, but with how he holds me and cares for me. His love shows through his touch.
Cardans hands slip over and under my arms, making sure to rub the dirt away, before his hands drift down my stomach.
My breath hitches but Cardans movement never cease, scrubbing soap over my breast and ribs gently, then leaning me forward to rub my back.
"You should do this everyday." My back is against his chest again and I can't seem to be able to lift my head from his shoulder anymore. His laughs echos against me. "I'd love too."
"Careful, I hold you to that." I feel his smile against my cheek when he kisses me quickly before floating away to the opposite end of the tub.
I'm surprised till I see the wicked grin crossing his face as he yanks my ankle up and over his shoulder, pulling me deeper into the water but thankfully not under.
I glare at him but my annoyance quickly deflates when I feel his hand run over calf and then onto my thigh, slipping all the way to my hip bone with the soap before retracing back to my ankle, washing my feet soothingly.
I practically moan at the way his thumbs massage into the heel of my foot.
Cardan rinses my leg in the water before switching for my other one and continuing the same ministrations.
My leg doesn't feel like my own as his fingers press into me, my muscle relax and my whole body seems to settle into his touch.
If I didn't trust him so much I'd be terrified of the effect he has over me.
Cardan slips back behind me so I'm laying against his chest once again. "Close your eyes." My eyes shut tightly as he pours warm water over my hair from the pitcher near by.
I hear him pour my shampoo in his hand before he dips his fingers into my hair, massaging my scalp. I hum softly, leaning back towards him.
After rinsing my hair over again, Cardan applies the conditioner into my hair and grabs my comb to brush out each tangle smoothly.
His hands are ever gentle while he simultaneously brushes my hair through with his fingers and my comb till my hair is clean.
Cardan then steps out of the tub, drying himself off first, before reaching my towel out for me and wrapping me in it once I stand.
"Gonna dry me off too?"
He grins and reaches for me but I jump away laughing, rushing off to the closet in the bed chamber.
Cardan may like sleeping naked but I prefer at least some coverage.
The closet in the royal bedroom is exceedingly large, one half mine and the other Cardans with many shelf's and compartments for shoes and accessories, the center half that separates mine and Cardans space is occupied with a large mirror framed with carvings of dancing folk and mortals.
I slip over to Cardans half and steal my favorite black shirt of his to wear to bed.
When I walk out of the closet Cardan has already blown out all of the candles, except for the one on my bedside table, and gotten in bed.
I jump in beside him, blowing out my candle while he pulls me to him as close as we can get, our legs tangle and my hands find his hair while his rub my back soothingly.
Cardan brings his lips to mine, kissing me gently before pulling back. "You taste like soap."
"Do you hate it?"
"Never."
His lips find mine again.