CHAPTER FIVE CLEAN UP

Ophelia

The imposing walls of Deershell Village were meant to offer a sense of security but all it felt to me was being led into a cage.

The soldiers lead us through the sleeping town to the Inn where our reservation was made and I am ushered to a chamber where I could see Oxwell sleeping in the giant bed.

I sat on the edge of the bed and admired his peaceful face. All cleaned from a bath and as if the chaos that just happened never occurred. Trever checked the rooms. I could see a bath already drawn and steam rising from it in one of the rooms. His presence offered silent support.

I glided close to Trever, ensuring I stayed quiet as to not awake Oxwell.

“Would you like to bathe first?” I stood on my toes and whispered into his ear.

His cool complexion turned warm and he smiled at me, exposing his teeth.

“I believe the bath is only meant for one.” His hands were behind his back in a solider’s pose.

I couldn’t stop the blush.

“I am so sorry! I misread-'' Mortified, I bring my hands over my face to hide the embarrassment but Trever grabs them and leads me to the bathtub. Closing the door behind us with his foot.

He pulled up a wooden stool next to the tub.

I stood there. What was I thinking? He is doing his job and nothing more. I am just pathetic… what is he doing?

Trever began to slowly pull the strings of my ruined corset. Air filled my lungs. My knees started to shake as it fell to my feet. He sat on the stool and raised my leg and placed my foot on his knee as he proceeded to slide his fingers up my leg to remove the garter holding up my stocking.

He smiled at me. His stubbly face looks so kissable. I bit my lip to keep from saying something stupid.

Trever then slid his fingers up my leg. I giggled as a tickling sensation continued up my spine. Slowly, he began to remove my stockings. Pushing my shift away as he leaned his face forward giving me gentle kisses down my leg as the stockings were pushed off.

He put one leg back down and lifted the other. I just stood there. My head was feeling dizzy from his slight touch. His gentle caresses and his prickly lips kissing my soft skin.

Standing in just a shift, Trever pushed the stool back slightly and carefully removed my shift from over my head. I stood there before him.

Now completely naked. Trever winked at me and left the bathing chamber, shutting the door behind him.

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Obediently, I got into the tub. Disappointment rushed my body and as the water began to muddy from grime and blood, I couldn’t help but reach between my thighs, tracing my fingers up my stomach and down again–sending waves of sensations throughout my body.

Trever

I seated myself in the doorway of the sleeping chamber to best keep an eye on Ophelia and Oxwell. With a bucket and a rag, I began to clean myself as best as I could without fully getting naked. The warm water felt nice.

The room is dark as there was no fire lit in the fire place. All I could hear were the snores from Oxwell and the splashing sounds coming from the bathing chambers from Ophelia.

Oh Ophelia. My manhood twitched in her direction. It took everything in my will power to keep myself from getting into that bath with her. Her kind and gentle being.

It’s wrong of me to take advantage of such a naive girl. Emotions are high from the adrenaline. It means nothing.

It has to mean nothing. I am just a lowly orphan and she is a countess. Now head of her estate. Not that titles were anything I cared to take notice of before. Why does it bother me now? I have always flirted and she reciprocated. Was that all just play? Did it actually mean something to her as it meant to me?

There was a nock on the door.

Opening it just slightly to peer forward, I am met face to face with someone wearing mint green, amethyst, and black-the royal colors.

“Sire, might I suggest a different sleeping arrangement for you? It is improper for an unwed woman to be in such intimate company with a man.” He was glaring at me. We were around the same height but clearly of a different class.

“And who might you be?” I threatened.

“I am the personal escort of Duke Warlington. I am Prince Hun Batz, here to aid the Celik family to the palace first thing in the morning. Well.. here to aid what is left of the Celik family.” Prince Hun was smiling but his eyes were not showing signs of kindness.

“I don’t follow your orders. We will make formal introductions in the morning. For now,” I leaned into him, glaring and nearly snarling, “I suggest you find your own chambers to worry about.”

Prince Hun's smile reminded me of Count Celik when he was about to backstab a general. I kept my eyes on him as he walked down the hall and opened a door just a few feet away and entered.

Closing the chamber door behind me, I could now see Ophelia’s silhouette cuddling Oxwell’s. With both of them asleep, I pushed a trunk that was sent ahead during the arrangements in front of the main chamber door and placed an oil lamp atop it.

I am not future seer but there is something inside of me that it setting off all of my alarms. This whole trip feels too convenient. The demand of the Duke during a full moon. The attack. And now the personal escort from a prince?

Comfortable that would provide enough warning time for any break in, I started for the bathing chamber to take a much needed bath before the dreadful sun reminded me of my station and place in the morning.

Ophelia, my sweet charge. She had changed the water for me. It’s clear and flowery smells. Of course, the fire underneath the porcelain tub was not fully warmed yet as she just set it but it mattered not. I am used to bathing in the cool waters of rivers. There was a soft glow illuminating the stone walls from the tub. The waters and soap making me feel relaxed.

I could sense a pair of eyes on me. When I opened them, I could see Ophelia standing there in a tunic that reached her knees. Her hair was braided down the back of her neck and she slowly pulled the wooden stool around to my shoulders where she grabbed a rag and began to bathe me. Never before have I felt so vulnerable and relaxed as I do at the hands of Ophelia.

“You don’t need to–” I felt ashamed. I am not worth her gentle kindness or concern.

She placed a soft finger to my lips and began to silently hum a lullaby as she continued to wash me.