Captive of the Horde King (Horde Kings Of Dakkar #1) - Zoey Draven Page 0,51
when Arokan ducked inside, they inclined their heads in respect and promptly left. I frowned after them, wondering why everyone seemed so somber that day.
Not that I had much time to wonder. Arokan looked fresh from the training grounds and he walked over to the bath that was still set up in the corner from earlier that morning, undressing as he went. I swallowed, watching him unclothe that glorious body, before I forced myself to clear my throat.
Though my bath water had to be cool by that point, Arokan dropped himself in and began to wash quickly.
“What will happen today?” I asked, still seated on the cushion at the table, the remnants of my breakfast laid out before me. I could already tell that I was putting on much-needed weight from the food. Regular meals would do that to anyone.
Arokan glanced over at me, those eyes pinning me in place. My cheeks felt hot as he looked at me. Last night had been…confusing. We’d actually talked without having a fight and it had been oddly comfortable. He’d even laughed at one point.
Though that morning, he seemed returned to his Vorakkar state—detached, a little cold, though those eyes ran hot when he looked at me.
I watched him scrub his arms and his chest. Finally, he said, “There will be a trial today.”
For the scout, I knew.
A trial. That didn’t sound so bad.
“You will need to uncover your wrists,” he said next, water splashing as he rinsed himself with cupped hands.
I looked down at the wraps around my golden tattoos. Lavi had helped me change them that morning.
“Do they still ache?” he asked once he stood from the tub after the quickest bath in history.
“Not much,” I replied, not wanting him to know that they were still tender.
Arokan dried himself off while I kept my gaze averted. He approached, still naked, and he crouched down in front of me, his tail flicking behind him.
Desperately, I tried not to look at his half-hardened cock between his thighs and met his eyes instead. His gaze was on my wrists and he took my hands before gently unwrapping the cloth that shielded the markings from sight.
The swelling was going down at least, though the flesh around the tattoos was still reddened. Arokan got up, retrieved the clear salve from his drawers, and returned. And then, with a surprisingly soft touch, he spread more salve over the healing skin. It felt good and cool. His hands on me felt even better.
“Hukan was rougher than she needed to be,” he admitted softly.
My eyes darted up to his, but he wasn’t looking at me. I didn’t know what to say to that without revealing what Mirari had told me.
“She will be rough with you for a while,” he said next, finally meeting my eyes. “Until she knows that you are strong.”
“And if I’m not strong enough?” I couldn’t help but ask, the insecurities that Hukan had brought up in her tent rising.
“You are,” was all he said. “Regardless, I will speak with her.”
“Please don’t,” I whispered, catching his wrist, my hand brushing against his golden cuff. “I can handle it.”
Arokan studied me before he finally nodded. “Very well.” He stood from his crouched position and my hand fell away from his wrist. “I have something for you.”
Curious, I watched him walk over to the chests filled with jewels and gold and—more than likely—night shifts for females.
My lips pressed together when he pulled out a necklace. A beautiful gold chain necklace and from it hung a pendant. A massive teardrop-shaped blood-red jewel that twinkled when the light hit it.
I’d never seen anything so beautiful but my mood dampened when I saw it. Because I knew those were the chests meant for his females, both past, present, and future lovers. It didn’t matter that I was his queen now. A Dakkari horde king would have concubines, without a doubt.
The jealousy surprised me. It was hot and cutting and I didn’t have any right to feel it. I shouldn’t feel it. Shouldn’t I be happy that he directed his amorous attentions elsewhere?
I stood slowly and he clasped it easily around my neck. It was as heavy as it looked and I felt that heaviness, that jealousy, settling in the valley of my breasts like a boulder.
“It’s beautiful,” I said softly, not quite meeting his eyes.
Arokan touched the jewel. I felt the heat of his hand warm it, like it was a living thing, and my breath went shallow.