Filed To Story: Traded To The Lycan King Novel (Colette & Merikh) by MG Wattsons
“Now is not the best time,”
“Why not?” I ask, placing all my weight on my good leg.
“I am about to clean his wounds and he-“
“I will do it,” I say, piping up.
“Uh, I don’t think that is really a good-“
“I know how to clean a wound and re-bandage. You have been with him all night. I promise to take care of him.”
A smile creeps along his lips as he nods his head and looks over his shoulder.
“You know what? You make a fair point. I am tired and if you truly feel up to it, then why not?” He steps back, gesturing for me to enter the room. Then he points to the corner. “The herbs are there, but you will need to scrub the wounds with that special cream colored scrub before “Scrub?” I ask, my brows shooting into my hairline.
“Yes, he is in the healing waters,”
“Healing waters?” I ask as he giddily pushes past me. He spins on his heels, taking a few steps backward with a cheery grin.
“It’s like a large hot tub with herbs.”
“Hot tub…” I repeat and he laughs.
“A bath, Luna. He is in a large bath,”
“Woah, wait!” I holler after him as he rushes away, leaving me in the doorway as a pained grunt comes from my back. I close my eyes, my stomach twisting in painful knots as I take three deep, calming breath I step into the steamy room, closing the door behind me as I inhale the fragrant air. The room is silent aside from the heavy breathing coming from Merikh as I move closer. The air swirls, and my breathing hitch “Colette… What are you doing here?” he rasps, standing and walking toward me. I reach over, taking hold of the sponge thing Hayes pointed out. I clutch it to my chest and hobble to him.
“I’m here to help,” I announce, with a squeak. He arches a brow before wincing and grunting.
“You’re going to have to get in here with me if you plan to help. Are you okay with that?”
“Mm hmm…” I nod, lying. “Totally okay with that.”
I am not okay with this, I am not okay with this. I AM NOT OKAY WITH THIS.
My insides are screaming, the nerves fueled by the anxiety of what lays below the waterline that is nibbling at Merikh’s waist. He moves closer to me, each step measured and eliciting a pained noise from him “I am teasing, Colette. I can manage this on my own.” He says with a concerned look. “There is no need for you to stress yourself.”
I snap my eyes to meet his and I see he is serious, his hand extending to take the sponge from me. I scowl and hold it tighter. No, I can do this. I don’t fight, because I was too weak to train. I do nothing of my a “Could you come and sit on the edge? Maybe there are some stairs…?” I ask hopeful, and he tilts his head to the side.
“The water will be helpful for your leg. You could come in as well.” He says like being n*ked with him isn’t easily the most insane idea I have ever heard. He must see the shock and horror on my face as he smiles. “You can keep your undergarments on. I am in no condition to try anything.”
“I don’t know how to do that with this thing on my leg.” I point to the wooden brace still tied to my leg, and he moves closer, stepping up and revealing more of his lower torso without showing me everything. Pa off the marble walls as my heart thuds in my ears.
“You do not have to. I won’t force it on you, but it would be good for your healing.” He sounds almost convincing. I peek over my shoulder, opening one eye only to find him watching me with a color of amusem Even pale and a little green in the face, he is more attractive than any male has the right to be. I frown but inch my way over to him, where he stands at the edge.
I think it would be best if you soak and I bandage you when you are ready.”
“Come,” he sighs, sounding like he is struggling with pain, or just patience. I can’t quite tell either, though they seem like they could both be fueling each other. “I’ve soaked for long enough.”
Merikh takes another step up and I find myself shrouded in darkness as my eyes and lips squeeze together in an effort not to spy him n*ked. There is a rustling sound and after a moment of only being able to h fingers teasing my chin and I allow my eyes to open.
He tilts my face up, his eyes meeting mine as he stares into my being. My heart pounds in my ears, my lungs struggling to keep up with the steam and, well…
him being this close. I lick my lips and his eyes flash black for a moment before he winces again, and stumbles back a step. I reach out, afraid he might fall, and I wrap my arms around his waist in panic. His b* “I need you to be lower if I have to clean out your wounds.” I whisper, feeling parched for water.
His eyes lock on mine as he lowers down to his knees. He gently plucks the sponge from my hand and leans over, dragging it through the water before handing it back to me. Then he twists, exposing his back black veins stemming from two angry red spots near his shoulder blades.
“This will probably hurt,” I inform him and he nods, his muscles tense as he readies himself.
“Talk to me?” He grunts as I press the sponge to his wound. “Distract my mind.”
“I don’t know what to say,” I admit, and he flinches away before settling with a shudder.
“Anything will do, Colette.” he grits out, “Your favorite color, what you like to eat. Say whatever comes to mind.”
“How were they able to poison you?” I ask curiously, pressing harder as I drag the herbal scrub over his bite mark. He quivers and grunts in pain.
“They poisoned themselves,” he says after a sharp inhale. I freeze for a moment, remembering the red eyes of the man who stood over me. I had thought I imagined it, but maybe that was real. Perhaps I was looking at a poisoned werewolf.
“Is that why their eyes were red?” I ask curiously, dragging the scrub down once more. He pauses, looking over his shoulder at me and frowning.
“You noticed that?” He asks curiously.
“Yes.” I shrug.
He hums in discontent, looking forward again. “Their eyes were red for another reason.” He says simply.