His Forsaken Luna-Chapter 92: Pettiness

Morning sunlight seeped through the heavy curtains, filtering into a golden haze across the stone floor. I wasn’t ready to wake up—not yet. Wrapped in warmth, my head rested against Theo’s chest, the rhythmic rise and fall of his breathing calming my own frayed edges.

His arm curled protectively around me as if to guard me from the troubles that would no doubt crash through the door at any moment. And they did.

A firm knock jarred me awake.

"Idalia," Soren’s voice, deep and clipped, carried through the chamber door. I didn’t move. I wasn’t ready to face him—or anyone for that matter.

The knock came again, harder this time.

"Idalia, open up. It’s urgent."

Theo shifted beneath me, his voice sleep-soft. "Shall I see to it?"

I shook my head. "No." My voice was a whisper. I didn’t want to deal with Soren, but letting Theo answer the door would be worse. I knew Soren’s temper and his ability to read into every single detail.

Instead, I forced myself to pull away from Theo’s warmth and pad to the door, taking care to pull my robe tightly around me. I opened it just a slither, glaring through the crack.

Soren’s gaze narrowed as he looked me over. "Are you unwell? I knocked three times."

Were we really acting so normally after what happened yesterday?

Poisonous Butterfly... I sighed, the tension leaving my shoulders.

"I’m fine," I replied flatly, blocking his view of the room with my body. "What is it?"

"Deyanira requests your presence for tea this morning," he said, voice hard as iron. His gaze darted to the shadows behind me, suspicious as ever.

"Tea," I repeated as though the word were foreign. Of course, she wanted to see me.

"You’re expected within the hour," Soren continued. He leaned closer as if testing the air for secrets. He could smell Theo on me. "Are you alone?"

Before I could snap back, I heard the soft sound of bare feet behind me. Theo’s unmistakable presence filled the room as he appeared over my shoulder, his expression one of casual calm, though I knew better.

"Ida," Theo murmured. "Shall I prepare your bath?"

Soren’s jaw tensed. His gaze moved from me to Theo, and I didn’t miss the way his hand flexed at his side—a telltale sign of his displeasure.

I tilted my head toward him. "I will bathe first," I told Soren coolly before gesturing inside the chamber. "Feel free to wait here. The sofa is comfortable enough."

Soren hesitated, the muscles in his shoulders coiling as if he wanted to argue. But eventually, he stepped past me into the chamber and folded himself stiffly onto the sofa, his eyes never leaving Theo.

Theo, who was suddenly naked. He hadn’t been in bed! I smirk, aware of what Theo was doing. It was petty and not enough compared to the daggers thrown at my face, but Soren’s expressions, which were usually stoic, were quite the sight to see.

I turned on my heel and strode across the room to the wash closet, Theo trailing at my side. I could feel Soren’s stare burning into the back of my head, but I didn’t give him the satisfaction of looking back.

The door to the wash closet clicked shut behind us, and I let out the breath I’d been holding. The tension in the air was thick enough to choke on.

"He looks ready to rip me apart," Theo murmured, amusement dancing in his voice as he stepped forward to turn on the brass taps of the bath. Steam curled up as the water began to fill the tub.

"Let him," I muttered, shrugging off my robe and letting it pool at my feet. "He deserves it."

Theo’s lips quirked upward. "How very merciless of you."

I slid into the water with a soft sigh, the heat licking at my skin and easing the stiffness in my muscles. For a moment, I simply soaked in the stillness, my eyes fluttering shut. Outside the wash closet door, I imagined Soren sitting there, fuming silently. Good.

Theo knelt beside the tub and reached for the jar of fragrant oil. I opened one eye, watching him.

"What do you think you’re doing?" I asked though I didn’t stop him.

He didn’t look up as he poured the oil into his hands and warmed it between his palms. "Taking care of you, as always."

Before I could argue, Theo’s hands found my shoulders, kneading into the knots there with practised skill. My body softened beneath his touch. His thumbs pressed deep into the tense muscles of my back, working out the strain left behind by sleepless nights and constant vigilance.

A soft sound escaped my throat—half a sigh, half a moan.

Theo stilled for the briefest moment before continuing, his touch gentler now. "Tense this morning?" He didn’t know a possible traitor was sitting in the room behind us.

"You don’t say," I replied, though my voice was softer than I intended. The heat of the water and Theo’s hands combined into something dangerously close to comfort.

I knew exactly what Theo was doing. He wasn’t just tending to me; he was putting on a show. And part of me, the part that resented Soren’s very presence in my chambers, delighted in it.

The moan slipped out before I could stop it this time, quiet but unmistakable. I bit my lip, my cheeks flushing with heat.

From the other side of the wash closet door, I heard movement—a scrape of boots on the stone floor. My lips curled into a faint, wicked smile.

"Theo," I said, just loud enough for my voice to carry, "you missed a spot."

"My apologies," Theo replied, equally loud, though his tone remained dutiful. His hands slid lower, working along the curve of my back with slow precision.

If I listened hard enough, I could almost hear Soren grinding his teeth.

When I emerged from the wash closet, freshly bathed and wrapped in a clean robe, Soren was standing by the window, his back to me. His posture was rigid, his hands clasped behind him in that infuriatingly disciplined way of his.

"I hope you weren’t waiting too long," I said, feigning innocence as I crossed the room. Theo trailed behind me like a shadow, his expression neutral as ever.

Soren turned to face me, his jaw tight. "Long enough." His gaze flicked briefly to Theo before returning to me. "Are you ready?" 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Nearly," I replied. I moved to the vanity and began to plait my damp hair into place. "I assume Deyanira didn’t say what this little tea is about?"

"No." Soren’s voice was curt. "But I’d tread carefully, Your Highness. You know how she is."

"Oh, I know," I murmured, meeting his reflection in the mirror. "But I doubt she summoned me just to exchange pleasantries."

Theo appeared at my side, his hands reaching for the delicate chain of the necklace that lay on the vanity. He fastened it around my neck without a word, his fingers brushing against my skin. I didn’t miss the way Soren’s eyes darkened.

"You don’t have to come with me," I said, facing Soren fully. "I’m perfectly capable of handling a simple tea."

"You’ll forgive me if I don’t share your optimism," Soren replied, his tone cool. "I’m coming with you whether you like it or not."

I sighed, rolling my eyes. "Suit yourself."

As I swept past him, Theo fell into step behind me, his quiet presence a comfort. Soren lingered for a moment before following, his boots echoing against the stone.

"Just so you know," I say lightly over my shoulder. "Kharis will also be joining us."