Bloodbound to the Beastly King

Adina was done with her work now, well, at least the little she could do outside of Thorne, seeing as her work was centered around him.

The scent of fresh eucalyptus and warm steam curled through the air as Adina stepped into the bathing room. The sound of water lapping gently against the walls was almost hypnotic.

Two palace maids stood outside the bathroom, while she could see one inside. Adina inhaled, tucked a damp curl behind her ear, then cleared her throat softly.

"I'll take over from here," she said, trying to sound more confident than she felt.

The girls looked at her, brows raised. "You'll bathe him?" they asked.

Adina nodded, "It's my job. I'll do it," she said.

The girls stared at her like she had grown two heads, but they nodded. No one wanted extra work, and they all took whatever breaks they could whenever. Adina watched them quietly step out of the room.

Then she inhaled deeply and quietly stepped into the bathroom. The maid was about to start washing him when she saw her.

"I'll do it. You can stay outside," she mouthed, feeling more confident than usual.

The girl quirked her brows but she didn't argue. She nodded and made her way out of the bathroom.

She waited until the door closed behind the girl, leaving only the sound of gently rippling water and her thundering heartbeat.

Swallowing, Adina turned toward the large tub.

A cloud of steam filled the air, blurring the details of the man lounging inside. But even through the haze, he was unmistakable. Thorne sat in the bath like a painting come to life—his arms draped along the edges, head tilted back, eyes closed. His chest glistened with droplets of water, and the sharp lines of his muscles were relaxed for once, his entire body firm, sculpted to perfection.

Adina's breath caught.

She hesitated for a second, then quietly made her way to the small wooden bench, dipping a bowl into the hot water. She reached for the sponge and the lavender-scented soap, trying to steady her shaking hands.

But the moment she stepped closer to the tub, his nose twitched slightly, a small smirk made its way to his lips, but she didn't notice—no, she was too busy trying to calm her heart that seemed like it was going to fly right out of her chest.

She bit her lip and she slid the soap down his shoulder, the sponge dragging slowly across his wet skin.

She was careful, gentle. But the moment the sponge touched him, his eyes fluttered open.

Adina froze.

His eyes—those piercing stormy eyes—locked onto her immediately, and she forgot how to breathe. They were so close that she could feel his hot breath against her face, she could see the light scar that ran down his cheek. It was a scar, but it only enhanced his beauty.

"M-my king," she stammered.

"I knew it was you the moment you stepped in," he muttered as he licked his lips, running his gaze over her, licking his lips like she was his next meal.

Adina barely had time to gasp before his hand shot out of the water and wrapped around her wrist.

"Thorne," she shrieked, but it was too late, he pulled her into the water.

With one swift pull, she fell forward. The water swallowed her whole.

She came up sputtering, soaked and wide-eyed, her now-transparent dress clinging tightly to her skin. Her curls hung wet and heavy around her face, and her hands splashed blindly in front of her, searching for balance.

"You pulled me in," she accused breathlessly, glaring at him through the dripping strands of hair.

"I did," he said calmly.

His voice was calm, like he hadn't just yanked her into a tub fully clothed. Like she wasn't now sitting soaked in front of him, dress clinging to every inch of her, pulse thundering in her ears.

"W-why?" she stammered, her heart racing when she saw him staring at her so… shamelessly.

Wow. The king is really shameless, she thought to herself.

He didn't answer. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, eyes raking over her with lazy interest. Her soaked dress was practically see-through now, and from the way his jaw flexed, he saw it too.

Adina flushed scarlet and instinctively tried to scoot back—but her foot slipped against the tub, and suddenly he was moving toward her.

Her heart stuttered.

"Y-your majesty," she stammered.

He was already closing the distance, the water sliding off his chest with every step. Adina backed away instinctively, until her back hit the tub. She froze as soon as her back hit. There was no escaping him.

Thorne didn't stop.

His frame was huge, towering, half-submerged, soaked, slick, and impossibly gorgeous. His body blocked the light, blocked the steam, till it was just him.

Her breath hitched as his hand slid around her waist, pulling her much closer to him.

Adina gasped, her eyes flying up to his face, his eyes as dark as the soul of the devil… yet he looked at her like she was his salvation. Adina gulped hard, feeling her stomach twist in knots.

The look was foreign. No one had ever looked at her in such a way… she found out that she loved it. The thought of him staring at her like she was the only one that mattered. She truly loved it. Perhaps, she was just as shameless as the king.

He didn't say a word. Just pulled her flush against him, every hard inch of him meeting her softness.

"Thorne—"

"You were already wet," he murmured, his voice low and dangerous, "what difference does it make now?"

Was she better before? She didn't know anymore. Her brain felt like it was a puddle now. Every time he neared her like this, every time he held her. Her mind was always left blank with only his thoughts filling her head.

Perhaps, she was even more shameless than him.

Adina's whole body trembled. Her hands had instinctively come to rest on his very firm chest. She could feel the beat of his heart.

Thorne licked his lips, his gaze flickering down to her now parted lips. He leaned in just a little, his breath fanning against her cheeks.

Adina closed her eyes, his lips were just about grazing hers when they heard it.

"Your majesty. Beta Caelum asked me to bring the motion herbs to you. Shall I bring it in?" a timid voice said from outside.

Adina gasped and immediately jumped away from Thorne's grasp.

That was so close.

Thorne chuckled lowly as he turned. "Leave it there and leave," he ordered.

Adina waited until the footsteps faded away and then she sprang out of the tub, sprinting out like her life depended on it.

Thorne, on the other hand, chuckled seeing her run out of the bathroom wet.

He ran his fingers through his hair, groaning slightly. Adina was messing with his head, and he didn't know just how much control he had in him.