Chapter 12
“Did you cry all night?”
Tears newly forming, tears already shed—Leofric brushed them away from his wife’s face with his fingertips.
“No, I….”
Godiva didn’t know what to say. Hearing his voice again, meeting those silver eyes again, her heart felt too full. In the end, she could only cry.
“And where did all that courage from yesterday go?”
She forgot whatever she had meant to say. Grateful beyond words for his recovery, she buried her face in his hand.
“You called me.”
Leofric’s lips curved faintly. His silver gaze softened, weighted by her nearness.
“Huh….”
“Endlessly. Desperately.”
Her golden hair caught between his fingers; he gathered a handful of its softness.
“Ah….”
Leofric lifted Godiva’s tear-soaked face and pressed his lips to her damp lashes.
“Thank you.”
It should have been she who thanked him. But her swollen tongue would not form words; tears filled her mouth as well as her eyes. She could only shake her head helplessly.
“Come here….”
He pulled her gently up onto the bed. The movement tugged at his wound, sending a sharp ache across his chest, but he ignored it and wrapped his left arm around her small body.
“Leofric….”
“It’s all right.”
“If the wound opens—”
“I’ll only hold you like this. Don’t worry.”
He felt a pang of guilt that she had suffered so much because of him. His eyes narrowed slightly.
“Godiva, close your eyes.”
He buried his face in her hair. Breathing in her familiar scent, he closed his eyes as well.
“Don’t think. Just sleep.”
“Leo….”
“Hurry.”
The faint smell of bitter medicine lingered in the air, along with the sharp scent of blood and Leofric’s own warmth. Godiva closed her eyes. The comfort of his body seeped into her, and the exhaustion she had been forcing back finally overtook her.
“That’s right… my good wife….”
“….”
Bound by God, the two lay together in one bed, holding each other, and drifted into deep sleep. Pale morning light slipped softly through the window.
“Thank God.”
Those watching through the crack in the door sighed in relief.
“They both need rest.”
“Shh. Lower your voice.”
Click.
The door closed gently; the hem of the nanny’s gown flickered out of sight.
* * *
True to his strong constitution, Leofric recovered quickly. As Milton instructed, Godiva cleaned and rebandaged his wound each day. And each time, he would watch her closely. Under that steady, intent gaze, her cheeks reddened helplessly, leaving her flustered.
“Godiva.”
She felt as shy as she had the morning after their wedding night. Even when he called her name, she lowered her head, blushing deeply. Her long white neck, like snow beneath her golden hair, was revealed.
“Will you not answer me?”
“N-no….”
“You won’t even look at me?”
“It’s not that….”
Leofric pressed his lips to the pale curve of her neck and wrapped an arm firmly around her slender waist.
“Ah, Leo….”
She could not finish his name. Heat bloomed at the back of her neck, and a tremor ran through her.
“You shouldn’t overexert yourself.”
Leofric’s voice was tender, teasing rather than heedless.
“Overexert?”
At his low whisper against her skin, she shivered.
“How many nights has it been, do you think?”
“I….”
He tilted her chin upward and kissed her firmly. The suddenness made her sway, her long lashes trembling.
“Godiva.”
He asked as though giving her a choice—but there was none. She had always found herself persuaded by him. Closing her eyes, she answered as he wished. In an instant, he lifted her easily into his embrace, holding her close against his chest.
“Haah…”
As if savoring sweet nectar, Leofric sucked from Godiva. Braced by the hand supporting her hips, she arched her back, offering herself to him. But even when she tried to shy away, he followed without fail. He took her swollen b****t fully into his mouth, drinking from Godiva continuously.
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