CHAPTER 40: WILL HE COME OUT IF I CALL OUT TO HIM NOW?

The silent night seemed to echo after those words, as if the wind itself paused just to listen.

The leaves rustled softly above us, carrying a quiet chill that danced along my skin and made my hair stand. Fenric’s hand slid from my neck down to my waist, pulling me closer until our bodies met.

I gulped and then bit my bottom lip—perhaps a little more sensually than intended—but how could I help it?

He was handsome. Dangerous-for-my-heart handsome.

The kind of handsome that made you forget what you were about to do or say. He said words that made him seem like a helpless romantic and I couldn’t even respond because I was caught up in that smile on his lips.

"Fenric..." I murmured, unsure what the right word to say in this situation would be.

His ruby eyes flicked to my lips like he caught the slip, and his voice dropped lower, almost a growl,

"You shouldn’t do that."

"Do what?" I asked, feigning innocence, though the heat crawling up my neck betrayed me.

"That lip," he said simply, thumb brushing the corner of my mouth. "If you keep biting it like that, I might start thinking you want something from me."

"I want many things," I replied, lifting my chin just a little. "But I’m not sure you can give all of them."

His smile deepened as he murttered,

"Try me."

His words were tempting, and I was on my way to falling but I quickly looked away, tearing my gaze away from his and breaking the tension.

That was intense. A little longer and I might’ve actually pulled him in for a kiss.

But... Is there a reason not to?

Is there a reason to be so cautious?

He’s going to be my spouse, anyway. If not for my picky habit and the level of distrust I inherited from Arinya’s body, I would’ve already had him as my spouse.

So, it should be fine if I kiss him now and even do other things... I gulped, my breath caught at the edge... Other things, huh?

I must be losing it.

"Let’s get going," I said, holding his arm again. "I want to hurry and take a bath so I can sleep."

"Alright." He answered, no hint of disappointment in him and I was glad that was the case.

If he had seemed even a little bit disappointed, I might’ve just decided to go along with what he wanted right here and now.

We finally got to the lake, and it looked even more breathtaking than it did in the daytime.

The moon and stars reflected on the serene waters as if they were made for each other.

Is Damar still here? I wondered.

Will he come out if I call out to him now?

I looked at the water while resting my arm on the tree. Where does Damar sleep at night?

I remember seeing him slide towards that area... I flicked my gaze towards where his heavy shoulders had disappeared earlier... Does he have a shed where he sleeps, or does he just sleep under a tree?

I suddenly felt bad thinking of how I wasn’t being a proper spouse and providing him a place to stay.

I need to be responsible for my men from now on. I can’t let him keep sleeping outside and wherever any longer.

"Arinya, you didn’t give me a response," Fenric said and I turned to him.

"What response?"

"I asked if you’d let me protect you." He said and I blinked.

Oh. I didn’t think it was a question. When he said I should depend on him and stuff like that, it seemed like he had already made up his mind that he was going to treat me that way.

Even if it had been a question, I might’ve forgotten to respond because of how taken aback I was at the situation.

"You want to protect me? Fine." I answered. "You want me to depend on you? No problem. I don’t mind having other people do things for me. But there are some things that I would want to do on my own. When that time comes, don’t try to pull me down just because you want me to depend on you. Is that fine?"

He listened to this and then blushed. I don’t know what part of what I said made him blush but he did and nodded.

He grabbed my hand, clasped it in his, and then said,

"I know how incredible you are so I won’t try to stop you from doing whatever you want. You can count on me for other things." He said, a little too excitedly but I decided to take it as a good thing.

Something inside me nagged, though. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I have a feeling that he wanted to get this off his chest before we met Damar again, so he could properly take his standing next to me.

"Then, I’ll be in your care," I said and began walking towards the lake.

I took one brief glance at Fenric, with my face lightly heated, and then gulped.

He had seen everything before but it still felt awkward taking off my clothes in front of him.

"What are you waiting for?" I asked. "Am I the only one taking a bath?"

He flinched, his face equally heating up as this seemed like an invitation to bathe together.

Tigers may hate baths, but an invitation from one’s spouse to bathe together felt too good to resist.

Besides, he had no problem getting into the water earlier just to get to me.

"You want me to get in the water with you?" He asked and I chuckled at how gullible he was being.

"Do you see anyone else I might be talking to?" I asked and he shook his head.

"Then,"

This time, I won’t be the only one naked.

If we were both naked then it might feel a little less embarrassing.

But I swallowed that thought the moment Fenric pulled down the multiple layers of wrap he used as a skirt.

He wasn’t just built different up there, down there too... He was massive.

I gulped and turned my face away.

Should... should I start rethinking this whole harem thing?