Cursed by Darkness (Once Upon A Curse)

15. Bodin

FIFTEEN

Bodin

When her daughter grew weathered and ill, Ronna gave in and went to her brother. She begged Theran to help her, to use his light to save her only remaining child. She pleaded with him, but he refused. So, she went to Eryx instead, to see if he could make her immortal like them. But he was no help either.

‘Your daughter is old and gray,’ he’d said. ‘She has lived a full life. She has had her own children and grandchildren. It is time to let her go.’

W aking up with Juniper in his arms was a new kind of torture. She must’ve rolled over in her sleep and now lay curled against his bare chest, almost glowing in the late morning light. The blankets had been shoved down at one point because of the added body heat, which meant he could see her thin shift. And it did not leave much to the imagination.

He was already hard, but now, seeing the way the fabric had bunched at the dip in her waist, revealing her upper thighs and the edge of her pantalettes… Bodin clenched his jaw and tried to focus on his breathing instead of the very thin material separating her breasts from his skin. He needed to get out of this bed, but he didn’t want to just leave her.

“Bo?” her soft voice said without opening her eyes. “Why are you so tense?”

“I… need to go take care of something.” He had one arm around her, but he barely managed to keep his other hand to himself.

“Just a few more minutes.” Juniper snuggled into him, her arm going across his stomach.

And then, her leg lifted to drape over his. She was practically lying on top of him. Whether it was to hold him there or because she was still partially asleep and unaware of her actions didn’t matter. What mattered was that she had brushed his cock through his undergarments, and a groan left his lips before he could stop it.

Her brow furrowed as she opened her eyes to look up at him. “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”

Any other day, he might have laughed. “No, love. But I need to get up.”

“Why?”

Had anyone explained human anatomy to her? She knew about sex on their wedding night, but he realized that in their discussion, she hadn’t mentioned anything specific. All of her knowledge came from books and overhearing gossip. That was what she’d said.

He sighed. “Because I am a man who likes women, and a very attractive one is currently lying against me in very little clothing. And if she doesn’t get off of me soon, she’s going to feel something I don’t think she’s ready for yet. Especially with her leg so close to the current situation.”

The crease in her brow deepened for a second before her eyes glanced down and saw the evidence for herself. With the blankets lowered, there was no hiding the tent in his pants. Her eyes widened, but to his surprise, she didn’t immediately pull away.

“Does it hurt?” she whispered.

“It might if I don’t take care of it.” He lifted a hand to cover it, but she reached out and stopped him, grabbing his wrist. “June…”

Her body was still firmly pressed against him, and he found himself playing with the ends of her hair with his free hand. The more she stared at him, the more his pulse quickened. He wanted her so badly. There was no denying it. The physical desire was never the issue though. The problem was that he couldn’t give her his shattered heart. It wasn’t fair to her.

“You should take care of it.” She met his gaze and visibly swallowed. “I don’t want you in pain.”

Gods save me. “Exactly. So, I should go?—”

“Show me,” she whispered to his horror—or was it delight?

The look on her face, the vulnerability and excitement, made it impossible for him to deny her, so he turned his arm, making her release him… only to grab her hand instead. Slowly, he guided her to his hardness. Her breaths grew unsteady. As did his. He stopped playing with her hair and instead let his fingers drift to her hip. With their joined hands, he showed her how to grip him, moving her palm up and down his length. He fought to keep his eyes open and on her. There was no way he was missing a second of this.

Juniper squeezed him slightly then stilled as he groaned. “Sorry.”

“No,” he said through his teeth. “Do it again. More, June.”

Bodin released her hand, and she started pleasuring him on her own. He reached to tilt her chin up and brought his lips down to hers. She kept rubbing him, stealing every other thought from his mind. Her tongue brushed across his, and he deepened the kiss. Her hand moved quicker, more confident as she seemed to learn what he liked.

“Fuck,” he hissed, breaking the kiss. He put his forehead to hers. “Don’t stop, June. I’m… Oh, gods. I’m going to come, Juniper. Don’t stop.”

She didn’t. His beautiful wife smiled and continued to build him up until he couldn’t take it anymore. Until he was groaning and twitching in her palm, releasing harder than he had in a really long time, if ever.

Bodin clenched his jaw as he spilled into his pants. Her hand slowed, but she didn’t remove it. Finally, he closed his eyes, attempting to calm down and steady his breathing.

After a moment, she said, “Was that…”

“Perfect,” he said between breaths. He had no other words for it.

When he looked at her once more, her cheeks were flushed. She had her lower lip between her teeth until she asked, “I did it right?”

“Yes.” He chuckled, sliding his hand into her hair. “You were incredible, my dear wife.”

The only thing that would’ve been better was coming inside her instead. But starting here was more than fine. If this was what she needed—to take it one step at a time—he could do that. He could teach her all about pleasure.

“Now, it’s your turn.” Bodin shifted, rolling them until she was on her back, and she let out an amused squeal that went straight to his heart. Just like her grin did when he hovered over her and slowly started tugging one of her sleeves off of her shoulder. He leaned down to kiss her collarbone while his fingers began exploring her curves. The feel of her beneath him as he lowered between her legs was so… right .

“Bodin, wait,” she said in a breathy voice. “We need to talk about something first.”

He froze, not liking that statement. He met her gaze and waited, their bodies pressed together. “What?”

Juniper licked her lips, and he could see the concern haunting her. Before he could address it or find out what was going through that pretty head of hers, however, a knock sounded and the door opened a second later.

“Just me,” Nadine said, strolling in and stilled at the sight of them. “Oh, sharing a bed now?”

“Impeccable timing as always, Nadine.” He glared over his shoulder at her.

“You were supposed to be up by now,” she argued. “How was I to know you were still in here? I’ve been helping her for two weeks, and you’re never?—”

“All right, all right.” Bodin let out a frustrated breath and rolled onto his back—thanking the gods that at least she hadn’t barged in on them a few minutes earlier.

Juniper smiled uncomfortably next to him, pulling the hem of her nightgown down from where it had risen high on her thighs. Her cheeks were still flushed, and if Nadine paid more attention, she would know they were up to something other than kissing in bed.

His wife met his gaze, and she seemed to relax. He leaned over to peck her cheek, hoping she didn’t regret what just happened. He sure as hells didn’t.

He wanted so much more.

Nadine frowned at their clothes hanging over the chair and the state of the dirty sheets. “You know what my favorite part about you two not sleeping together was? Not having to deal with the bedding each morning. It’s bad enough knowing what I’ll be cleaning up, but now you’re adding dirt and blood to the mix?”

“We were too tired to bathe after helping in the village all night.” Juniper sat up, and Bodin returned the sleeve of her nightgown to its proper place before putting a hand on her back. As if it was the most natural thing in the world. Something he did every day. His stomach churned as he realized he wouldn’t mind doing it every day. He wanted to wake up beside her each morning, discovering new ways to make her blush and come undone.

“Well, let’s get you clean now.” Nadine went to ring one of the bells near the tub that would call for hot water. “Bo, are you… sharing?” she asked hesitantly. She hadn’t been Camille or Beatrice’s lady’s maid—she’d been too young at the time. This was new territory for them. “If so, I’ll step out once the water is here.”

He looked at Juniper who crossed her arms to hug herself. Gone was the confident woman who just got him off. Shaking his head, he said, “Not this time.”

Later. They would continue this after visiting the village and after Juniper said what she needed to. He would wait until she was ready.

And then, he would lock that fucking door so no one could interrupt them again.

Despite not wanting to leave their bed, Bodin was glad they had. They needed to return to the streets of Kehlir, to the people who’d been hurt under his care.

Juniper stayed at his side, with Richard and Samuel following as usual. She didn’t hesitate to jump in where needed. They helped bring water and food to those who couldn’t get it themselves, checked on wounds, and talked to the soldiers posted throughout the main part of the city standing guard.

He found it a little easier to talk to the villagers today. With Juniper at his side, it didn’t seem as daunting. Guilt still coursed through him, especially with so many injured, displaced, or dead, but there was also pride. His people had rallied together last night. They had set aside any differences and worked side by side to protect this place and take care of each other, along with help from the men sent by Juniper’s father.

Though, in truth, Bodin had hoped for more. Only a couple dozen had arrived the week before, and it wasn’t enough to fully protect the city of thousands. But it helped. And it meant that even more had gone to the valley instead.

As Bodin and Juniper left one of the bridge posts, they spotted Laurent talking to the girl who’d helped them the previous night, Inaya. The healer’s daughter. He needed to thank her, make sure she was all right. She’d hinted that her mother had passed, but he wasn’t sure if it was in the attack or before. Did she have any other family to look after her?

Juniper slipped her hand into Bodin’s and asked as they approached, “Does he ever sleep?”

Of course, Laurent heard and grinned. He opened his mouth, no doubt to reply with a crass flirtation about going to bed for other reasons, but Juniper cut him off.

“Nope, don’t answer that.” She shook her head. “No inappropriate responses in front of the young and innocent.” When she pointed to the girl, Bodin couldn’t help but chuckle. He coughed to hide it but knew it didn’t work. Juniper glared up at him.

Leaning down, he whispered into her ear, “You’re one to talk.”

She elbowed him in the stomach as Inaya said, “I’m nineteen, not a child.”

“Oh, she’s a feisty one,” Laurent said. “Can we keep her too?”

“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” Juniper asked without missing a beat. “Someone else to irritate?”

Bodin laughed harder and kissed the side of her head, especially with Inaya’s look of shock and horror at their interaction. But he was thoroughly enjoying the fact that she wasn’t afraid to give it right back to Laurent when he was being obnoxious. He adored this woman. He definitely wanted to keep her .

The thought made his breath catch in his throat.

In the background, he heard Laurent pretend Juniper had hurt him. They playfully argued and teased each other. But Bodin couldn’t join in. His best friend and wife were friends who seemed to genuinely care about one another. She had grown close with Nadine too. In such a short amount of time, Juniper had become so ingrained into every aspect of his life. She was a part of him, whether he liked it or not.

And that was the problem.

He did like it.

He loved it.

Here he was, standing in the middle of his city, laughing and smiling where anyone could see him. She made him open up. Because of her, he felt the first shreds of happiness in six years.

Juniper didn’t simply make him happy though. It was much bigger than that.

She made him want to be happy. To live his life away from the shadows and grief. She made him want things beyond ending this war and doing what he could for his people.

She made him want to hope, to dream of a future.

“Your Majesty, are you all right?” Inaya asked, interrupting the other two, who snapped their attention to him.

Bodin took a deep breath and met Juniper’s gaze. He squeezed her hand with a nod, telling himself this time would be different. “Yes. I’m wonderful.”

Because by some miracle, the universe had brought Juniper to him. He’d needed her father’s soldiers, yes, but he was fairly certain he needed her more. Whether it was by the goddess, another entity, or the stars themselves, Juniper was sent to him.

He’d found the one person in this world who made him want to love again.