Married To The Mad Vampire Lord novel Chapter 268

Chapter 268: Labor_Part 3

"There." She smiled down at the basket with the pride of a queen admiring a cradle lined with gold and gems. "Our son’s bed is ready!"

He placed the washbasin on the floor, never taking his eyes off her. Then he stepped around it and gently cupped her face beneath the jaw.

"Rest now while I go bring the rising water for your bath."

She looked up at him, her hazel eyes glowing with trust. "Thank you, for everything. For this little dream house, and for being here with me."

Rohan shook his head, wanting to tell her not to thank him for what she truly deserved. But he swallowed the words for now, knowing there were things he needed to take care of quickly.

Returning to the bedroom minutes later with more water, Rohan found Belle standing in the washbasin, her body glistening with soap. She stood in half-profile to him, revealing the elegant curve of her back and the side of one breast.

The sight stirred something deep in him. Her body, softly rounded by pregnancy, seemed to carry a beauty that was wholly feminine, sacred in its purpose.

She passed the washcloth slowly down her belly and between her thighs, cleansing the path for the life soon to arrive. Rohan stood watching, breath held, unashamed, without the faintest urge to turn away.

Then suddenly, she was seized by a fresh wave of pain and dropped into a half-crouch. Her fist clenched the washcloth, sending soap bubbles plopping into the water.

Rohan moved as if shot from an arrow, crossing the room in a flash to wrap an arm around her slick, trembling body, steadying her through the storm of it. As the pain began to ease, he helped her down until she was perched on the rim of the tub, panting hard.

He felt useless, torn up inside, aching to do more than simply hold her. If he could’ve taken the next pain on himself, he would have.

When it passed, she slumped a little. "That was a strong one. Stronger than the first."

"Here. Kneel down."

She obeyed, and he rinsed her back, arms, and breasts, grateful to be doing something, anything, concrete. Then he helped her step over the edge of the tub, holding her steady as he dried her with a clean towel.

"Thank you, I can finish." She took the towel from him.

While he carried the basin away, she changed into a clean white nightgown and moved to gather what they would need. From beneath the bed, she retrieved a white cloth sack and drew out several large, folded dried leaves. Holding them carefully, she followed Rohan into the kitchen.

She paused in the doorway, watching as he spilled her bathwater outside the back door, then rinsed the basin and wiped it clean with a rag. As if sensing her presence, he turned and saw her standing there behind him.

"I don’t think you should be out here," he chided softly.

She sighed. "You must not work yourself with worry, Rohan. Please. For my sake?"

"That’s not an easy thing to do."

"I know." She saw the strain on his face and loved him all the more for trying to be strong. "But I need to talk to you. About what’s to come next and what you have to do."

"I know it all." He set down the basin. "I’ve read that book so many times, I swear I could recite the pages. But reading it and doing it are two very different things."

She reached for his hand and gave it a soft, sure squeeze. "You’ll do fine. I trust you."

She calmly took a pan and placed the dried leaves inside, covering them with water. Then, she set it to simmer on the rear stove burner.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify