The Emperor's Shadow

Chapter Seven

A/N ~ This is for all of the touch-starved bitches out there. If you couldn't tell by the 1800 words I wrote about a fucking dressing scene, I desperately need human contact.

His hand fell away from his face, keeping his gaze constant on my eyes, "Little One?"

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"I have a request of you."

"Anything, Your majesty."

"A request, Little One, from your... companion, not a command from your Emperor. You may decline if you wish. In fact, as your Emperor, I command that you only abide by my request if you are comfortable. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," I answered without hesitation. Such build-up for one request. Whatever it be, I doubted there was something I would refuse the man before me even if only to see his eyes smile and receive a word of praise with a gentle pat on the crown of my head.

He studied me further for another moment before asking of me, "Would you come here, please?"

With nary a second's hesitation or overthinking and a soft smile at the request, I stood. Droplets ran in streams down my chest and arms as I moved towards him. The water level came up just above his hips when he was upright, but it only came close to the bottom of my ribcage at my full height. I couldn't find it in me to regret this in the least as hard eyes finally left mine and leisurely trailed down over my breasts and down to the curve of my waist. His arms which he had draped along the sides of the wall of the spring tightened as his fists clenched down on themselves. His harsh jaw was tensely set.

For the first time in my life, I felt sexual, attractive, enticing. Even a dimwit could discern desire this potent in a man, and he made no efforts to veil his appreciation for me. I stopped a pace away from him.

"My apologies, Your Grace, for straying so far." I almost smirked at myself for being so brazen.

His fists impossibly tightened and his jaw ticked. As I looked more closely, his hands were quivering in determination.

"Oh, Little Shadow..." it came out as something far too guttural to sound human.

A less aware man might take it as annoyance. I allowed myself a small smirk as I took him in. This man was struggling to maintain his composure.

Again we paused in the moment, partially to revel in it, partially to cool our heads before making the next step. My eyes never strayed from his and his found it taxing not to stray.

"Are you comfortable, Little One?" careful, measured.

"Yes, Your Majesty." I had no reason to lie. Perhaps I felt a bit vulnerable or even a bit anxious, but nowhere near uncomfortable or at all willing to stop whatever was happening. I had nothing to hide and nothing to be ashamed of. My body was a source of pride for me and I had not a single doubt I wanted to share it with this man.

"Then I will ask for more," he took a pause to breathe and I watched intently, appreciatively, "Gods may I touch you, Little One?"

I took a bit longer to answer this one, not out of shock or hesitancy, but out of pride, "You may, Your Majesty."

"Thank you." He breathed but did not move. I allowed him to take his time.

Then one giant hand unclenched and I could almost see the blood rushing back to his fingertips as the white faded from his knuckles. Whether it was to avoid startling me or for his own benefit, he moved slowly as he reached out towards my neck. I couldn't refrain from shivering as the rough skin tenderly skimmed my throat. Somehow even in a hot spring, my master had hands warm enough to make whatever part of me he wasn't touching feel left out in the tundra. He touched me with only the tips of his fingertips as if any more pressure would blow me away with the breeze. They trailed down to my shoulder then he allowed only his middle and forefinger to trail from the end of my collarbone briefly lingering at the base of my throat before gingerly continuing down to my sternum leaving gooseflesh in their blistering wake.