The Emerald Manor

Chapter 24

With his chest pressed against hers he brushed an errant strand of hair off her face. Draco looked at Cora. The corners of his lips twisted up, color in his cheeks with his eyes hooded down towards her.

Having laid still for too long, the exhaustion of the evening was overtaking Cora, barely able to keep her eyes open.

Her body ached and was tender, bruises starting to form on her hips. She didn't know how late or early it even is or how long they had been down there.

He planted a tender kiss on her cheek. "Can you walk? We should get you to bed, a proper bed."

Cora slid her way down the bed. Draco helped her up. Once she attempted to stand, her legs buckled out from under her.

"Woah." Draco reached out to catch her before she fell. "Ok, easy love."

He picked her up, carrying her as he made his way up the basement stairs. As they got to the main floor, she saw it was still dark out, but the light of day was starting to pluck on the horizon. She laid her head on his shoulder unable to support it any longer.

They arrived in his bedroom; instead of placing her on the bed he moved into the bathroom, setting her down in the tub. He turned on the water to let it fill. He joined her, slipping in and guiding her down to his chest.

He spoke softly in her ear. "We'll get to you to bed soon love. I need to tend to you first."

She mewled her acknowledgement still resting her sleepy head on his chest.

"Was all of that, ok? Are you doing, ok?" Draco paused for her.

"Yes." She nodded at him, trying hard to hold her head up.

He took a soapy cloth gliding across various parts of her body. She let out a painful squeak as he washed the bruises on her hips.

"Did I hurt you sweetheart? That was never my intention."

She responded unfazed. "Just my, what did you call them? Oh, my war wounds."

The scent of her hair was wrapped around him. There was a faint smell of strawberries and lavender. "Well, I'll make sure your war wounds are well cared for."

He slipped out from behind Cora. He gathered a towel wrapping it around his own waist. "I'm going to help you stand up; hold on to me tightly."

She gathered herself up, putting all her weight into him. He supported her out to the bedroom, both of them crawling into bed.

He lay on his back pulling her close to him, her head resting on his chest, their legs intertwined. She was asleep in his arms in moments.

Cora heard a crinkling noise in her ears. She woke up in the same position she fell asleep in; she tilted her head back to see Draco awake reading a book.

He looked down to see her looking up at him. A smile just for her crossed his face; he put his book down on the table leaning down to kiss her forehead.

"Good morning love. Did you sleep well?"

She cooed in his direction. "Yes, it was blissful. Did you?" He sidestepped the question. "I enjoyed lying next to you."

He moved the blankets down pushing her hip to the side to examine her bruises from last night. He sighed. "These have gotten a bit worse. How bad do they hurt? Don't lie."

She pondered the question. "Hurts is not the right word, they are just tender. As long as you don't go poking them, I'll be just fine."

He seemed satisfied with her answer. He held her hand, brushing his thumb over her knuckles.