Eminence (Wattpad Edition)

Note 4 - Slow Start

Steam fogged the small bathroom mirror. The hiss of the shower filled the room, muffling the rest of the world. Warren stood beneath the stream, his head tilted back as warm water ran down his face, neck, and chest. He felt dazed, but not in a bad way.

Emanon stepped in behind him. She wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, her cheek resting against his back. Her skin was cool, always cool, but her presence warmed him anyway.

"I've never... done this before," she said.

He glanced back at her over his shoulder.

"Showered?"

She huffed a quiet laugh and buried her face in him. "No... I mean, being with someone like this. Someone contracted. Or maybe..." she paused, voice smaller, "Maybe it's just been so long... I forgot what it felt like, being so close to another person's soul."

Warren turned to face her. Water clung to her lashes. He brushed a damp strand of hair from her face and lifted her chin.

"Emanon, I want you to know something."

She looked up at him.

"I'm not doing this because I feel trapped or because of the contract. I'm here because I want to be. Because I chose you."

Her eyes shimmered.

"Thank you," she whispered.

He pulled her closer again, resting his chin atop her head. The water flowed around them, soaking into silence.

Eventually, Warren reached for the shampoo. "Alright," he said, nudging her, "we're doing this properly now."

She looked confused. "What?"

"Hey, don't disappear on me. What's with that expression? I just want to do something simple for you. Let me wash your hair."

"Tch, I'm not going to disappear... I'm not a ghost."

"Then stand still."

She tried to scowl at him but ended up smiling instead, tilting her head back as he lathered the shampoo into her hair.

After a while, Warren stepped out of the shower. A wave of nausea hit him, and the room tilted. It took real effort just to stay upright.

"Maybe you should drink some water and lie down..." Emanon said, catching his arm to steady him.

"My hangovers usually aren't this bad..." he muttered, gripping his face, wincing.

"Sure... but I've drank from you twice and we've had sex twice. That's a lot to ask of your body."

"I can handle sex." Warren said, sharper than intended.

Emanon exhaled and began guiding him toward the bed.

"I'm not saying you can't. But I'm not human... and I've drained you a great deal more than I should've."

Warren didn't respond. He just dropped backward onto the bed, one arm flung over his eyes.

Emanon watched him for a moment before returning to the bathroom. She came back with the hairdryer in hand.

"Sit up." she said. "Let me dry your hair. I don't want you getting sick on top of everything else."

He slowly pulled himself upright, struggling a little and she sat behind him, plugging in the dryer.

"You can lean back a little if it helps." she added.

He did, reluctantly.

"You don't have to take care of me like this," he said. "I'm fine. I can sleep it off."