Allegiance

Chapter 44

Tessia stepped through the portal into Arthur's room, and the portal closed behind her. The room was lit with the light-emitting artifact, and Tessia looked around for Arthur. However, he was nowhere to be seen, and then, her eyes darted to the wall to her left. Several fist-sized holes with blood around the edges now filled the wall that weren't there before. She looked to her right, seeing the desk was split in half like someone had punched it straight in its center.

Tessia's heart ached at the sight, knowing Arthur had done this in his rage and passion for not being able to do anything. She easily knew Arthur wasn't attacked in his room since the room would've been destroyed, and the attacker's lifeless body would be lying on the floor.

In truth, Tessia half expected the room to be in a worse state than it currently was. She could only imagine the anguish Arthur was experiencing from just sitting here, feeling useless while his family was in danger. It made Tessia even more glad that she didn't show mercy to the mercenaries; in fact, it made her wish she had taken a little more time to ensure they felt the proper punishment.

Hearing the sound of water running, Tessia's head snapped to the bathroom door, seeing it cracked open. She approached the bathroom, opened the door slowly, and noticed the shower was on. Inside the shower was Arthur, his back to her. He was still fully clothed, his apparel drenched and clinging tightly to his body, showing off his well-defined back and arm muscles that made Tessia swallow hard at the sight. He used his splayed-out hands as a brace as he leaned forward, resting his head against the white tiled wall.

Tessia quietly entered the room, approaching the shower, and her eyes flicked to his hands. She noticed his knuckles were red from recently healed wounds, thanks to him being a white core. Wounds she assumed he acquired from punching the walls and breaking the desk. She then noticed his shoulders rise and fall rapidly from his breathing.

Tessia knew he was furious, filled with such rage that not even the armies of Sapin could contain his wrath if it was released. She took a breath, knowing she needed to tread carefully. Not because she was afraid he would hurt her—oh no, Arthur would never do that—but because Arthur was a ticking bomb right now, and if he were set off, he would go straight to Curtis and erase him from existence.

Tessia carefully and quietly slid open the glass shower door, Arthur too consumed by his thoughts to even notice her. She stepped up to him from behind, the water washing over her, drenching her white T-shirt to her hourglass frame. Carefully and gently, she placed her hands on his hips and felt him go rigid. She stepped closer to him, pressing her breasts into his back, feeling his comforting warm seep into her body. Her hands slowly glided forward and up his abdomen, tracing his eight-pack. She could feel how tense his body was, his abs so tight you could bounce a quarter off them. Her hands traveled higher, moving over his sculptured chest, and she could feel his chest rising and falling from his deep breaths.

Arthur stood frozen, feeling the familiar, comforting warmth pressing into his back. Her hands felt like electricity shooting straight through his entire body. And her breasts, feeling them pressing into his back, were giving him unholy thoughts. But he also felt a sense of relief with her here, knowing that she was okay. He had no doubts that his queen could handle herself, but that didn't mean he wouldn't worry about her.

Arthur kept his eyes closed, enjoying Tessia's warmth mixed with the cold tile pressing against his forehead. "My family?" He swallowed hard, trying to keep himself in control until he knew they were okay.

Tessia pressed her forehead into his rock-hard back, closing her eyes. "They're safe," She reassured in a gentle, calm voice.

"The mercenaries?" Arthur said tightly, his body tensing more, which Tessia didn't think was possible.