The Raven Prince

Chapter nine

In Raven's bed chambers, Tatum sat in deep thought. In her head, she was running through multiple different options and scenarios of possible escape. Before she could completely work out any plausible resolution to her plot, she heard the door creep open.

In came a cheerful looking Raven, balancing a tray full of food in his large hands. "Greetings my princess, I bring nourishment for you." He made his way to Tatum's side and sat the tray on the surface at her side.

"I don't see Blue." Was all she said.

"Aye, I have sent my scout, Terrace, to retrieve your Blue Dog." Raven replies while setting the steaming soup in his lap as he seated himself on the edge of the bed directly in front of Tatum.

After listening to Raven refer to her golden retriever as 'blue dog' she could not help the giggles that eurrupt from her mouth. The sudden jolt caused her side to throb emincly. The giggle quickly turned to a groan as she clutched at her ribs.

Poor Raven nearly dropped the soup in a hurry to get her in his arms. "You have got to stop that, princess, I can't stand your pain. Calm yourself and then I shall feed you some soup." He cooed in her ear. Tatum, who was suddenly overcome with exaustion, could do nothing more than to lean into his strong, warm embrace. In that moment, she couldn't stop herself from thinking about how delicious he smelled. Like earth and spice, very masculine indeed.

After a bit, her ribs stopped their seizing and Raven had laid her back against the pillows. He reached down to pick open the now slightly warm soup that he had sat on the ground in his hurry to get to Tatum, and placed it back in his lap. Where he then proceeded to hand feed a now very weak and tired Tatum. She tried to protest at first, but had no strength to carry on, so she gave in.

The soup was delicious indeed, maybe someone could teach her the recipe sometime. She would very much like to serve it at her bakery, if she ever escapes that is. In her tired mind, she goes back over what Raven had said, suddenly something clicked.

"Terrace. You said something about Terrace getting Blue. How do you know Terrace? He can't be the one I know can he? He-- " Raven softly liked a long, calloused finger to her full, soft lips, making her shiver with pleasure for some reason. NO. Get it together Tatum, get it together.

His soft, rich voice interrupted her rant, "Shhh, love, you are exausted. Sleep now, in the morn, I shall answer your questions." Raven sat the now empty bowl back on the tray before crawling into bed beside his beautiful princess. She only grunted through her exhaustion, causing him to chuckle. He couldn't help but find her absolutely adorable.

He gently pulled her onto his chest, being mindful of her ribs, before humming a melody softly into her hair. Tatum couldn't fight the content smile that invaded her face as she fell asleep surrounded by his mouthwatering scent, strong arms, warm body, and sultry voice.